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      Underdown is a legendary network of rugged and challenging single track that features 4 lakes, 5 bermed boardwalks and 64 hills through the vast Lincoln County Forest. A blend of old-school and machine-built trail overlaps a segment of the Ice Age Trail and a separate multi-use trail utilized mainly by horses. Camping is available for $15 at the Copper Lake Road trailhead or in the backcountry, especially at the Dog Lake primitive shelter and Underdown Lake. Riding the Underdown and Prairie Dells trails together can stretch the adventure beyond 30 miles. A snowshoe trail gives fat bikers a dreamy ride over frozen lakes and bogs.
      View region descriptions for other activity types
      Generic


      Mountain Bike
      Underdown is a legendary network of rugged and challenging single track that features 4 lakes, 5 bermed boardwalks and 64 hills through the vast Lincoln County Forest. A blend of old-school and machine-built trail overlaps a segment of the Ice Age Trail and a separate multi-use trail utilized mainly by horses. Camping is available for $15 at the Copper Lake Road trailhead or in the backcountry, especially at the Dog Lake primitive shelter and Underdown Lake. Riding the Underdown and Prairie Dells trails together can stretch the adventure beyond 30 miles. A snowshoe trail gives fat bikers a dreamy ride over frozen lakes and bogs.

      Nordic Ski
      The Underdown Recreation Area features about 20 miles of trails through a wonderful variety of scenery and terrain. The trails tend to be winding and undulating over numerous small hills in an area populated with dozens of kettle lakes. Several loops with varying degrees of difficulty make this system appealing to skiers of all skill levels. Most of the hills are small with short, quick descents that are suitable for most intermediates. Most of the more challenging hills offer an easy bypass route. Spruce and mixed pine often surround the trails along with aspen and mixed hardwoods.

      Trails are groomed weekly when snow conditions allow. Volunteers have established Fat Bike and Snowshoe trails in recent years adding to the variety of winter sports available here.

      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      Parking google parking directions
      Access Info:
      Camping is available for $15 at the Copper Lake Road trailhead or in the backcountry, especially at the Dog Lake primitive shelter and Underdown Lake.
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      Region Details
      • 4
      • 3
      • 9
      • 2

      Region Status
      Open as of Nov 3, 2024
      Local Trail Association

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      34
      Trails Mountain Bike
      18
      Trails E-Bike
      1
      Trails Horse
      2
      Trails Hike
      19
      Trails Trail Running
      18
      Trails Snowshoe
      5
      Trails Nordic Ski
      14
      Total Distance
      48 miles
      Total Descent Distance
      16 miles
      Total Descent
      3,668 ft
      Total Vertical
      265 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      1,660 ft
      Reports
      111
      Photos
      39
      Ridden Counter
      686

      Photos of Underdown Recreation Area Mountain Bike

      trail: Old School
      44 |
      Apr 22, 2024 @ 9:15am
      Apr 22, 2024
      trail: Octoberfest
      50 |
      Apr 22, 2024 @ 7:45am
      Apr 22, 2024
      39 |
      Jan 5, 2024 @ 5:55am
      Jan 5, 2024
      35 |
      Jan 5, 2024 @ 5:55am
      Jan 5, 2024
      38 |
      Jan 5, 2024 @ 5:55am
      Jan 5, 2024
      39 |
      Jan 5, 2024 @ 5:54am
      Jan 5, 2024
      38 |
      Jan 5, 2024 @ 5:54am
      Jan 5, 2024
      40 |
      Jan 5, 2024 @ 5:54am
      Jan 5, 2024

      Videos of Underdown Recreation Area Mountain Bike

      From the North Lot: Part 2

      58:05 | 129 | Apr 26, 2023
      From the North Lot: Part 1

      49:14 | 132 | Apr 26, 2023
      Underdown Trails in Merrill Wisconsin: Our...

      13:28 | 181 | Sep 9, 2022
      Underdown Recreation Area:...
      34:35 | 366 | May 9, 2021 , Merrill

      Recent Trail Reports

      statustraildateconditioninfouser
      XTRA Credit
      Jun 9, 2024 @ 5:47am
      Jun 9, 2024
      IdealSturdyvw
      The Hollow
      Jun 9, 2024 @ 5:47am
      Jun 9, 2024
      IdealTrails are disused and covered in twigs,...Sturdyvw
      Main Course
      Jan 4, 2024 @ 8:17am
      Jan 4, 2024
      IdealFrozen ground. Studded tires suggested...Candyj
      Connector/Disconnector
      Jan 4, 2024 @ 8:17am
      Jan 4, 2024
      IdealFrozen ground. Studded tires suggested...Candyj
      Doubletrack Connector
      Jan 4, 2024 @ 8:17am
      Jan 4, 2024
      IdealFrozen ground. Studded tires suggested...Candyj
      Connector
      Jan 4, 2024 @ 8:17am
      Jan 4, 2024
      IdealFrozen ground. Studded tires suggested...Candyj
      Octoberfest
      Jan 4, 2024 @ 8:17am
      Jan 4, 2024
      IdealFrozen ground. Studded tires suggested...Candyj
      Old School
      Jan 4, 2024 @ 8:17am
      Jan 4, 2024
      IdealFrozen ground. Studded tires suggested...Candyj
      Homestead Loop
      Jan 4, 2024 @ 8:17am
      Jan 4, 2024
      IdealFrozen ground. Studded tires suggested...Candyj
      Prairie Dells Connector
      Aug 19, 2023 @ 12:59am
      Aug 19, 2023
      Drysrpruss

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      executivedirectoraddeventactivity #63018038
      Dec 12, 2024 @ 8:27am
      Dec 12, 2024
      JulieNAsakwishlistregionactivity #61930958
      Nov 17, 2024 @ 7:36am
      Nov 17, 2024
      a0qCfdwishlisttrailactivity #61823706
      Nov 15, 2024 @ 10:56am
      Nov 15, 2024
      Edk7EKwishlistregionactivity #61560715
      Nov 10, 2024 @ 6:33am
      Nov 10, 2024
      Candyjaddreportactivity #61284062
      Nov 3, 2024 @ 5:34am
      Nov 3, 2024

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      AmpfrogtrailXTRA CreditThought this was going to be a flowy "Old...
      Oct 13, 2023 @ 5:27pm
      Oct 13, 2023
      AmpfrogtrailOld SchoolNon-stop short punchy climbs and fast rowdy...
      Aug 31, 2023 @ 2:31am
      Aug 31, 2023
      JohnTBxw9FtrailMain CourseTrack is in pretty good shape, still dry. ...
      Jul 7, 2023 @ 9:48am
      Jul 7, 2023

      Local Badges


      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesridelogs
      Mountain Bike1830 miles2,474 ft9 miles266 ft
      #4,412#2,044331094720
      E-Bike12,251 ft98 ft3 ft
      871
      Horse21 mile125 ft3,248 ft95 ft
      Hike1931 miles2,598 ft10 miles266 ft
      #3,585#1,869108425
      Trail Running1830 miles2,598 ft10 miles262 ft
      #3,595#1,87010642
      Snowshoe56 miles456 ft2 miles217 ft
      5
      Nordic Ski1417 miles1,070 ft6 miles102 ft
      #5132
      • By feardabeastTF Pro TRAILFORKS & contributors
      • Admins: CWOCC
      • #16218 - 10,261 views
      • underdown recreation area activity log | embed map of Underdown Recreation Area mountain bike trails | underdown recreation area mountain biking points of interest

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