RIDE SAFELY. RIDE RESPONSIBLY. · Toilet Showers Food Service Lodging Public Campground Shelter Picnic Area Playground ATV Wash Electric Hookups Hiking Trail Only Fire Tower City

2 Visit travelwisconsin.com

RIDE SAFELY.RIDE RESPONSIBLY.When used safely and responsibly,all-terrain vehicles are a great sourceof transportation, fun and familyrecreation. They are useful worktools and your passport to outdoorexploration. ATVriding can accessWisconsin’s endlessscenic beauty whilebuilding cama-raderie among fam-ilies and fellow rid-ers. Ride safely by controlling yourspeed and wearing a helmet. Rideresponsibly by staying on markedtrails and respecting both privateand public property. Staying on des-ignated trails is a simple way to pro-tect the environment. Shortcuttingor leaving trails causes erosion anddamages trailside plants.

SAFETY TIPS� Take an ATV safety course.

� Stay on the trails and other legalriding areas.

� Never consume alcohol or drugsbefore or during ATV operation.Consuming alcohol or drugs is afactor in nearly 40 percent of allATV fatalities.

� Wear your helmet! Even the mostminor accidents can cause severehead injuries if you are not wear-ing a helmet.

� Avoid excessive speeds. Travel at aspeed appropriate for the terrain,visibility conditions and your expe-rience.

� Don’t attempt wheelies, jumps orother stunts. These can have disas-trous results.

� ATVs are for off-highway use only.Never operate an ATV on publicroads unless the law permits it andyou use extreme caution. In gener-al, riding an ATV on a roadway orin a ditch is prohibited, but thereare times that it is allowed. See theentire rules booklet(www.dnr.wi.gov/org/es/enforce-ment/docs/atvregs.pdf) for furtherguidance, and then check with yourlocal officials for exceptions.

� ATVs are designed for one operatoronly. Never carry a passengerunless the machine is specificallymanufactured for a second person.

� Protective clothing is a necessity.Always wear an approved ATV hel-met, eye protection, boots, gloves,long pants and a long sleeved shirtor jacket. CARMEN JOPP

Wisconsin ATV Guide 3

ATV Safety TrainingRiding an all-terrain vehicle is excit-

ing and exhilarating. But in the hands ofan untrained operator, an ATV can alsobe very dangerous. ATV’s handle differ-ently than other vehicles. Accidents hap-pen fast, even during routine exerciseslike turning, riding over obstacles, or rid-ing on hills.

The purpose of the Wisconsin ATVSafety Training Program is to promoteresponsible, safe and ethical ATV use. Byparticipating in the program, studentsobtain a better understanding of theirobligations to the resources, thelandowner, other ATV users and them-selves.

If you want to enroll in an ATV safe-ty course, contact your nearest DNR serv-ice center or visitwww.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforce-ment/safety/upcoming.html.

Who is required to becertified?

All ATVers who ride on public ridingareas (trails, frozen waters, routes, per-mitted county and/or forest lands, etc.)who are at least age 12 and who wereborn on or after January 1, 1988 musthave completed a safety certification

course. These ATV operators must carrytheir safety certification card and theymust display it to law enforcement offi-cers when requested. Anyone 11 yearsof age or older is eligible to take theclass and receive a safety education com-pletion certificate. The certificate doesnot become valid until the child reaches12 years of age.

ATV exhausts and noiseUnusually loud ATVs disturb nearby

landowners, wildlife, and other recre-ators. That, in turn, hurts Wisconsin’sopportunity for more trails. Don’t modifyyour exhaust so that it’s louder than orig-inally manufactured. ATV noise must beno louder than 96 decibels when testedin accordance with standards. Remember– loud pipes hurt trails.

ATV registrationIf you live in Wisconsin or your ATV

is kept in Wisconsin for more than 15consecutive days, you must register yourATV with the Wisconsin Department ofNatural Resources to ride on WisconsinATV trails.

The All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)Registration Application must be validat-ed prior to operation of the machine.

ANN HARDEN

continued...


You can submit your application in per-son at one of several ATV ValidationStations. For a list of these stations visitdnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cs/registrations/snowatvstations.htm. The quickest and most convenient wayto renew or register your ATV is to visitdnr.wi.gov, 24 hours a day, seven days aweek. By using this method of register-ing your ATV you can print a validationreceipt that will allow you to operateyour ATV until you receive the registra-tion certificate and decals.

Paper ATV application forms are stillavailable and can submitted to DNR atthe address below. If you use this optionto register your machine, you must waituntil you receive your registration certifi-cate and decals prior to operating.

ATV Processing CenterPO Box 78701Milwaukee, WI 53278-0701

Customer Service staff are availableto answer your questions by calling (tollfree) 1-888-WDNRINFo (1-888-936-7463), 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. sevendays a week.

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)trail pass

Wisconsin law requires those whouse Wisconsin ATV trails to display eitherWisconsin registration, or an ATV trailpass if your ATV is in state for less than15 consecutive days. Funds from thisprogram are used to enhance allWisconsin ATV recreation. The trail passmay be purchased online at our OnlineLicensing Center(www.wildlifelicense.com/wi), or over thecounter at any license sales location. Tofind a location, visitwww.dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cs/licenseagents/. You can also purchase them by phoneat 1-877/945-4236.

For more ATV information, visit theWisconsin Department of NaturalResources website at www.dnr.wi.gov.

RIDE SAFELY.RIDE RESPONSIBLY.continued...

ATV Trail

ATV Road Route

Dual Use ATV/ Snowmobile Route

Dual Use ATV/Snowmobile Road Route

Other ATV Trail

Interstate Highway

US Highway

State Highway

County Highway

Town Road

County Line

Railroad

Section Closed to ATVs

Trailhead with Parking Lot

All Services

Gas

Water

Toilet

Showers

Food Service

Lodging

Public Campground

Shelter

Picnic Area

Playground

ATV Wash

Electric Hookups

Hiking Trail Only

Fire Tower

City

Town

Point of Interest

State Park or Forest

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MAP LEGEND

A NOTE ABOUT ATTRACTIONSThis guide includes informationabout many attractions near ATVtrails and intensive use areas. Mostof these attractions do not allowATVing on or to their properties.Attraction information is includedonly as a suggestion of things tosee and do out-of-the-saddle.


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Wild Rivers State Trail_______________________________6-7Valhalla Area Trails _________________________________8-9Tri-County Recreational Corridor ___________________10-11Iron County ATV Trails ____________________________12-13Dead Horse Run ATV Trail _________________________14-15Tuscobia State Trail_______________________________16-17Flambeau ATV Trail System ________________________18-19Cattail State Trail _________________________________20-21Chippewa County ATV Trails _______________________22-23Clark County ATV Trails ___________________________24-25Jackson County/Black River State Forest Trails______26-27Dyracuse Mound Recreational Area_________________28-29Marathon County/Burma Road Trail ________________30-31Harrison Hills ATV Trail ___________________________32-33Parrish Highlands Trail____________________________34-35Embarrass River ATV Park _________________________36-37Dusty Trails ______________________________________38-39Marinette County ATV Trails _______________________40-41Florence County ATV Trails ________________________42-43Riverview ATV Park _______________________________44-45Cheese Country Trail ______________________________46-47Wisconsin ATV Events_____________________________48-49ATV Rentals _________________________________________50

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TrailIndex


1Wild Rivers State TrailBarron, Washburn & Douglas Counties

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 104 miles one way fromRice Lake to just south of Superior.

DIFFICULTY: EasyTRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Parkingand trail access is available in Rice Lake,Sarona, Spooner, Trego, Minong, andSuperior. Access only in Gordon.

SEASON: Open year-round.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Tuscobia State Trail, Gandy Dancer StateTrail, Tri-County Corridor, SaundersGrade, and Stony Brook Trail.

NOTE: Just north of Rice Lake, the WildRivers State Trail connects with theTuscobia State Trail. ATVs are prohibitedon the Tuscobia from Rice Lake to nearAngus and Birchwood.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: The Tommy G.Thompson State Fish Hatchery, RailroadMemories Museum, and WisconsinGreat Northern Excursion Train inSpooner; Vista Fleet Cruises, FairlawnMansion, S.S. Meteor Museum, andBong WWII Heritage Center in Superior;and the Brule River State Forest in Brule.

LEGEND: For a complete listing of allicons, see page 4.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Wild Rivers State Trail715/635-4490www.dnr.state.wi.us/

Minong ATV Club Trail Conditions715/466-5000www.minongtrails.com

Rice Lake Tourism715/234-8888www.ricelaketourism.com

Spooner Chamber of Commerce715/635-2168http://chamber.spooneronline.com

Washburn County Tourism800/367-3306 or 715/635-9696www.washburncounty.org

Superior-Douglas County Chamberof Commerce800/942-5313 or 715/394-7716www.visitsuperior.com

Barron County Tourism715/537-6200www.co.barron.wi.us/tourism.htm

One of the longest trail systems in thestate, the Wild Rivers State Trail trav-erses three northwestern Wisconsincounties. The 104-mile trail is a for-

mer Omaha and Soo LineRailroad grade that par-allels US Hwy 53 fromRice Lake to Superior.

Located in the RedCedar Valley ofWisconsin, Rice Lake is ahotbed of outdoor recre-ation. The southern trailheadis located near Hwy 48 and Cty SS. Threemiles north of town, the Wild Rivers StateTrail connects with the Tuscobia State Trail.While it might be tempting to take theTuscobia east, ATV use is prohibited fromRice Lake to near Birchwood (about 10miles).

The Wild Rivers Trail continues northfollowing Cty SS as it crosses to the westside of Highway 53 through the town ofHaugen and into Washburn County. It’s aneasy ride into Sarona, where you can makea quick pit stop for gas. North of Saronathe trail meanders along Hwy 53 for a fewmiles before veering northwest into deepforest sections. Riders will enjoy the widesweeping turns and spectacular views. Ifyou’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse ofdeer and other wildlife.

In Spooner you’ll find plenty of foodand lodging choices. Off the 4-wheeler,you can tour the Tommy G. ThompsonState Fish Hatchery (715/635-4147) or theRailroad Memories Museum (715/635-3325, www.spoonerwi.com). If you’re areal railroad buff, you might like a trainride aboard the Wisconsin Great NorthernRailroad Excursion Train (715/635-3200,www.spoonertainride.com).

From Spooner, the trail cuts back tothe northeast around the northern edge ofSpooner Lake. An easy ride brings you toTrego and the Namekagon River, which ispart of the St. Croix National ScenicRiverway. Be sure to stop on the bridgenorth of town to take in the vista of therolling, winding waterway.

Heading north, the trail winds pastLampson skirting the eastern shore of


Lake Superior

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Duluth

Trego

Minong

Wascott

Bennett

Lampson

Gordon

SolonSprings

Spooner

Haugen

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Sarona ShellLake

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Tri-CountyTrail

Silver Lake on the way to Minong. Justsouth of town the Wild Rivers meets theStony Brook Trail, a new 22-mile traildeveloped by the Minong ATV andSnowmobile Club. The trail connects theWild Rivers State Trail with Sawyer Countytrails to the east.

Leaving Minong, the Wild Rivers Trailcontinues north past Wascott and Gordonto Solon Springs in Douglas County. SolonSprings marks the north/south watershedbetween the Lake Superior basin and theMississippi River basin. From here, the St.Croix River tumbles southwest 200 miles tomeet the Mississippi at Prescott. In themarshes just north of town, the Bois BruleRiver begins its run in the opposite direc-tion – north to Lake Superior through the48,000 acres of the Brule River State Forest(715/372-5678, www.wiparks.net).

In Solon Springs, riders can take asmall spur trail that heads east to a gasstation and restaurants. The trail termi-nates at the St. Croix Inn with access toUpper St. Croix Lake. Just to the north,Lucius County Park overlooks the lake with24 campsites nestled among large whiteand red pines.

Three miles north of Solon Springs thetrail leaves Hwy 53 behind, angling north-west to a trailhead just south of Superior.This final twenty miles is among the mostscenic of the entire trail passing stream andforest without the hum of highway traffic.

There’s plenty to see in Superior.Cruise the harbor aboard Vista FleetCruises (218/722-6218,www.vistafleet.com). Tour FairlawnMansion or the SS Meteor Museum(715/394-5712, www.superiorpublicmuse-ums.org). See a real P-38 Lightning at theRichard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center(888/816-9944, www.bongheritagecen-ter.org). Or, watch waterfalls at PattisonState Park (715/399-3111,www.wiparks.net).

TOURISM

PHOTO

FILE

Sunset on the Bois Brule River.

2


Jutting out into the largest freshwater lake in the world, BayfieldCounty is a jewel of natural resourcesand wonderful scenery.

The ATV trails here flowthrough county andnational forest lands.Notably, many trailsglide through the north-ern part of theChequamegon-NicoletNational Forest.

The Valhalla Area Trails area popular destination for ATV enthusiasts.The Valhalla Trail, also known as theValhalla Recreation Area, is positioned 10miles west of the town of Washburn,which sits right on the big lake. With plen-ty of lodging, services and attractions,Washburn is accessible via ATV. It also canoffer a relaxing diversion from a day on thetrails. If roughing it is more your style, youcan find campsites at Memorial Park andThompson’s West End Park (715/373-6160;www.cityofwashburn.org) on the shores ofLake Superior. Several sites overlookChequamegon Bay with picturesque views.Both parks are operated by the city andoffer a number of amenities.

Many trails in this region are num-bered for easy reference. The 15.3-mileValhalla Trail system is an easy loop ridethat takes you on Trails 35/31 on the northand west sides to Trails 13/33 on the southand east sides. Here you’ll experience plen-ty of rolling terrain and wooded sections.

You’ll also come across other trailsalong this route. The 2.3-mile WashburnTrail connects Valhalla through an areacalled Sun Bowl – an 80-acre glacial pit –as it exits the forest and onto county ATVroutes.

Within the Valhalla Trail system, theRidge Top Trail is a 1.1-mile stretch that’s alittle more difficult due to one of thelongest, steepest climbs in the area. Butdon’t let that stop you. It climbs the southside of Mount Valhalla where you’rerewarded with scenic views. The trail loopsback to the Valhalla Trail. Nearby, theValhalla Trail Lodge (715/292-7546;www.valhallatraillodge.com) on the edge

ValhallaArea Trails

Bayfield County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 78 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): For theValhalla Trail, the trailhead is west ofWashburn off Cty C and FR 505. To thesouth, access is available from FR 435near Wannebo Road and off CherryvilleRoad near Barrens Road. To the west,access is available in Iron River and offEast Long Lake Road. The Battleaxetrailhead is near the Battle Axe Roadand Flag Road intersection.

SEASON: Many trails close in thespring until the ground dries. Call fortrail updates or visit www.travelbayfield-county.com.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Tri-County Corridor, Buckskin Trail, andBear Paw Trail.

FEES: Daily parking fees are required atsome U.S. Forest trailheads. The passcan be purchased on site. Annual pass-es also are available.

CAUTION: The speed limit on allBayfield County trails is 40 mph. Thecounty also passed a sound ordinance.Noise from an ATV cannot exceed 96decibels. Some routes are availablethrough cities and towns. Be sure tofollow the posted ATV route.


AREA ATTRACTIONS: White WinterWinery.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:U.S. Forest Service – WashburnRanger District715/373-2667

Bayfield Chamber of Commerce800/447-4094 or 715/779-3335www.bayfield.org

Ashland & Bayfield County Tourism 800/472-6338 or 715/373-6125www.travelbayfieldcounty.com

Washburn Chamber of Commerce800/253-4495 or 715/373-5017www.washburnchamber.com

Iron River Chamber of Commerce800/345-0716 or 715/372-8558www.visitironriver.com


of the Chequamegon-Nicolet NationalForest offers 10 cabins for a cozy rest anddirect access to the trail.

From the Valhalla Trail, riders can takethe Lenawee Trail (Trail 40) west 12 milesto the Old Baldy Trail. The easy ride travers-es mostly sandy soils and follows a railroadgrade part of the way. Along the route,you’ll see many mature pine plantationstands.

On at the Old Baldy, the 4.2-mile con-nector is an easy ride through a pine for-est. It also accesses the must-see Mt. BaldyOverlook. On a clear day, you can see formiles over Lake Superior. Some even sayyou can see Minnesota off in the distance.

Heading south on the Battle Axe Trailbrings you to Iron River where food, fueland lodging are available. For those whowant to be close to nature, there are severalarea campgrounds (www.visitironriver.com).If you are staying in Iron River and theATVs are put away for the day, a trip toone of Wisconsin’s wineries might be inter-esting. The White Winter Winery (800/697-

2006 or 715/372-5656; www.whitewin-ter.com) makes a special “mead” winemade of honey, water and yeast.

After an evening in Iron River, you canconnect to the Tri-County Corridor Trailthat heads east. Just outside of town is theIron River Trail (Trail 31/21). At 18.5 mileslong, it is the longest trail in the area. Italso is heavily traveled because it connectsIron River with the Valhalla Trail. It rollsthrough pine forest and barren areas.Sensitive environmental habitats here makeit important to stay on the trail.

South of Iron River you can follow the11.5-mile long Buckskin Trail (Trail 31) tothe 13-mile long Bear Paw Trail that leadsto Drummond. While they’re both easyrides, you’ll encounter more rocky terrainand some areas are prone to puddling.

With Lake Superior as a backdrop andthe diverse terrain, ATV enthusiasts willfind plenty of fun in Bayfield County. Withso much to see and do, many return againand again.

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Tri-CountyRecreational Corridor

Douglas, Bayfield & Ashland Counties

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 62 milesDIFFICULTY: EasyTRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Trailaccess and parking is available inSuperior, Iron River, Brule, and Ashland.Access only in Poplar and Maple.

SEASON: Open year roundOTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Saunders Grade, Gandy Dancer StateTrail, Valhalla Area Trails, Dead HorseRun.

CAUTION: Trail is open to other out-door enthusiasts. Please use cautionand good trail etiquette to ensure theenjoyment and safety of all trail users.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: Amnicon FallsState Park, Brule River State Forest,South Shore Brewery, Northern GreatLakes Visitors Center.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Ashland Area Chamber ofCommerce800/284-9484 or 715/682-2500www.visitashland.com

Bayfield County Tourism &Recreation800/472-6338 or 715/373-6125www.travelbayfieldcounty.com

Douglas County ForestryDepartment715/378-2219www.douglascountywi.org

Poplar

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As the name suggests, the Tri-CountyRecreational Corridor is a rail trailacross three counties in northernWisconsin connecting

the port cities of Superiorand Ashland.

In the late 1800s,settlers mined the thickpine and hardwoodforests along the south-ern shore of Lake Superior.The railroad took that timberto market along with areafarm products. The rail line was, indeed,the lifeblood of frontier commerce.

Today, that same rail bed is thelifeblood of area recreation. In 1987, localgovernment purchased the right-of-wayand converted it to a recreational trail forall to enjoy. Since then, the 62-mile trail,which follows Hwy. 2, has been a popularroute for ATV enthusiasts, snowmobilersand mountain bikers.

On the trail’s western end, Superioroffers a variety of historic and scenicattractions, (see Wild Rivers State Trail,pages 6-7). Heading east, the trail is linedwith the lush green trees that make upnorthern Wisconsin. With its hard packedsurface, the Corridor is an easy ride thatallows you to sit back and take in all the

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the “River of Presidents,” having beenfished by Ulysses Grant, Grover Cleveland,Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover andDwight Eisenhower.

Just to the east, you cross intoBayfield County and head into Iron River.The former logging town welcomes ATVriders with a full slate of services includinglodging, dining, and ATV rental and repair.From here you can connect to the expan-sive Valhalla Trail system (see pages 8-9).

On the last leg of the Tri-County, fromIron River to Ashland, you’ll traverse 25miles of varied terrain. The first half isheavily wooded, especially through a four-mile lobe of the Chequamegon-NicoletNational Forest. As the trail clears the for-est, it doglegs north, then east againthrough more open farmland to Ashland.

In Ashland, you’ll find all the ameni-ties and plenty to do. A series of sevengiant murals painted on downtown build-ings depicts the city’s history. The SouthShore Brewery on Main Street offers toursyear-round (715/682-9199,www.southshorebrewery.com). Just westof town the Northern Great Lakes VisitorCenter (715/685-9983, www.northern-greatlakescenter.org) offers interpretive andhistoric exhibits, visitor information and tripplanning.

Best of all, from the trailhead onSanborn Avenue it’s a short walk toChequamegon Bay on Lake Superior. Theviews of the big lake are a great way tostart or end a day’s ride.

beauty the area has to offer. Along thetrail, you might see a variety of wildlifeincluding turkeys, deer, bear and even tim-ber wolves.

Ten miles east of Superior, the trailtravels just south of Amnicon Falls StatePark (715/398-3000, www.wiparks.net).While not accessible from the trail on anATV, the park is a sanctuary well worth ashort hike. It holds many clues to the histo-ry of northern Wisconsin. In addition, theAmnicon River cascades over the spectacu-lar rock formations at the park’s upper andlower falls. The park has 36 campsites.Fees apply for parking and camping.

Heading east, the tree-lined trailopens up just west of Poplar, where youcan catch a glimpse of the area’s severalfarms. Food and fuel are available inPoplar, the hometown of Major RichardBong, the most decorated pilot of WorldWar II. Bong downed 40 enemy planes inthe Pacific and earned the CongressionalMedal of Honor. The Richard I. Bong WWIIHeritage Center in Superior includes areplica of his P-38 fighter, named for hiswife “Marge.”

After rolling through farmland, thetrail dives into the forest west of Maple, apleasant crossroads hamlet. From here, thetrail parallels the northern edge of Hwy. 2all the way to Brule, where you’re sur-rounded by the Brule River State Forest(715/372-5678, www.wiparks.net). This40,000-acre forest protects the Boise BruleRiver, famous for its whitewater canoeingand trout fishing. The Brule is known as

4


On the edge of Lake Superior andbordering Michigan’s UpperPeninsula is an ATV paradise calledIron County. A combination of well-

thought-out trails, friendlytowns, active ATV clubsand an involved localgovernment has pro-duced a sophisticatednetwork of summer-onlyand year-round trails, mak-ing it one of the top go-toplaces in the state. The trailsystem is so well developed that you canvisit nearly every major town in the countyon an ATV.

The area has the welcome mat out allyear long, allowing ATVers to enjoy thetrails in their favorite season. A perfecttime to visit is during the Memorial DayWeekend ATV Rally. This popular event fea-tures competitions, activities and, ofcourse, lots of riding. At the Rally’s 20thanniversary in 2005, a Guinness record wasset for the largest ATV parade ever. A totalof 687 ATVs participated. (Since then, therecord has been broken, but Iron Countyaims to get it back.) Another popular eventis the annual Pumpkin Run ATV Rally whichtakes place in October. In addition to somegreat and colorful fall riding, there’s food,live music, dancing and other fun activities.

Even when the Hurley-Mercer areaisn’t hosting a rally, there’s plenty to seeand do on ATVs. The county’s 200 miles ofwell-marked trails thread between towns,making the entire area well connected.Adventurous types might be tempted totake in as much as possible in a single day.With the wide network of trails, though,it’s best to make a weekend (or more) of it.

Trail 17 forms the major north-southartery between Hurley and Mercer; a quickand easy 24-mile roll. While the trail is athoroughfare of activity, the real fun startson the county’s many spur trails. Alongmany of those trails, remnants of IronCounty’s logging and mining eras are stillvisible. Near Montreal, the Plummer MineHeadframe is a reminder of the county’sheyday as a regional center of iron mining.The 80-foot headframe is the last one

Iron County ATV Trails

Iron County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 200 milesDIFFICULTY: Easy to difficultTRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): You canpark for the day at six spots: Oneida Salesin Hurley, the Frontier Bar & Campgroundin Saxon, Sidekick’s Bar & Restaurant inIron Belt, Squeak’s Bar & Restaurant inPence, the Yukon Inn in Oma, and onRailroad Street in Mercer.

SEASON: Each year, the trails close for afew weeks during the spring thaw. Callahead or check the Web for closures.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Dead Horse Run, Flambeau ATV Trails

NOTE: Many towns allow ATVs on theroads. Be sure to follow the 25mph speedlimit. Snowmobile trails posted with ATVsigns are open to ATVs in the winter.However, when the temperature risesabove 30 degrees, ATVs are prohibited.

CAUTION: Because of the popularity ofthese trails, always use caution andwatch for oncoming traffic.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: Iron CountyHistorical Museum, Mercer HistoricalMuseum, Plummer Mine Headframe,area waterfalls.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Iron County Development Zone715/561-2922www.ironcountywi.com

Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce866/340-4334www.hurleywi.com

Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce715/476-2389www.mercercc.com

ANN HARD

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AshlandCountyTrails

the harbor. With several miles of sandybeach, you can take a break from riding inexchange for a hike on the beach whilethe clear, fresh water laps at your feet.

Iron County’s off-trail attractions aremany. Hurley’s 19th century courthousehas been turned into the Iron CountyHistorical Museum with two floors of min-ing, farming and logging exhibits,(715/561-2244, www.hurleywi.com). Tothe south, Mercer is the gateway to thepristine, 19,000-acre Turtle-FlambeauFlowage perfect for fishing, boating,canoeing and wildlife observation. Historybuffs can also check out the MercerHistorical Museum housed in its 1905 rail-way depot (715/476-9191).

In Iron County, the ride is fine.

standing in the state and is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.

Iron County boats fifteen waterfalls.South of 3,300-acre Gile Flowage, ATVTrail 13 passes Spring Camp Falls on theMontreal River. You’ll also find waterfallsnear Upson, Saxon Harbor, Montreal andHurley.

While rated difficult, Trail 6 west ofHurley and Montreal is a popular destina-tion. The narrow, winding trail can makefor some anxious moments – especially ifit’s wet – but those who venture on it arerewarded with spectacular vistas of theLake Superior landscape.

Another popular destination is SaxonHarbor on the shore of the lake. Trails 2and 3 wind through the dense forest to

5


One of the more challenging trail sys-tems in Wisconsin is the Dead HorseRun Trail. Once lightly traveled byATV enthusiasts,

more and more are dis-covering the system. It’sno wonder; the trail’sdiverse terrain andNorthwood’s scenerymake it an experience you’llenjoy.

The peculiar name comesfrom an incident that occurred in the early1900s. A team of horses broke throughthe ice on a slough just east of Clam Lakeand were never recovered. The sloughbecame known as Dead Horse Slough andthe name later transferred to the trail.

The Dead Horse intersects theTuscobia State Trail just west of Park Falls.The trails of the Flambeau River StateForest are just to the south, while theFlambeau ATV Trail is just east of Park Falls.This trio of trails centered on Park Falls canmake for great long-distance riding.

The trail traverses a remote area.You’ll encounter lots of rocks, trees, wet-lands, creeks and rivers. Due to the heavyforest canopy, the trail can be wet withstanding water. Fuel is available only inClam Lake at the northwestern edge of thesystem or in Park Falls or Winter. Be pre-pared for the unexpected; carry tools andother necessities.

Speaking of the unexpected – on thetrail you might hear or see elk. In 1995,Wisconsin re-introduced elk in this part ofthe forest. Today, the Clam Lake herd isestimated at 135 animals.

Entering from the Tuscobia State Trail,the Dead Horse cuts north through theChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.Eight miles in you’ll hit a spur that leadssouthwest to the parking area at CampLoretta. Continuing north, you’ll cross theChippewa River and follow it to an inter-section with Grass Road, where you’re justa mile south of the Stock Farm BridgeCampground on the shore of the river.

As the trail winds farther north, itbecomes rockier, adding to the challenge.Twelve miles north of Stock Farm Bridge

Dead Horse RunATV Trail

Sawyer & Ashland Counties

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 56 milesDIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult

TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): A smalltrailhead is located on the east shore ofDead Horse Slough about two mileseast of Clam Lake on Highway 77.Another trailhead is just north ofLoretta. From the intersection of Hwy.70 and County Hwy. GG, drive north2.6 miles on GG. Turn left on Fire Road621 to the entrance to an old CCCcamp, which is the trailhead.

SEASON: May 1 to March 14

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Tri-County Corridor, Tuscobia State Trail,Flambeau River State Forest Trail,Flambeau ATV Trail System

NOTE: Be on the lookout for fallentrees and branches and large rocks onthe trail.

CAUTION: Because of the remotenessof the trail and its length, be sure tocarry extra fuel, food and water.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: An elk herd inthe Clam Lake area.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Chequamegon-Nicolet NationalForest715/762-2461www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/

Great Divide Ranger District715/264-2511

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Campground, the trail hits the southernend of a 23-mile loop that crowns the trail.You can run the eastern side of the loop toa spur that continues an extra seven milesto Cayuga. Or, you can ride the westernside past Dead Horse Slough and northalong Dingdong Creek. Just north of ForestRoad 182 a spur trail runs west 6 milesinto Clam Lake.

Just north of town the National ForestService operates a campground on theshores of Day Lake. Accessible to ATVs, thecampground offers 52 campsites that can

accommodate anything from tents to RVs.Day Lake is full of smaller muskies, so ifyou’ve brought your fishing gear, throw abucktail off the pier and wait for a strike.

Clam Lake is one of the few places onthe Dead Horse Run to refuel your quadand grab a bite to eat before doublingback on this round-trip ride.

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The Tuscobia State Trail is a 74-mile,multi-use, rails-trails conversion thatspans four counties in northernWisconsin. It was once the Omaha

Line and for seventy yearsit was the transportationbackbone of the region’slogging and farmingindustries. It took 15years to build the linebetween Rice Lake and ParkFalls. When it was completedin 1914, it quickly became thebest way to transport pulpwood to theburgeoning Flambeau Paper Mill in ParkFalls. But times changed. By the mid-50sthe line was abandoned in disrepair. In1968, development of the Tuscobia StateTrail began.

While the full length of the trail is 74miles, only 62 miles are open to ATVs. Thewesternmost 12 miles of the trail, fromRice Lake to Birchwood, are closed toATVs. Despite that, the trail fromBirchwood east to Park Falls offers someterrific scenery and plenty of ATV adven-tures. With six towns along the route,lodging, food and fuel are readily available.

In Park Falls, a large parking area islocated at the Park Falls-Tuscobia TrailheadCounty Park, which has an ATV loadingramp. The city of Park Falls is ATV friendly;riders can travel through town on posted

TuscobiaState Trail

Barron, Sawyer & Price Counties6JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 62 miles one way fromPark Falls to Birchwood.

DIFFICULTY: Easy.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): In RiceLake and in Park Falls.

SEASON: April 15 to November 15.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Wild Rivers State Trail, Flambeau TrailSystem, Flambeau River State ForestTrail, the Pine Line Trail, GeorgetownTrail, and Dead Horse Trail.

NOTE: The Tuscobia is closed to ATVuse from Rice Lake to Birchwood.Traveling on posted roads in Park Falls ispermitted; signs will indicate designatedroutes. Headlights and taillights must beon within the city limits. Drivers andpassengers under the age of 18 mustwear a helmet.

CAUTION: Trail is open to other out-door enthusiasts. Please use caution andgood trail etiquette to ensure the enjoy-ment and safety of all trail users.

FEES: None.LEGEND: For a complete listing of allicons, see page 4.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Friends of the Tuscobia Trail800/762-7179www.tuscobiatrail.com

Park Falls Area Chamber ofCommerce800/762-2709www.parkfalls.com

Price County Tourism800/269-4505www.pricecountywi.net

Winter Area Chamber of Commerce800/762-7179 or 715/266-2204www.winterwi.com

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roads. If you like camping, Smith LakeCounty Park & Campground just west ofthe city has direct access to the trail.Located on the shores of the FlambeauRiver, the park offers year-round electrichookups, flush toilets and showers Aprilthrough October, and an ATV loadingramp.

Park Falls is a district headquarters forthe nearby Chequamegon-Nicolet NationalForest. At the district office, (1170 4th AveS), you can pick up a map showing the for-est roads and trails posted for ATV use.

Heading west on the Tuscobia StateTrail, you’ll encounter varying terrain fromthick forest sections to open expanses thatcross creeks and streams that are tributar-ies of the Flambeau River. Crossing intoSawyer County, you’ll hit a spur trail run-ning south 40 miles into the FlambeauRiver State Forest.

Back on the Tuscobia, the next two lit-tle towns are Draper and Loretta wherefood and fuel are available. Here, the oldrailroad bed on which you ride is ever pres-ent – beneath the sod of the trail you canstill see the old railroad ties. The trail cutssouthwest, crossing the Brunet River on itsway to Winter. Stop to check out the river,known for its musky and trout fishing.Food, fuel and lodging are available inWinter (www.winterwi.com). You mightwant to check out the original railroad sta-tion downtown to catch a glimpse of the

golden age of the railway in northernWisconsin.

From Winter, the trail runs west tomeet the Chippewa River at Ojibwa. Justbefore reaching town, Ojibwa Park(715/266-5923) offers 350 acres of heavilywooded land with campsites and electrichookups. For those traveling the Tuscobia’sentire 62 miles, this marks the halfwaypoint. In Ojibwa, just south of the trail, his-tory buffs might take note of a large whitehouse. Once a hotel that was built in the1870s, it is the oldest standing building inSawyer County.

From Ojibwa, the trail follows theChippewa River to Radisson – a particularlypretty stretch offering some great views ofa wild river. From Radisson, the trail paral-lels Hwy 27/70 to Couderay where itbreaks southwest diving deep into miles oflush, green forest on its way to Birchwood.This 17-mile section crosses the Blue Hills,remnants of an ancient mountain rangethat towered above northern Wisconsin abillion years ago.

Birchwood is the end of the ATV lineon the Tuscobia State Trail. (Note: riderscan cross the bridge to the west side ofthe Red Cedar River to connect with trailsheaded north.) From here, hikers on theIce Age National and State Scenic Trail fillthe last 12 miles of the Tuscobia to itswestern terminus at Rice Lake.

7


Rolling through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in north cen-tral Wisconsin, the Flambeau ATVTrail System offers some of the most

scenic riding in the state.These trails are a favoritewith ATV enthusiasts.Throughout the systemyou’ll ride tree-lined cor-ridors through rolling ter-rain. You’ll cruise past someof the 98 lakes, 45 streamsand three major rivers in thecounty. And with three other interconnect-ed trails and trail systems in the area – theFlambeau River State Forest trail system,the Tuscobia State Trail and the DeadHorse Run trail – the riding options arenearly endless.

In addition to the natural splendorthat waits around every bend, there areseveral must-see attractions unique to thiscorner of Price County.

Starting from the Blockhouse Laketrailhead/parking area, you’ll cruisethrough the thick forest on Trail 111. Just

Flambeau ATV Trail System

Price County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 70 miles.DIFFICULTY: Moderate.

TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): In addi-tion to trailheads in Park Falls andFifield, there are five parking areas onthe trail system: the Wintergreen park-ing area on Hwy 70 near FR 136 (park-ing pass required); Sailor LakeCampground (parking pass required); atBlockhouse Lake; at Round Lake (park-ing pass required); and on Hwy 182near FR 149.

SEASON: May 1 to March 14.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Dead Horse Run, Tuscobia State Trail,Georgetown ATV Trail, Flambeau RiverState Forest Trail, Pine Line Rail Trail.

FEES: For some parking areas, a park-ing pass is required. A daily parkingpass ($5) can be purchased at the park-ing areas, or an annual sticker can bepurchased at the C-NNF office in ParkFalls or at certain area businesses.

CAUTION: The Camp Nine Springstrail is suggested for experienced ridersonly. Use caution when traveling thisrolling and rocky trail.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Round LakeLogging Dam, Smith Rapids CoveredBridge, Wisconsin Concrete Park,Timm’s Hill County Park.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Price County Tourism Department800/269-4505 or 715/339-4505www.pricecountywi.net

Park Falls Area Chamber ofCommerce800/762-2709 or 715/762-2703www.parkfalls.com

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beyond the parking area, you can headsouth toward Sugar Bush Road and thesouthern parts of the trail, or continue easttoward Camp Nine Springs. The NineSprings Trail is a one-mile loop just southof Trail 111 reserved for experienced riders.This rolling and rocky trail follows an esker,which is a ridge formed by the last greatglacier that scoured Wisconsin 10,000years ago.

From Nine Springs, Trail 111 runs eastacross Springstead Creek at its intersectionwith Trail 107 just west of Round Lake.Follow Trail 107 to a parking area near theRound Lake Logging Dam. You’ll have topark your quad and walk about 1/8 mile toview this restored 1800’s logging dam. Thesite includes an interpretive center andwalking trails. Originally constructed in1878, then completely restored in 1995,the Round Lake Dam is typical of the damsbuilt by loggers to sluice their logs down-stream each spring.

Back on your quad you can stay onTrail 107 to visit resorts in the area onRound or Pike Lakes. These are popularvacation lakes with many dining and lodg-ing options. You can double back on Trail107, or exit the area west on Trail 101. Atthe intersection of Trail 101 and 111,you’re near the Smith Rapids CoveredBridge. A short ride on Trail 101 brings youto Trail 112. Go north on 112 for one mile

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and park your ATV at the Smith RapidsHorse Trail. It’s then a short walk to thebridge. Constructed in 1991, it’s one ofjust three covered bridges in the state. Thebridge uses an attractive diamond-shapedtruss pattern called the “town lattice.” Thebridge spans the south branch of theFlambeau River.

From Smith Rapids, Trail 101 parallelsHwy 70 all the way to the Wintergreenparking area. Or, you can backtrack to Trail111 to access Trail 121, the southernmosttrail in the system. Follow 121 to the SailorLake Campground & Picnic Area, whichoffers direct ATV access, a picnic shelterand 20 campsites. Many ATVers use SailorLake as their base camp.

From Sailor Lake, head north via Trails102, 101, 103 and 104 to Trail 111 andthe parking area east of Blockhouse Lake.Or continue west on Trail 111 back to ParkFalls.

Two other Price County attractions areof interest. In Phillips, 18 miles south ofPark Falls on Hwy 13, marvel at the fanci-ful folk art creations at Wisconsin ConcretePark (800/269-4505, www.friendsoffred-smith.org). Twenty miles further south,near Ogema, you can climb the observa-tion tower atop Timm’s Hill, the highestspot in Wisconsin at 1,951.5 feet abovesea level.


8JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: Nearly 18 miles one-wayfrom Amery to Almena.

DIFFICULTY: Easy.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): The trail-head in Amery is near Hwy 46 and theApple River. Trail access also is available inTurtle Lake at Railway Park, and in Almenaat the Barron County Picnic Area.

SEASON: Open year round.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Gandy Dancer State Trail, Wild Rivers StateTrail, Tuscobia State Trail.

NOTE: The trail crosses several roads,including major highways. Use cautionwhen crossing roadways.

CAUTION: Trail is open to other outdoorenthusiasts. Please use caution and goodtrail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment andsafety of all trail users.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: St. Croix Casinoand Hotel, and the Lake Country Dairy inTurtle Lake.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Barron County Forestry Department715/537-6295www.co.barron.wi.us

Polk County Parks & RecreationDepartment715/485-9272www.co.polk.wi.us

Cattail State Trail

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Just an hour’s drive from the TwinCities, the Cattail State Trail is one ofthe most popular ATV destinations innorthwestern Wisconsin.Developed on a former railroad grade,

the 18-mile Cattail StateTrail meanders throughsome of Wisconsin’smost picturesqueforests and farmlands.The trail passes throughTurtle Lake as it connectsAmery in Polk County withAlmena in Barron County.

The Cattail is a prime example of amulti-use trail that’s enjoyed by many out-door recreational enthusiasts. Open yearround for ATVing, other trail uses includehiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing,horseback riding and snowmobiling. Off-road motorcycles are allowed on the trailyear-round in Polk County only. As amulti-use trail, the Cattail may bring anumber of different users to the trail at thesame time. Consequently, it’s important touse good trail etiquette to ensure theenjoyment and safety of all trail users.

ATV riders can access the trail in Amery,Turtle Lake or Almena. The ride is relativelyshort and can be easily completed in a singleday. Lodging is available in each town.Whether it’s a one-day trip or a full week-end, the easy round trip ride allows plenty oftime to take in as much as possible.

FRITZ ALBERT


choose from and a 153-room hotel.Turtle Lake is also home to Lake

Country Dairy (www.lumberjackcheese.com,715/986-2893), a 60,000 square-footcheese factory that can turn 2 millionpounds of milk into 80,000 pounds ofcheese in a day. Visitors can see thecheese-making process and buy a varietyof cheeses in their retail outlet.

After sampling these diversions inTurtle Lake, saddle up and continue head-ing east on the Cattail Trail. Just out oftown, the tree-lined trail skirts Mud Lake,then bridges the creek between Upper andLower Turtle Lakes before crossing Hwy 8on the final leg of the trail to the BarronCounty Picnic Area in Almena. You’ll findfuel and food and a chance to rest beforethe return trip on the Cattail Trail.

For those with a continual need forspeed, motorsports abound in nearbytowns. The Kopellah Speedway(www.kopellahspeedway.net; 715/566-0646) in nearby St. Croix Falls hosts auto-mobile racing on its one-quarter mile,semi-banked clay oval race track everyFriday night from early April through earlySeptember. Or, head north to Rice Lake forSaturday night racing action at the RiceLake Speedway (www.rlspeedway.com;715/236-2002) where racing begins inApril and ends in September.

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In Amery, the trailhead is situated nearHwy 46 and the ever-popular Apple River.Heading east, you ride through some rem-nant forest before encountering farmlandand prairie. Just east of Amery, the trail fol-lows Beaver Brook northwest toward thehamlet of Joel, about six miles from Amery.East of Joel, the trail dives into a thickwooded section and cruises past rich wet-lands with an abundance of wildlife.

As you cross Hwy 63 and thePolk/Barron County line, the village ofTurtle Lake welcomes you with fuel, food,lodging and gambling action. For food andfuel, head into town using WesternBoulevard. Roads are posted for ATV use,but it’s always best to call ahead to makesure where ATVs are permitted, (TurtleLake Police Department, 715/986-2942).

The trail cuts right through the heartof Turtle Lake with access at Railway Parkjust a block off the trail. The park includesa picnic shelter and a loading area on thenorth side of the trail. For those who planto stay in Turtle Lake, Country Lodge(www.tlcountrylodge.com; 866/986-2070)provides access to the trail. It is located onthe south side of U.S. Highway 8 directlyacross from the St. Croix Casino & Hotel(www.stcroixcasino.com; 800/782-9987).The casino offers slots, blackjack, roulette,craps and poker. It has three restaurants to

9


Chippewa County ATV Trails

Chippewa County

The hills, valleys and challenging ter-rain of northern Chippewa Countywere created by the action of gla-ciers many thousands of years ago.

This glacial topography is what makes thisarea ideal for ATV riding.The Chippewa CountyATV Trail ramblesthrough a scatteredstring of the county’s33,000 acres of countyforestland. Even though thetrail here is short – 15 miles -you’ll be challenged with steephills and valleys. Winding past small lakesand beaver ponds, the trail is an open doorto spectacular vistas and abundant wildlife.

Beginning at the western trailhead,you’ll ride down a gravel road for aboutfive miles on a swing north of BurntWagon Lake. The road winds east, thennorth toward Bass Lakes where you canstop and stretch your legs. A picnic tableand newly built restrooms, funded by ATVregistration money, are available. After abrief respite, hop back on your quad andcontinue north. The road turns into anATV-only trail. The compacted surface pro-vides ample traction in all kinds of condi-tions.

A mile north of Bass Lakes, the trailcrosses the Ice Age National Scenic Trail(800/227-0046 or 608/663-8278,www.iceagetrail.org). The Ice Age Trail isunique to Wisconsin, tracing the southern-most advance of the last Wisconsin glaciersome 12,000 years ago. The 1,000-mile IceAge Trail starts at Potawatomi State Park inSturgeon Bay, runs south through theNorthern and Southern Units of the KettleMoraine State Forests, swings westthrough Madison, then northwest throughWisconsin Dells and Eau Claire to it termi-nus at Interstate Park near St. Croix Falls. Itis a backpacker’s dream; but ATVs are notallowed.

After crossing the Ice Age Trail, you’llswing northeast around Dorothy Lake. Thetrail winds up and down hills and passesseveral wetlands. Heading north towardCty M, it gets a little rockier with loose

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 15 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): The east-ern trailhead is located about 4.5 mileswest of Holcombe on Cty M. The west-ern trailhead is located about 8 milesnortheast of Bloomer on 153rd St.

SEASON: May 1 to November 15.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Eau Claire County ATV Trails, ClarkCounty ATV Trails

NOTE: Stay on the trail; ATV routes arewell marked. There are no services onthe trail, but some businesses can beaccessed along roads marked as ATVroutes.

CAUTION: The trail crosses the Ice AgeTrail, which is off limits to ATVs. Watchfor large rocks in the middle of the trailand standing water after it rains.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: Brunet IslandState Park, Ice Age National Trail,Chippewa Moraine Interpretive Center.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Chippewa County Tourism866/723-0331 or 715/726-7880www.chippewacounty.com

Chippewa Falls Area Chamber ofCommerce866/723-0331 or 715/723-0331www.chippewachamber.org

ERIC SK

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rocks on uphill climbs or descents, and onsome corners.

About a mile north of Cty M, the trailcurves east as it crosses Willow Creek.Here the trail becomes a gravel road. Aftera half-mile or so, you’ll come to an inter-section. The Chippewa Trail heads to theright. If you continue straight, the gravel

road cuts through private land leading tocounty roads posted for ATV use. Asalways, follow the signs and ride only onroads marked as ATV routes.

Staying on the Chippewa ATV Trail,you’ll pass through a narrow gate. In fact,there are several narrow gates on the trail.Most of them are located at road intersec-tions. The trail dives deep into the forestpassing more wetlands on the way to CtyE. From here it’s a short swing past theBirch Creek Trail to the eastern trailhead onCty M.

Area attractions include the ChippewaMoraine Ice Age State Recreation Area justwest of the trail (715/967-2800,www.wiparks.net). This 3,300-acre recre-ation area doesn’t offer any camping, butit does have a terrific nature center thatinterprets the glacial legacy of the area andof the Ice Age Trail. If camping is a part ofyour outdoor fun, Brunet Island State Park(715/239-6888, www.wiparks.net) is onlyfive miles southeast of the trail in Cornellwith 1,200 acres of fun and 69 campsites.Even nearer, Pine Point Park is only abouttwo miles east of the trail’s eastern trail-head. This Chippewa County park occupiesa 3,900-acre peninsula jutting into theHolcombe Flowage with 48 campsites andan absolutely stunning location.

RJ & LIN

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Brunet Island State Park.


10Clark County ATV Trails

Clark County

Seventeen percent of Clark County iscounty forest – 132,852 acres of funjust begging to be explored from theseat of an ATV. And you can do it

because 130 miles of ATV trailsaccess it all from LakeArbutus in the south toMead Lake in the north.All you’ll need is staminaand a couple of days.

This is a placedesigned with ATVs in mind.Here, you can ride all day andnever hit the same trail twice.The system is actually a series of sevenloop trails linked by on-road segments.Trail loops are named, marked for mileageand highlighted on the county’s very serv-iceable ATV map. The Oak Ridge and RockDam Loops are the shortest at 5.3 miles;the Neillsville Loop is the longest at 34miles.

In addition to the loops and on-roadconnectors, planners included four inten-sive use areas in the trail system. Theseopen areas allow you to get off-trail andplay a bit in diverse terrain. Because theylocalize off-trail activity, these intensive useareas minimize environmental damage inthe rest of the forest.

Clark County puts an exclamationpoint on their trail system with seven park-ing lots and five county parks and camp-grounds. Centrally located within the trailsystem, Wild Rock Park is fast becoming akey destination for many ATV enthusiasts.It offers 35 campsites, electric and water,and a parking lot with loading ramp.Snyder County Park, also centrally located,offers 32 campsites on lovely Snyder Lake.On the south end of the system, RussellMemorial Park on Lake Arbutus offers 230campsites, RV hookups, flush toilets andshowers, and a convenience store. On thenorth end, Rock Dam Park offers 150campsites with flush toilets and showers, alaundromat, convenience store, and full RVhookups.

On the private side, Norm & Ann’sCampground/Outdoor Adventures is locat-ed just west of Snyder Park on Hwy 10.Along with modern camping facilities,

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 130 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Thereare seven parking lots for day riders:the Oak Ridge lot at the north end ofthe trail at Cty M and Rock Creek Rd;lots at Rock Dam, Wild Rock andWildcat County Parks; the Hwy 10 lotat Hwy 10 and Bachelor’s Ave; and thetwo Hatfield Pines lots at the southend of the trail at Bush Rd andBachelor’s Ave just west of LakeArbutus.

SEASON: May 1 to March 15.

FEES: None.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Chippewa County ATV trails, JacksonCounty ATV Trails.

NOTE: Follow the instructions postedat the entrances to the four intensiveuse areas in the trail system.

CAUTION: The trails close for a periodof time in the fall during hunting sea-son. Check the Clark County Web sitefor updates or call.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: TheHighground, 1897 Jail Museum, andThe Wisconsin Pavilion in Neillsville.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Clark County Forestry and ParksDepartment715/743-5140www.co.clark.wi.us

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Rd

Butler

Kueltz’sForest Rd

Chili Rd

Fremont Rd

Granton Rd

Rouse Rd

Opelt Rd

Rive

r Rd

Beaver

Fore

st R

d

Dam

#2

Rd

Rese

woo

d A

ve

Norm & Ann’s is known for its ATV rentaland tour guide operations (www.nanda-camp.com). They offer two- or four-hourguided tours. The two-hour trip takes yousouthwest to Wildcat Mound Park whereyou’ll leave your ATV behind and climbWildcat Mound. At the top, you’re reward-ed with a spectacular 360-degree vista.You can see all the way to Black River Fallsto the south and Neillsville to the east.The view is even more stunning in autumn.

Out-of-the-saddle, you’ll want tocheck out nearby attractions. Located threemiles west of Neillsville on Hwy 10, TheHighground is a 140-acre VeteransMemorial Park (715/743-4224,

www.thehighground.org). Tributes honorAmerican veterans of all wars. From theplaza you can see 500,000 acres of spec-tacular woodland scenery and glacialmoraine. You can also tour the city’s 1897Jail Museum, an imposing four-storyfortress of a building (715-743-6444,www.clark-cty-wi.org/JailMuseum.htm).Tours include the sheriff’s residence as wellas the bleak cellblocks. The WisconsinPavilion originally served as the state’sexhibit hall at the 1964-65 New YorkWorld’s Fair (715/743-3333, www.clark-city-wi.org/Pavilion.htm).Dismantled and reassembled in Neillsville,the pavilion now houses four radio sta-tions, a cheese and gift shop and a privatecollection of New York World’s Fair memo-rabilia.

When it comes to scenery, mileageand ATV friendliness, the picturesque trailsof the Clark County Forest are tough tobeat. To the south, they connect to anoth-er 100 miles of great trails in JacksonCounty – twice the fun!

11


Just a two-hour drive from the TwinCities and Madison and three hoursfrom Milwaukee, the ATV trails ofthe Jackson County

Forest and the Black RiverState Forest are some ofthe most popular in theMidwest. Not only arethey proximal toInterstate 94, the trail systemhere is extensive, the sceneryis lovely, and campgrounds areeverywhere.

The rolling terrain, wide trails andtowering trees make you feel like you’remiles from civilization. Eight access pointsgive you plenty of trailhead choices. Fourtrailheads are just off I-94, making thempopular with day-trippers. But no matterwhere you start, the scenic beauty of thetrails that roll through Jackson County andthe Black River State Forest will dazzle you.

The 120,000-acre Jackson CountyForest nearly surrounds the 67,000-acreBlack River State Forest. The area is on theedge of Glacial Lake Wisconsin, an enor-mous lake that formed 12,000 years agowhen the last glacier melted. The lakedrained suddenly and catastrophically carv-ing the rock formations of the WisconsinRiver, altering the course of the MississippiRiver, and creating the area’s buttes andsandstone hills.

The 100-mile trail system in JacksonCounty dodges in and out of the hard-woods and pines allowing glimpses of theopen landscape. Throughout the trail sys-tem, you’ll encounter sandy and rocky ter-rain that provides plenty of fun. Just to thewest is the picturesque Black River.Beginning its journey in central Wisconsin,it carves its way to the mighty Mississippi.Anglers fish the river for walleye, bass, andthe elusive musky.

From Black River Falls, trails run eastinto both forests. To the north, LakeArbutus is a popular destination as it con-nects to another 135 miles of ATV and off-road motorcycle trails in Clark County. Itstwo trailheads and parking areas can bepacked on busy weekends. In addition,Lake Arbutus is home to three campsites:

Jackson County Forest/Black River State Forest

Jackson County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 100 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Thereare eight access areas with parking:East 7th St near Castle Mound StatePark; off Hwy 12 two miles west ofMillston; junction Cty O and NorthSettlement Rd, one mile east ofMillston; Ott Trail parking lot onAirport Rd, east of Black River Falls;Hwy 54 ten miles east of Black RiverFalls, just east of Wildcat-Spangler Rd;West Clay School Rd near East ArbutusCampground, southeast of Hatfield;East Arbutus Campground, north ofWest Clay School Rd; and CrawfordHills County Park, 20 miles east ofBlack River Falls on Hwy 54.

SEASON: Open May 15-Oct 15, andDec 15-Mar 15.

FEES: None.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Connects to the Clark County ATVtrails.

NOTE: Trails are marked with bluelocator posts with red numbers. Thetop number is the trail segment; thebottom number is the mile marker. Inan emergency, dial 9-1-1 and give thedispatcher the post number, then fol-low their instructions.

CAUTION: It is highly recommendedto carry extra fuel with you.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Sand CreekBrewing, and Majestic Pines Bingo &Casino in Black River Falls.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Black River Area Chamber ofCommerce800/404-4008www.wisconsinatvcentral.com

Jackson County Forestry and Parks715/284-8475www.co.jackson.wi.us


94

94

94

Black RiverFalls

Millston

Hatfield

27

27

54

54

54F

C

E

K

K

O

O

J

12

12

120 2 3 41 5 Miles

LakeArbutus

Bauer Rd.

Broc

kway

Rd.

LakeWazee

Rive

r

Black

To ClarkCountyTrails

at Russell County Park in Clark County, atEast Arbutus County Park in JacksonCounty, and at the East Fork State ForestCampground. Take your pick.

TOURISM

PHOTO

FILE

Due south of Lake Arbutus abouteight miles is the Wazee Lake CountyCampground. Wazee Lake is a former ironmine. At 350 feet, it is the deepest lake inWisconsin, popular with scuba divers for itsclarity. If you choose to set up camp here,you might catch a glimpse of lots ofwildlife, including deer, turkey, grouse andtimber wolves. A fee or park sticker isrequired to stay in the campground.

Jackson County trails are well markedand many signs point the way to area busi-nesses that are ATV friendly. You can spendseveral fun days touring and staying in theBlack River Falls area.

Off your quad, you’ll want to visit theSand Creek Brewing Company in BlackRiver Falls (715/284-7553, www.sandcreek-brewing.com). They brew a dozen micro-beers in the historic 1856 OderbolzBrewery. Enjoy free tours on Fridays (3pm).Their tasting room and gift shop are openMonday-Friday. Players can enjoy blackjack,bingo, craps, poker and slots at theMajestic Pines Hotel, Bingo & Casino(800/657-4621, www.mpcwin.com).

Black River State Forest Trails.

DyracuseMound

5000 1000 Feet

To State Hwy 13


12In 1979, the Rapid Angels

Motorcycle Club wanted to developsome land just south of Rome incentral Wisconsin solely for off-road

riding. The club owned twen-ty acres in the area, butwanted to add more toproduce a larger , morevaried riding area.

The concepthinged on securing fundsfrom the Wisconsin DNR’sMotorcycle RecreationProgram (MRP) to acquire landand build the park. Back in the late1960s, the MRP was legislated to pro-vide financial assistance to local gov-ernments for the acquisition, operationand maintenance of public off-highwaymotorcycle riding areas. An additional$2 fee for motorcycle registrations gen-erated funds for the program.

The club pitched the concept tothe Township of Rome. Officials likedthe idea and after several meetings,approved it. With that, Rome becamethe first town in Wisconsin to developa motorcycle recreational area with

Dyracuse MoundRecreational Area

Adams County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 20 miles.DIFFICULTY: Moderate.

TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Therecreation area is located 13 milessouth of Wisconsin Rapids. From Hwy.13 turn east on Archer Drive.

SEASON: Early April through EarlyOctober.

FEES: $10 daily pass; $100 single sea-son pass; $150 single-family pass.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Bentley Hills ATV Trails, JacksonCounty/Black River State Forest, JuneauCounty.

NOTE: Helmets, eye protection andprotective footwear are required.Before riding in the park, stop at thepark office to complete the requiredforms and pay the fees.

CAUTION: Stay within designated rid-ing areas; violators can be bannedfrom the park.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Roche-A-CriState Park, NewPage paper mill tours,and Rainbow Casino.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Town of Rome715/325-8013www.romewi.com

Dyracuse Mound Recreational Area715/325-8014www.my411site.net/dyracuse

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Aspen Ave

9th Ct

Archer DrATV Track

ATV/Motocross Enduro Track

ATV/Supercross Track

Kids Track

MAP KEY

Mud BogPlay Area

D


MRP funding. In 1982, the DyracuseMound Recreational Area officially opened.Since then thousands of riders, on motor-cycles and ATVs, have enjoyed everythingthe area has to offers.

Today, the 240-acre park is a dreamfor off-road enthusiasts who want to takea break from long distance trail riding. Thepark is named for its most prominent ter-rain feature. Atop the mound, an observa-tion tower provides an awesome panora-ma of the area. The park has twomotocross tracks, a 10-mile enduro trail,two ATV tracks, a track for children, a mudbog area, a shelter, picnic tables, a play-ground and restrooms with hot and coldrunning water. You can spend a whole dayor more at the park, testing your skills andriding over the varying terrain. The parkdraws all types of riders, from beginners toexperts.

To this day, the park is funded by theState of Wisconsin and operated jointly bythe Town of Rome and the Rapid AngelsMotorcycle Club. Several annual competi-tions are sponsored at Dyracuse, includingmotocross, hill climb events, and a hare-scramble.

Many roads are open to ATV use inthe Town of Rome. They are marked withATV route signs or directional arrows.Riders must stay on the routes. Additionalinformation, including maps of ATV-desig-nated routes and park information, is avail-

able at the Rome Municipal Building orPritzl’s Trading Post.

If by day’s end you haven’t hadenough time in the saddle, the WoodCounty ATV Area, with about ten miles oflooped trail, is located about twenty min-utes northwest of Dyracuse Mound, justfour miles west of Port Edwards near theintersection of Hwy 54 and Cty G.

For accommodations, you’re only thir-teen miles south of Wisconsin Rapidswhere you’ll find plenty of hotels andrestaurants. If you’d rather camp, Deer TrailCampground (715/886-3871) is just sixmiles to the north; just over theAdams/Wood County line on Cty Z. Theyoffer 165 total sites, all with water andelectricity. Ten miles south of Dyracuse onHwy 13, Roche-A-Cri State Park (608/339-6881, www.wiparks.net) offers 41 familycampsites.

Wisconsin Rapids is home to one ofthe largest papermaking plants inWisconsin. The NewPage mill offers tourson Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdaysat 10am (715/422-3789 for reservations).They’ve got a paper machine longer than acity block. On Friday nights in summer, youcan catch some car racing action at theGolden Sands Speedway (715/423-4660).The Rainbow Casino in nearby Nekoosaoffers blackjack, poker, roulette or slots(800/782-4560, www.rbcwin.com).


13Burma Forest ATV Trail

Marathon County

Just four miles west of Mosinee, theBurma Road Forest is a 1,480-acrehaven for Central Wisconsin ATVenthusiasts. Trailhead parking lots on both ends of

the trail system affordquick and easy access.Free camping is offeredat either trailhead with apermit from the Park,Recreation & ForestryDepartment. Restrooms atthe northern trailhead are abonus amenity.

Signage marks nine trail segmentswithin the 11-mile system. The BurmaRoad Forest is one unit in the county’s28,000-acre forest system. The forest ismanaged for timber production, wildlifehabitat, public hunting (October andNovember), and recreational uses. Filledwith dense deciduous trees and stands ofpines, the Burma Road Forest provides sce-nic and enjoyable riding for ATVers ofevery skill level.

Because these are essentially loggingroads, some of the trails here are morethan 10 feet wide. The packed dirt on theentire trail system produces a smooth rideand excellent traction for all ATVs.However, even with the packed dirt, thereare a couple of sections adjacent to thetrail that can hold standing water and mud

With only eleven miles of trail, you’llprobably ride every inch of the BurmaRoad Forest more than once. As you do,you may encounter a variety of wildlifeincluding whitetail deer, wild turkeys andruffed grouse. For safety, the trail is closedduring hunting season in October andNovember. It also is closed from mid-Marchthrough the end of April to allow theground to dry during the spring thaw.

The Burma Road Forest stands at theconfluence of the Wisconsin River and theBig Eau Pleine River. A dam on theWisconsin River just below MarathonCounty created the 6,800-acre Big EauPleine Reservoir and 6,700-acre LakeDubay – arguably the focus of water recre-ation and fishing in central Wisconsin. TheBurma Road Forest is only two miles north

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 11 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): SouthLot – from Mosinee travel west 4 mileson Hwy 153 to lot on north side ofroad. North Lot – from Mosinee travelnorthwest 4.1 miles on Cty B, thenwest 2.4 miles on Burma Rd to lot onsouth side of road.

SEASON: The trail is closed inOctober, November and April.

FEES: None.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Lincoln County, Clark County andJackson County trails.

NOTE: Trails are numbered withorange and brown ATV signs.Restrooms are available near the north-ern trailhead. ATVs cannot be operatedon county roads.

CAUTION: Some trail sections may beclosed periodically. Also, logging activi-ty might be present.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Rib MountainState Park, Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises,Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum,and Marathon County HistoricalMuseum in Wausau; Big Eau PleineCounty Park and the George W. MeadSWA near Mosinee.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Wausau/ Marathon County Parks,Recreation & Forestry715/261-1550www.co.marathon.wi.us

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of Big Eau Pleine County Park, a 2,050-acre peninsula on the north shore of thereservoir. The park offers 106 campsites, aswimming beach, boat launch and accessto the Big Eau Pleine/Lake Dubay waterparadise.

Just across the reservoir from the parkis the George W. Mead State Wildlife Area(715/457-6771, www.meadwildlife.org).At 30,000 acres, it’s a bird watcher’s para-dise boasting a bird list of 248 species.Good roads go to all parts of the propertyand hiking trails are numerous. The newStanton W. Mead Education & VisitorCenter demonstrates state-of-the-art greenbuilding technology.

Fifteen miles north of Mosinee, thegreater Wausau area offers plenty of off-machine fun. Rib Mountain State Park(715/842-2522, www.wiparks.net) offers30 additional campsite choices as well asspectacular views of the surrounding coun-tryside from one of the state’s highestpoints. Marathon County is the worldleader in the cultivation of ginseng. Mostis exported to China. To learn more aboutthis medicinal root, visit Hsu’s GinsengEnterprises (800/826-1577, www.hsugin-

seng.com). The city’s Leigh YawkeyWoodson Art Museum (715/845-7010,www.lywam.org) exhibits one of the finestcollections of bird art in the world. TheMarathon County Historical Museum onMcIndoe Street (715/842-5750,www.marathoncountyhistory.com) ishoused in the beautiful Victorian home offormer lumber baron Cyrus Yawkey. Themodel railroad display is terrific.Additionally, Wausau offers many lodging,camping and dining options.

All this and the Burma Road ForestATV Trails to boot – what a ride!

0 .5 .75.25 1 Mile

153

107

Burma Rd

To Mosinee

STEVEN

S PO

INT CVB

George W. Mead State Wildlife Area.


14Harrison Hills ATV TrailLincoln County

You could say that ATVing in LincolnCounty is the tale of two seasons.While many ATV trails in the stateare closed in the winter, many por-

tions of the trail systemin Lincoln County areopen when the tem-perature dips belowfreezing and snowblankets the ground.Lincoln County boasts 175miles of winter trails, manyshared with snowmobilers.

The Harrison Hills ATV Trails are afavorite in any season. Carved by glaciersthousands of years ago, northeasternLincoln County is sprinkled with clearlakes, picturesque scenery, rolling hills, andmoderate to difficult trails. The HarrisonHills ATV Trails flow through the lush100,000-acre Lincoln County Forest. Thetrail system covers more than 40 miles andconnects to the Parrish Highlands trail inOneida County and the Langlade Countytrail system.

Six parking areas access Harrison Hills.From any, hearty riders with lots of staminacan complete the perimeter loop in a daywith minimal rest stops. For an easier ride,take a multiple day or out-and-backapproach.

Two parking/access areas are nearHarrison, which is about 10 miles east ofTomahawk. From Harrison the trail headseast. One mile in, riders can choose tohead straight toward the Parrish HighlandsTrails four miles to the east or turn southand west deep into the Harrison Hills Trails.

Turning south, riders cross Cty B, thenzig-zag through the forest, cross a bridgeand come to a fork in the trail. Left orright makes little difference; either is a sce-nic loop to Jackknife Lake. As the trail con-tinues south, it crosses Bear Trail Road justwest of High Lake. A three-mile ride bringsyou to Cranefoot Lake Road and to a trailintersection. From here the main trail turnsnorth, while a 3-mile spur takes you southto the Turtle Lake Road parking area.

Heading northeast, the trail cuts southof Turtle Lake and past a fire tower placedappropriately on Lookout Mountain.

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 41 miles.DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult.

TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): There areseven parking/trail access areas. Themain trailhead is located on Turtle LakeRd just north of Cty J. Two additionallots are located on Cty B, and anotheron Cinder Rd. You can also park at theHarrison Convenience Store, at Bailey’sTown & Country Inn, and at the CloverClub (Memorial Day-Labor Day only).

SEASON: Open May 1 to December 1.Also, in winter, ATVs are allowed on thetrails ten days after the snowmobiletrails are officially open. Trails close toATV use on March 31, or when temper-atures are higher than 28 degrees.Check for trail conditions and availabili-ty.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Parrish Highlands Trail in Oneida andLanglade Counties.

NOTE: ATVs are prohibited from usingthe Ice Age Hiking Trail. Signs will indi-cate whether road access is permitted.Be sure to call ahead to find out whichroads are accessible. Roads that aregated or bermed are off limits.

CAUTION: This trail system is remote;you may want to carry extra fuel. Gas isavailable in nearby Harrison andGleason. Watch for logging equipment.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: CouncilGrounds State Park, Merrill HistoricalMuseum, and the Tomahawk AreaHistorical Museums.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Lincoln County Forestry Department715/536-0327www.co.lincoln.wi.us

Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce877/907-2757 or 715/536-9474www.merrillchamber.com

Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce800/569-2160 or 715/453-5334www.gototomahawk.com


17

17

D

D

D

B

B

Harrison

PineLake

BassLake

HighLake

Jacknife Lake

Turtle Lake

SevenIslandLake

OtterLake

Parrish Rd.

Cinder Rd.

Bear Trail Rd.

Bear Trail Rd.

Turtl

e La

ke R

d.

Beav

er

Trail Rd.

Rd.

Lake

Ott

er

0 2 Miles1

ToParrish

Trails

ToParrish

Trails

To M

erril

l

To C

ty J

CranefootLake Rd.

To Rhinelander

To Tomahawk

Passing another parking and access area,the trail crosses Cty B again sliding justsouth of Fox, Bear and Snake Lakes. A fewmiles north the trail intersects with ParrishRoad. The trail follows the road brieflybefore dipping back into the deep forestnear the county line. Once at Cinder Road,you’ll encounter yet another parking lot.Here, you can turn east to the ParrishHighlands Trail or left completing the loopback to Harrison, about five miles away.

Plenty of lodging and restaurants areavailable in Tomahawk and Merrill. Thereare a few camping areas near these trailsbut none offer direct ATV access so trailer-ing to the trails is necessary. The closestcampsite to the trail is the Otter Lake

Recreation Area on Otter Lake (www.dis-coverlincolncounty.com). Council GroundsState Park just west of Merrill offers 55campsites in a 500-acre park along theWisconsin River (715/536-8773,www.wiparks.net). For a look at local his-tory, visit the Merrill Historical Museum(715/536-5652, www.ci.merrill.wi.us) orthe Tomahawk Area Historical Museums(715/453-2056,www.gototomahawk.com).

15


Because of its diverse terrain andunending scenery, many considerParrish Highlands one of the toptrail systems in Wisconsin. Fifty-five

miles of trail here access aportion of the 127,000-acre Langlade CountyForest. In a word, it isblissful riding.

Throw a leg overyour quad and listen to itrumble as you glide throughthe forest. This is terrainmade to be experienced from afour-wheeler. Throughout the ParrishHighlands trail system, rolling hills and tallhardwoods greet you. In the summer, thecanopy of leaves overhead screens theafternoon sun while framing a picturepostcard view of the forest. Around everyturn and over every hill, nature awaits.

Parrish Highlands

Langlade County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 55 miles.DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult.

TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): The maintrailhead is located on Cty T three mileswest of Hwy 45 at Summit Lake, watchfor signs at the entrance. Trail maps areavailable at that location. Other trail-heads with more limited parking arelocated south of Parrish on Cty H andnortheast of Parrish on Cty Q.

SEASON: These summer-only ATV trailsare closed from December 1 to May 1.In winter, ATVs are allowed on state-funded snowmobile trails 10 days afterthe trails are officially opened and whenthe temperature is lower than 28degrees. ATVs are not allowed in theChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

FEES: None.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Harrison Hills ATV Trails, Oneida CountyATV trails, Augustyn Springs ATV Trail.

NOTE: These trails are old logging roadsopen to other outdoor enthusiasts andmotor vehicle traffic. Logging activitymight be taking place along or near thetrail. Use caution. Also, there are fewplaces to refuel, so be sure to carry extrawith you.

CAUTION: These ATV trails cross theIce Age Trail in several places. The IceAge Trail is off limits to ATVs. The trail isidentified by yellow paint on trees.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Mole LakeCasino & Lodge in Mole Lake.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Langlade Forestry & RecreationDepartment715/627-6300www.co.langlade.wi.us

Antigo/Langlade Chamber ofCommerce888/526-4523www.antigochamber.com

17

Cinder Rd.

Q

H

H

Parrish

0 1 2 Miles

To HarrisonHills Trail

To HarrisonHills Trail


Moccasin Lake Rd.

Ice AgeNational

Scenic Trail T

T

B

B

KElcho

SummitLake

45

45

5 Cent Firelane

Lilly MillFirelane

To Antigo

As you ride these trails, you’ll see ahealthy forest ecosystem in which timberproduction coexists with recreation andwildlife. The trail system here takes advan-tage of a relatively dry plateau betweenlowland marsh and lake country to thenorth and south. Even so, the trails tra-verse many streams and ponds that sustainlife for scores of small mammal and birdspecies. As you ride, you can’t help butfeel part of a larger, natural world.

Many begin their ride at the trailheadon Cty T just west of Summit Lake. Thereyou’ll find plenty of parking, trail maps,and an ATV wash station handy for clean-ing your quad after a long day of riding.From here you can go in two directions:north to access the twisting loops on theeastern trails, or west down 5 CentFirelane to the western loops.

At intersection number 12 on themap, head north. A few clicks later you’llencounter a shelter – more like a smallcabin – that many riders make a point tovisit. Overlooking a small lake, it’s a greatplace for a picnic lunch, complete withouthouses, a well, benches and grills. Youmight even meet members of the ParrishHighlanders ATV Club who are often on

the trails. After their monthly club meet-ings (the first Saturday of each month,April through November), members hit thetrails and often stop at the shelter to grilland socialize. With members nicknamedMuddy Chick, Mud Man and Dusty Ryd’r,you know they take their riding and theirfun seriously.

Recently, the Highlanders began togeocache. For the uninitiated, geocachingis an outdoor treasure-hunting game inwhich participants use a GPS receiver orother navigational techniques to hide andseek containers called caches. A typicalcache is a small waterproof container con-taining a logbook and “treasure,” usuallytoys or trinkets of relative value. Check outthe club’s Web site (www.parrishhigh-lands.com) for the cache’s GPS coordinatesand see if you can find the hidden treas-ure.

When you’ve ridden all you can onthe Parrish Highland trails, you can connectwith Lincoln and Oneida County trails toextend the fun. No matter where you ridein this neck of the woods, the mix of ter-rain and scenery will dazzle you.


16Embarrass RiverATV ParkShawano County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 20 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to difficult.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): The ATVpark is located 1/2-mile east ofTigerton, just north of Cty M.

SEASON: Open year-round 8am todusk; Challenge Track open 10am-5pm.

FEES: $7 per day weekdays, or $25for Mon-Fri 5-day pass; $10 per day onweekends, or $15 for Sat-Sun 2-daypass. Camping fees are $15 per nightfor tents and $20 per night for RVs.For reservations, call 888/947-2288.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Riverview ATV Park, Dusty Trails, Fonddu Lac OHV Park.

NOTE: In the winter, trails aren’talways groomed. One snowmobile trailthrough the park is groomed. All trailsare within the park. There are no con-nectors to other trails.

CAUTION: Riders using the park mustcomplete all registration forms andsign a waiver. Information can befound in the kiosk near the entrance orin the main building. Riders using theChallenge Area must be 18 or older.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: MohicanNorth Star Bingo & Casino in Bowler.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Embarrass River ATV Park888/947-2288 or 715/535-2169www.tigerton.govoffice2.com

45

Tigerton

M

J

J

Feet

The Embarrass River ATV Park is wellknown in Wisconsin ATV circles.Designed in 1998, it was meant tobe a “model” ATV park – a well-

planned ATV haven withgreat trails and campingamenities. Since itopened, ATV enthusi-asts have flocked here,and rightly so. The 504-acre park includes aChallenge Area, which is amotocross-type track, andtwenty miles of trails that wind through avariety of terrain.

While the Challenge Area is a popularpart of the park, many head here to ridethe winding trails because they offer plentyof fun for all skill levels. The main outerloop is wide – so wide that cars could driveon it. They don’t, of course. The sweepingtrail rolls through the forest over rocky ter-rain that covers most of the park.

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45

M

M

0 1000 2000 Feet

Dive deeper into the forest on trailsthat crisscross inside the outer loop andyou’ll find some challenging terrain. Sometrails get progressively more difficult androckier, so use caution. Virtually every partof the park is open for exploration. Youcan test your rock or hill climbing skills,splash through some water-filled areas,and get down and dirty in some mud.

During the summer, the MarathonOff-Road ATV Club holds at least threemotocross races at the park. If you’re inter-ested, call Bill Bell at 715/355-6120, ext.123 or Randy Curtis at 715/675-6330; orlog on to www.motobill.com. Regardlessof the schedule, you might catch some rac-ers practicing their skills anytime in thepark. Because the park’s popularity contin-ues to increase, it’s important to be cau-tious as you ride.

The park is funded by annual grantsfrom the Wisconsin DNR derived from stateATV registrations. The Village of Tigertonadministers the park. The nominal feescharged riders fund trail maintenance andimprovements. Fees can be paid at thekiosk near the entrance or in the mainbuilding, which is often staffed during thebusy times of the year.

When winter arrives, the park remainsopen. Many of the trails are groomed andsome are shared by snowmobiles. Riderscan warm up in the main building thatremains open 24/7 November thru May 1st.

In addition to its Challenge Area andtrails, the park offers 37 campsites fortents and RVs, many along the EmbarrassRiver. There’s even a family camping areafor larger groups. Electrical hook-ups areavailable and a new shower and laundryfacility bring all the comforts of home rightto your campsite. An RV dump station,potable water and firewood are also avail-able. After a day’s ride, you can rinse offyour quad in the wash bay. If you needfood or fuel, a trail heads out of the parksouth to Hwy 45, then north into Tigerton.

The winding Embarrass River cutsthrough the park near the Challenge Area.The river holds a native population of troutand is popular with canoeists. If you’refeeling particularly lucky, Mohican NorthStar Casino & Bingo (800/775-2274,www.mohicannorthstar.com) is located inBowler, just twelve miles north. They offerslots, blackjack, roulette, craps, poker andbingo.

When you want to ride a well-designed ATV park, come to Tigerton. It’s ashining example of “If you build it, theywill come.”


17DustyTrails

Oconto County

The Dusty Trails got their name fromthe sandy soil here – when it’s dry,it’s dusty. But that doesn’t stopOconto County’s ardent ATV riders.

After all, getting dirty ispart of the fun.Besides, it’s not dustyall the time. In fact,there are areas on thetrail where, after a goodrain, you’ll find standingwater and some added fun.

The 120-mile trail systemoffers a mixture of forest scenery androlling terrain. Geologically, glaciers carvedthis landscape leaving sand and gravel,bedrock outcroppings and huge chunks ofburied ice that melted forming kettle or“pothole” lakes scattered throughout theregion. Peshtigo Brook cuts through thecenter of the trail system draining a10,000-acre wetland called the BrazeauSwamp. Just north of the trailhead, a400,000-acre lobe of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest runs all the way toMichigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Over the years, the Dusty Trails ATVClub (www.dustytrailsatvclub.com), hasdone extensive work on the trail systemincluding construction of a bridge overPeshtigo Brook and a longer bridge over awetland area. Their efforts have helpedmake their trails some of the most popularin the state.

The western edge of the trail system isa 40-mile rail-trail that roughly parallelsHwy 32 from Gillett north to Townsend.The balance of the Dusty Trails lie in centralOconto County, about half on-road andhalf off-road. In any direction you ride,you’ll find forests of aspen, birch and jackpine.

From the main trailhead onRobenhorst Lane you can head north,south or east. On-road ATV routes offerquick access to any part of this large trailsystem. Or, you can ride forest trails rightout of the parking lot.

A favorite haunt for many is an areacalled the “Pipeline.” Just a few milessoutheast of the trailhead, you’ll find anice, open, sandy area. In it are deep holes

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 120 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): The maintrailhead is located near the Hwy32/Hwy 64 intersection just east ofChute Pond; follow Hwy 64 east about2 miles, then 1/2-mile south onRobenhorst Lane. Trail access also isavailable in Gillett at Zippel Park, inSuring near the Village Hall and inLakewood and Mountain.

SEASON: May 1 to October 31.

FEES: None.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Marinette County, Embarrass River ATVPark, and the Parrish Highlands Trails.

NOTE: The Dusty Trails system is wellmarked by signs that correspond to amap distributed by the club. Obey thesigns and stay on the trail. When ridingon roads marked as ATV routes, thespeed limit is 25 mph unless otherwiseposted.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Oconto County800/297-4343 or 920/834-6969 www.ocontocounty.org

Oconto County Land/Forestry920/834-6827

JESSICA PRIEM

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that, depending on rainfall, may containstanding water, beckoning you to get wet.Nearby is an area called the “Sugar Bowl,”an open expanse of sugary sand wheremany spend time playing out-of-the-saddle.

Heading north, the trail parallelsPeshtigo Brook weaving in and out of theforest – sometimes in the woods, some-times on Butler Springs Road. CrossingHwy 64, the trail follows the PeshtigoBrook Fire Road northeast around WhitePotato Lake where it connects with theMarinette County trail system at 51stRoad.

If you want to stay in Oconto County,you can backtrack about five miles to Old64 Road. From there, you can ride theBrazeau Swamp area to the north, or headwest on Old 64 and Kingston Road all theway to the rail-trail. From there, Mountain,Lakewood and Townsend are north; Breed,Suring and Gillett are south.

If you run south to Gillett, be readyfor a warm welcome. In 2007, the mayorproclaimed the city the “ATV Capital of theWorld.” Street banners, a Web site(www.atvcapitaloftheworld.com), ATVaccessible roadways, ATV events and a“world headquarters” (The SportsmanLodge) with trail info are all a part of thispromotional package. Perhaps ATVs are sopopular here because nearly one-in-fourresidents own one.

No matter where you ride in OcontoCounty, ATVers are welcome. The trail sys-tem is super, lodging and camping areashave direct access to the rail trail, and areabusinesses roll out the welcome mat. It allmakes for an especially fun experience.


18Marinette County ATV Trails

Marinette County

Marinette County is big – at 1,402square miles it’s the third largestcounty in the state. Its countyforests total 231,000 acres – sec-

ond largest in Wisconsin. For ATVers,there’s plenty of room toroam.

Consequently, it’scommon for riders toclick off 100 miles ormore in a day on theMarinette County trails.With 200 miles of trail toexplore, passionate riders canstay in the saddle for a week.There is much to see and enjoy.

Bordered by Michigan’s UpperPeninsula and the Bay of Green Bay to theeast and the sprawling Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to the west,Marinette County is a hotbed of outdoorrecreation – canoeing, hiking, camping,hunting, cross-country skiing, birding,snowmobiling and, of course, ATVing. Themajority of the county’s year-round ATVtrails are located in the northern half ofthe county. Trails run from Hilbert Lake inthe far northwestern corner of the countyeast to the Michigan border and south tothe Peshtigo River State Forest.

No matter which loop or trail you ride,you won’t be disappointed. The systemaccesses county forest lands as well asmany of the county’s magnificent water-falls. You’ll ride rolling hills, twisty trails,sandy flats and forest roads. The ridingoptions are nearly endless. You can chooseto cover as much ground as possible, orpick a backcountry loop and explore it at amore leisurely pace.

McClintock Park on the west side ofthe trail system is a good place to start.Located just off Parkway Road (Cty I), this320-acre county park offers parking, tencampsites, a picnic area and three bridgesover the Peshtigo River. The falls are aseries of cascades under the bridges thatconnect smaller islands within the park.Stately pines frame hardwoods that areparticularly colorful in autumn. The parkhas direct access to the trail system, so it’stime to get on and go.

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 200 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Twoparking areas serve the north end ofthe trail system: a new parking areajust west of Dunbar via Hwy 8, thensouth on Airport Road about 1/4-mileand watch for the sign; and a parkingarea north of Pembine via Hwy 141and Barlow Lake Road. In the south-west corner of the trail system you canpark at McClintock Park near SilverCliff.

SEASON: Open year round. Trails areclosed for a short time in the spring todry out.

FEES: None.OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Florence County ATV Trails, and theDusty Trails.

CAUTION: Because of the length ofthe trails and few fuel stops, be sure tocarry extra fuel with you. And, asalways, stay on the trails.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Waterfalls,the Marinette County HistoricalLogging Museum, and Peshtigo FireMuseum.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Marinette County Parks andRecreation Office715/732-7530www.therealnorth.com

Marinette-Menominee AreaChamber of Commerce800/213-6681www.marinettechamber.com

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The west side trails are a stacked pairof large loops, one to the north and one tothe south. The common trail – the onethat splits the two loops – is known locallyat the “Bunny Run.” These are large loops,so as you play keep an eye on the gasgauge. There are no fuel stops in thesouthern loop; the northern loop offersgas stations in both Goodman and Dunbar.In this neck of the woods, it’s a good ideato carry extra fuel with you.

North of Hwy 8, a third, smaller looptracks north into Florence County as it cir-cles the Dunbar State Natural Area back toDunbar. The final leg of your MarinetteCounty adventure trails east from Dunbaron a series of forest roads throughPembine, all the way to the MenomineeRiver and the Michigan border.

Even though you’ll spend long days onthe trails here, save some daylight forMarinette County’s waterfalls. The county ishome to fourteen waterfalls that should not

be missed. Waterfall tour maps are availablelocally or visit www.therealnorth.com.

Marinette County operates elevenlarge parks. Six of them have well-kept,beautifully wooded campgrounds totaling145 campsites. Four of the campgroundsare near the trail system. Plenty of otherlodging options are available, particularly inthe southern half of the county.

Marinette County is known regionallyfor its whitewater canoeing and rafting.Swollen by the spring melt, the Peshtigo,Pine, Pemebonwon and Pike Rivers becomewater-coasters filled with fun and excite-ment. The historically minded will want tovisit the Marinette County HistoricalLogging Museum on Stephenson Island(715/732-0831) in Marinette. To the south,the Peshtigo Fire Museum (715/582-3244,www.peshtigochamber.com) tells the storyof the worst forest fire in American history,the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 that killed1,200 people in the city.

Dunbar

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Florence County ATV Trails

Florence County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 150 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate TRAILHEAD LOCATION: At the WildRivers Interpretive Center in Florence;and in Tipler near the intersection ofthe Nicolet State Trail and Hwy 70.

SEASON: Open year-round, except forthe spring dry-out.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:The Florence County trail system con-nects to systems in Marinette andForest Counties, and to trails in IronCounty, Michigan.

CAUTION: Carry extra fuel and watchthe fuel gauge; gas stations are fewand far between in Florence County.

FEES: None.AREA ATTRACTIONS: The WildRivers Interpretive Center and the his-toric courthouse and jail, both inFlorence, an ATV park just south ofFlorence, LaSalle Falls and WashburnFalls, and scenic overlooks at KeyesPeak, LePages Creek and Pine River.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Wild Rivers Interpretive Center888/889-0049www.florencewisconsin.com

Nestled in the far northeastern cornerof the state, Florence County isabout as close to wilderness asyou’ll find in Wisconsin. A quarter

of the county’s 312,000 acres is held aspart of the vast Chequamegon-NicoletNational Forest that rambles over 1.5 mil-lion acres of northern Wisconsin. FlorenceCounty forests total another 36,500 acres.In all, more than 140,000 acres of thecounty are public lands.

Like most of the Great Lakes Basin,the county’s virgin pine forests were clear-cut in the 1800s. In the 1930s, federal,state and county governments took overlarge tracts of abandoned land that werethen replanted by the CCC. That reforesta-tion effort is one of the greatest conserva-tion stories in the history of the nation.

As a result, timber and forest productsare today the linchpinof the Florence Countyeconomy. More thaneighty percent of thecounty is forestedoffering recreationalopportunities foroutdoor lovers of allkinds: hikers, white-water kayakers andcanoeists, campers,hunters, birders,snowmobilers andATVers. The county ishome to two of threestate-designed wildrivers – the Pineand the Popple.There are 265lakes and 165miles of riversand streams toenjoy.

For the ATVer,Florence Countyoffers plenty of funon more than 150miles of trail. Forstarters, there’s a 17-acre ATV park on the

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south side of Fisher Lake, just outside ofFlorence. Riders of all abilities will findplenty of challenge on the park’s hills, sandflats and mud pits. Best of all – it’s all free.

Florence is the best place to start yourATV adventure. A visit to the Wild RiversInterpretive Center (888/889-0049,www.florencewisconsin.com) is a greatway to learn about the county, its accom-modations, lodges and restaurants. TheCenter also displays wonderful dioramas ofwoodland animals as well as exhibits ofcounty history. If you’re looking forovernight parking for your vehicles andtrailers, you’re welcome to park in theCenter’s lower lot.

From here you can hit the trails in vir-tually any direction. If you’re looking for ashorter loop (about 25 miles) with someterrific scenery, consider heading east fromFlorence on Montgomery Lake Road.About four miles out, the road turns southto weave along the west shore of theSpread Eagle Chain of Lakes. At the inter-

section with Old 69 Road, turn west. In amile, you’ll hit Anna Lake Road. Turn southfor about a mile to the LePages CreekOverlook. Located in the Spread EagleBarrens SNA, it offers a spectacular view ofthis State Natural Area.

Return to Old 69, then turn south forthree miles on Sand Lake Road. At theintersection with Johnson Creek Roadyou’ll get a terrific view of the Pine River asit roars through one lobe of the Pine-Popple State Wild Rivers Area. Headingwest, you’ll cross Cty. N, then turn northpast Lake Emily to the east shore of KeyesLake. The high ground to the east is KeyesPeak, a county recreation area with a 250-foot ski hill and a pretty impressive panora-ma. Follow Blome-Helgren Road back toFlorence.

If you’re looking for a longer ride, ATVtrails literally circumnavigate the county.Take the long ride for access to LaSalleFalls, Washburn Falls and ChipmunkRapids. There’s another picturesque loopon the west side of the county that tiesTipler and Long Lake.

Enjoy it all in this unspoiled land ofendless forest.

To MarinetteCounty Trails

To State of Michigan Trails(trail pass required)

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20Developed in 1996, the 20 miles of

trail within Kewaunee County’sRiverview ATV Park offer the kind ofchallenges that make for great rid-

ing. This ATV paradiseoffers a slice of every-thing: twisting trailsthrough woods andopen areas, a hillclimb, rhythm jumptrail, intense use trail, a trailfor kids and a large picnicarea on the shore of a pond.

The creation of the 220-acre ATV-onlypark was a joint project between the localBay Lake ATV Club and Kewaunee County.Riverview ATV Park is an excellent exampleof ATV registration monies used to financethe construction of ATV facilities.

The park’s entrance road (Maple Roador Cty L) divides it into two sectors. Wide,sweeping trails to the north beckon ridersof all abilities. Near the very north end ofthe park a hill climb area allows experi-enced riders to test the engine strengthand traction capabilities of their quads.Make it to the top and you can check outthe view of the surrounding countryside.

To the south, you can enjoy twistingtrails under a canopy of thick trees. Thisarea offers a variety of conditions; fromrolling terrain to flat, open areas. The trailhere is just the ticket for those looking foradventurous riding.

The southern portion of the park alsooffers several opportunities to test yourmettle. An oval-shaped trail near thesouthern end of the park might not looklike much at first glance, but its rhythmbumps will test your technical riding skill.To the east, an Intense Use Trail dips, divesand turns over a variety of terrain reminis-cent of a carnival thrill ride. A final featureof the southern sector is an oval KiddieTrail.

When you need a rest, you can stretchyour legs at the picnic area just north ofthe parking lot. A pair of farm ponds andtables in the shade makes it a great spotfor a family picnic lunch.

Riverview ATV Park

Kewaunee County

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 20 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy to difficult.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): The parkis located about 3 miles northwest ofKewaunee via Cty C to Maple Road (CtyL). Watch for the signs.

SEASON: May 1 until the snowmobiletrails open, 6am to dusk. The park isclosed during the state’s regular gundeer hunting season; from one weekprior to Thanksgiving to the Mondayafter Thanksgiving.

FEES: $4 donation. A donation box islocated at the entrance to the park.

OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:Embarrass River ATV Park, Dusty Trails,Fond du Lac OHV Park.

NOTE: Restroom facilities are availableuntil October 15. Fuel is not available atthe park.

CAUTION: Riders must wear helmetsand stay within designated areas.Violators will be barred from the park.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Tugboat“Ludington,” Kewaunee CountyHistorical Museum and Old Jail, C.D.Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility – all inKewaunee; and the von Stiehl Winery inAlgoma.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Kewaunee County RecreationHotline920/388-7199

Kewaunee County Promotions &Recreation Department920/388-0444www.kewauneeco.org

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When you’re done riding for the day,the area offers lots to see and do.Kewaunee is a charming lakeshore com-munity with more than forty homes andbuildings on the National Register ofHistoric Places. In the harbor, you can tourThe Tugboat “Ludington,” a 115-footWWII sea-going tug that served in the D-Day invasion (920/388-5000, www.city-ofkewaunee.org). The city’s long maritimehistory is displayed at the KewauneeCounty Historical Museum and Old Jail(920/388-7176). Near the ATV park, visitthe C.D. Besadny Anadromous Fish Facilityon the Kewaunee River (920/388-1025).The station gathers steelhead and salmoneggs during the spring spawning run

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(March and April). A fish ladder and specialobservation window make the watchingfun. Eleven miles up the lakeshore inAlgoma, you can tour the von StiehlWinery (800/955-5208,www.vonstiehl.com). They produce a vari-ety of fruit-based wines; taste them in theirBohemian tasting salon.

Both Kewaunee and Algoma aremajor players in the state’s sportfishingindustry. Charter boats with experiencedcaptains are ready to take you on the blue-water trout and salmon fishing adventureof a lifetime (for Kewaunee call 920-388-4010; for Algoma call 800/498-4888).

With the variety of terrain in theirATV park and their busy communities,Kewaunee County is an experience youwon’t want to miss.

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21Cheese CountryTrailLafayette, Iowa and Green Counties

They call this the Driftless Area, thissouthwestern corner of Wisconsin.While much of the rest of the statewas scraped pretty flat by glaciers,

the massive ice bulldozersnever made it this farsouth and west. Here,the countryside rises andfalls in an almost rhyth-mic ripple of ridges andvalleys. It is beautiful country.

Across this landscape therail line wove its way from val-ley to valley, bridging scores of streamsthat flowed down the valley floors. TheCheese Country Trail follows that line. Builton an abandoned railbed, the trail swingssouth and east 47 miles from Mineral Pointin Iowa County, across Lafayette County, toMonroe in Green County. A highlight of

JUST THE FACTSDISTANCE: 47 miles.DIFFICULTY: Easy.TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): InMonroe at the intersection of 21stStreet and 4th Avenue West. In MineralPoint on Darlington Road near its inter-section with Commerce Street.Additional parking is available at camp-grounds in both Gratiot and Darlington.

SEASON: The trail is open to ATVsyear ‘round except when there is snowon the trail.

FEES: None for ATVs. However, there isa $15 user fee (Cheese Country TrailSticker) for other trail users. ATV ridersare encouraged to support the trail bypurchasing a sticker.

NOTE: This is a multi-use trail. ATVs,dirt bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, horses,bicycles and hikers also use the trail.Use caution and yield to pedestrians,horses and bikers.

CAUTION: The speed limit on the trailis 30 mph. When crossing bridges it’s15 mph. Within city limits and whenoperating within 100 feet of a personor dwelling it’s 10 mph.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Pendarvis,Browntown-Cadiz Springs StateRecreation Area, Historic CheesemakingCenter, and Minhas Brewing.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:Tri-County Trails608/776-5706www.tricountytrails.com

Tri-County ATV Club608/574-2911 or 608/776-4048www.tricountyatv.org

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the trail is the 440-foot trestle that spansthe Pecatonica River just west ofBrowntown.

Many ATVers begin their journey inhistoric Mineral Point. One of the oldestcommunities in Wisconsin, it was foundedin 1827 by coal miners from Cornwall,England sent to mine lead for bullets andmusket balls. This corner of Wisconsin,where it meets Iowa and Illinois, was lousywith surface lead deposits. The miners dugshallow mines, often living in their holesleading to Wisconsin’s nickname as the“Badger State.” For more mining history,visit Pendarvis, a Wisconsin HistoricalSociety site that preserves many of thehomes of the city’s original Cornish miners(608/987-2122,www.wisconsinhistory.org).

Leaving Mineral Point, you’ll followBrewery Creek south about three miles tothe county line, then jump a valley toFurnace Creek and the Pecatonica River atSlateford. For the next 35 miles, you’lltrace the Pecatonica’s tortured routethrough Lafayette County, all the way toBrowntown.

Calamine is an old mining town. Likemany in the area, its name reflects its min-ing past; towns like Swindlers Ridge, NewDiggings, and Lead Mine. About halfwaybetween Calamine and Darlington you

have the option to check out some clubtrails that spur to the east. On those trails,you can head to Fayette, Blanchardville,Lamont or Wiota.

Next comes Darlington, the countyseat. Darlington was once known as the“Pearl of the Pecatonica” because peopleharvested clams from the river to producepearl button blanks. Here you can refuel,eat and check out the historic downtown.The county courthouse is an architecturaltreasure. Built in 1905, this sandstonebeauty includes marble walls, tiled floorsand a Tiffany glass rotunda.

From Darlington the trail winds south-east through another pair of mining towns,Gratiot and South Wayne, on its way toGreen County. Just across the county line,the trail bridges the Pecatonica River as itturns south to Illinois, then passes south ofthe Browntown-Cadiz Springs StateRecreation Area (608/966-3777,wiparks.net). This 644-acre day-use parkfeatures a pair of spring-fed lakes and awildlife refuge. From the park it’s just ashort five miles to Monroe and the end ofthe trail.

Monroe, of course, put the cheese inthe Cheese Country Trail. The art and busi-ness of making cheese has kept the citythriving for more than a century.Downtown, the Historic CheesemakingCenter tells that story (608/325-4636,www.greencounty.org). The city is also thehome of the Minhas Craft Brewery(608/325-3191, www.minhasbrewery.com).Founded in 1845, it is the oldest continual-ly operated brewery in the Midwest pro-ducing the award-winning lagers, ales andbock beers of the Berghoff label as well asBlumer’s old-fashioned sodas. Tours andtastings are offered.


Throughout the year, many ATV eventstake place across the state. Here’s a sam-pling of some of the larger ones. In addi-tion to these, many ATV clubs host eventsyear-round. Check the Wisconsin ATVAssociation (WATVA) Web site for clubinformation, news and events(www.watva.org).

Muddy 13 Raceway – Hancock, BigFlats, Wittenberg & Crandonwww.muddy13raceway.comTaking place at several sites in Wisconsin,the Muddy 13 Raceway is dubbedWisconsin’s Greatest Mud Bog Experience.It offers ATV and truck mud bog competi-tions and grass drags. You can attempt tocross through the muck on your ATV orstay dry as a spectator. There’s even a kid-die mud bog for children.

ATV’n with Feel’n – Nekoosa Dyracuse Recreational Area608/564-7537, www.monroeprairieatvclub.comEnjoy the Dyracuse Recreational Area whilehelping to make a difference. This latesummer event is a benefit ride for theExceptional Citizens of Adams County. Inaddition to the benefit ride, food anddrinks are available. It’s not only a greatway to spend a day at the park, but also aterrific way to donate to a worthy cause.Sponsored by the Monroe Riders ATVClub.

Memorial Weekend ATV Rally –Hurley/Mercer715/476-2389, www.hurleywi.com orwww.mercercc.comOne of the largest and longest runningATV events in Wisconsin. Activitiesplanned during the three-day eventinclude a poker run, cookouts and liveentertainment. Area restaurants sponsorbreakfast, lunch and dinner specials. In2005, the parade set the Guinness WorldRecord for the largest ATV parade everwith a whopping 687 ATVs in the parade.That record has since been broken, butorganizers hope to beat the new record of1,138 ATVs in 2008.

WisconsinATVEvents

Park Falls Mud Run.

ANN HARD

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ALAN ORR

ATV Adventure Weekend in Gillett.


Labor Day Weekend Rally – Park Falls715/762-4946, www.pricecountywi.netCelebrate the long holiday weekend withsome ATV riding fun. Sponsored by theFifield Dirt Devils and WATVA, you canenjoy three days of activities that include apoker run, mud run, and an off-road chal-lenge. You can also ride the area’s networkof 200 miles of trails.

Colorama Ride – Marinette County715/324-5737, www.dungood.comTaking place near the peak fall color sea-son, the Dun-Good Riders ATV club inMarinette County hosts its annualColorama Ride. In addition to riding thetrail system, the club also hosts a pokerrun and other events during the week-long celebration.

ATV Adventure Weekend – Gillett920/855-6046, www.atvadventureweekend.comATV Adventure Weekend’s three-day run isheld in late September. Over the weekendthere are several friendly competitions,vendors displaying the latest ATV products,an ATV Egg Rodeo, ATV Power Pull, X-treme Challenge course, ATV and motorcy-cle grass drags and a lumberjack chal-lenge.

Florence County Trail Days715/528-5377, www.florencewisconsin.comShowcasing a variety of scenic recreationaltrails and routes, Florence County cele-brates its hiking, biking, horseback ridingand ATV trails. Proceeds from the eventare used for trail expansion, maintenanceand signage. For the 2007 event, the local

ATV club provided 15 geocaching sitesthat were spread out over its 150-mile ATVtrail system. Area businesses also host apoker run and prizes.

Annual Pumpkin Run ATV Rally –Hurley/Mercer715/476-2389, www.hurleywi.com orwww.mercercc.comSponsored by the Hurley and Mercer AreaChambers of Commerce, the annualPumpkin Run offers four days of funincluding a poker run, fish fry, corn cobdarts, nightly entertainment and rides onthe area’s vast trail system. Fall colors canbe at their peak, providing beautiful land-scapes of red, orange and yellow.

Ultimate ATV Experience – Crandon920/419-2863, www.ultimateatvexperience.comTest your ATV riding skills or catch the rac-ing action at the Ultimate ATV Experience.Held at Crandon’s International Off-RoadRaceway, there are trail rides, dirt drags,mud bogs, TT racing, an obstacle courseand motocross racing. Organizers host sev-eral race series including the UltimateQuad, Dirt Drag and Mud BogChampionships. They take place through-out the spring, summer and fall.

Waldo Super Challenge.

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NOTE:Photos on these two pagesdepict ATV riding on closedcourses, not on a public trailor public property.


GratiotGratiot Motor Sports10410 State Hwy 11Gratiot, WI 53541608/922-3500www.gratiotmotorsports.com

HatfieldLake Arbutus Motor SportsN121 Cty JHatfield, WI 57540715/333-8600www.lakearbutusmotorsports.com

HaywardHayward Power Sports12305 W. Hwy 77Hayward, WI 54843715/462-3674www.haywardpowersports.comM & M Rental15720 Cty Hwy BHayward, WI 54843715/634-3146Miles Sales & Service13699 W. Thannum Fire LaneHayward, WI 54843715/634-2245

HazelhurstR & R Motorsports6829 Hwy 51Hazelhurst, WI 54531715/358-5349www.rnr-rentals.com

HurleyHurley Motor Sports701 Highway 51 NorthHurley, WI 54534877/561-2720

Iron RiverWanna Ride ATV & SnowmobileRentals, LLC8470 Hwy 2Iron River, WI 54847715/372-6199www.wannariderrentals.comPistol Pete’s Marine & Power Sports8540 Topper Rd.Iron River, WI 54847715/372-4191www.pistolpetesmarineservices.net

KielerMidwest Motor Sports3699 Prism laneKieler, WI 53812608/568-3600www.midwestmotorsportsonline.com

ATVRental Locations

AthelstaneWildman Whitewater RanchN12080 Allison LaneAthelstane, WI 54104888/813-8524www.wildmanranch.com

BirchwoodSeasonal Power Toys699 E Hwy 48Birchwood, WI 54817715/345-3886

Black River FallsBlack River Power Sports, IncW10120 Hwy 54Black River Falls, WI 54615715/284-2600Sport Country ATV & Marine160 Gebhardt Road – Hwy 12/27 SouthBlack River Falls, WI 54615 715/284-7228www.sportcountry.net

BloomerChippewa Valley Trail Rental LLC15351 224th AvenueBloomer, WI 54724715/568-2420www.chippewavalleytrailrental.com

ColemanExtreme Concepts103 Hwy 141 SouthColeman, WI 54112920/897-3322

CrivitzJC Power Sports404 Hwy 141 North Crivitz WI 54114715/854-9861www.jcpowersportscrivitz.com

DarlingtonMike’s Engine Works, LLC231 Washington St.Darlington, WI 53530608/776-2304www.mikesengine.com

FriendshipATV Guy1242 Hwy 13Friendship, WI 53934877/964-2800www.atv-guy.com

This publication was produced by theWisconsin Department of Tourism,Stephanie Klett, Secretary.

Edited by Eric Skogman.

Published January, 2008

Wisconsin Department of Tourism201 W. Washington AvenueP.O. Box 8690Madison, WI 53708-8690608/266-2161800/432-8747 www.travelwisconsin.com

This publication is printed on recycled paper,underscoring Wisconsin Tourism’s commitment tothe environment and to fostering stronger recyclingmarkets in Wisconsin.

MarinetteTri-County Sports & Equipment, INC2103 Hall AveMarinette, WI 54143715/735-9660, 877/735-9660www.tricountysports.com

MarshfieldPower Pac, Inc.10599 Bus Hwy 13 SouthMarshfield, WI 54449800/232-0293, 715/387-1106www.powerpacequipment.com

MellenPorky’s Northwoods ExpeditionsHwy 13 SouthMellen, WI 54546715/274-9200

MercerLoon Town ATV Rentals5202 N. Highway 51Mercer, WI 54547715/476-2330www.loontownrentals.comManitowish Sports, LLC5281 N Lakeview AveMercer, WI 54547800/997-7612www.manitowishsports.com

MerrillanBunkhouse RetreatN11702 Elker Road Merrillan, WI 54754 715/964-2000www.bunkhouseretreat.com

MinocquaWave Rentals506 W Park AveMinocqua, WI 54548715/356-5401

NeillsvilleNorm & Ann’s CampgroundW 8355 US Hwy 10Neillsville, WI 54456715/743-3620 www.nandacamp.com

Park FallsPark Falls Motors864 4th Avenue SouthPark Falls, WI 54552715/762-2009www.parksfallsmotors.com

RhinelanderRunning’s Yamaha, Inc.3761 Cty Hwy ARhinelander, WI 54501715/272-1722www.runnings.comShoeder’s Marine & Sport Center2230 Stevens St.Rhinelander, WI 54501715-365-7722, 888/311-1534www.shoedersmarine.com

SuperiorTwin Ports Recreation and Rental1215 Winter St.Superior, WI 54880715/394-4897www.twinportsrandr.com

SuringYancy Powersports9126 White Lake Rd, Suring, WI 54174888/842-2510, 920/842-2510

Three LakesSportsman’s Service & Rentals1451 N. Big Lake Loop Rd. Three Lakes, WI 54562 715/546-2196

Webb LakeThe Main Store30328 Cty. Rd HWebb Lake, WI 54830715/259-3311www.main-store.com

Documents

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