ATV
Over 100 miles of ATV trails linking to an ever-growing Northwest Wisconsin ATV Trail system make Washburn County a premier ATV destination. Multiple loops throughout the county, linking to the Wild River Trail, create an ATV experience like no other. Ample ATV parking areas and access to lodging and restaurants make planning an ATV vacation easy. ATV trails open the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and stay open through the winter. Fall is an especially enjoyable time to explore the area trails and take in the breathtaking fall colors.
The County Forest does allow limited motorized vehicle access on roads and trails within the forest. The Washburn County Forest is split into 31 integrated resource management units, each unit designated as open to motorized travel; open to motorized travel on designated roads and trails; or closed to all motorized travel.
The County has 49,000 acres of forest open to motorized travel on all established roads and trails; 78,000 acres of forest with roads open to motorized travel on a two mile density, and 21,000 acres closed to all motorized travel.
Two wheel motorized travel is prohibited on all areas of the County Forest. Off trail travel is prohibited, and all motor vehicle travel is prohibited from April 1 to May 31 of each year to protect the forest during periods of high fire danger.
ATV Trail Maps
Request your FREE ATV Trail Map
- Tuscobia Trail (PDF)
The Tuscobia Trail is a 74 mile trail that follows an abandoned railroad grade. The trail is open to ATV use from three miles West of Birchwood to Park Falls.
- Wild Rivers Trail (PDF)
The Wild Rivers Trail is a 96 mile trail that follows an abandoned railroad grade. The trail is currently open between Rice Lake and Solon Springs. The trail crosses Washburn County for 40 miles. For more information on the Wild Rivers Trail, click here.
- Stony Brook ATV Trail (PDF)
The 20 mile long Minong ATV Trail, Stony Brook Trail, provides a link between the Wild River Trail north of Minong and communities in Sawyer County near Nelson Lake. The trail runs on county forest roads with 18 miles of wooded trails. Portions of the trails in the Washburn County Forest are closed from to ATV travel from April 1 to May 31.
- Spider Lake ATV Trail (PDF)
The heart of 18 mile spider Lake ATV trail system is a loop around the Spider Lake chain in the Birchwood area. The trail also connects south to the Tuscobia Trail, west of Birchwood and north to the Birchwood Firelane. This north connection also links to the Harmon Lake and Beaverbrook trails that link to Spooner.
- Beaverbrook ATV Trail (PDF)
The Beaverbrook ATV Trail is a 6 mile, wooded trail connecting the Wild River Trail with the Harmon Lake Trail.
- Harmon Lake ATV Trail (PDF)
The Harmon Lake ATV Trail is a 12 mile trail connection between the Beaverbrook Trail and the Spider Lake Loop system. This connector provides an ATV trail link between Spooner, the Wild River Trail, and the village of Birchwood.
Trail Conditions
- Visit the Trail Conditions area for up-to-date information on recreational trails or call 1-800-367-3306 to hear trail conditions 24/7.
UTV's (Utility Terrain Vehicles)
Registered UTV's are currently allowed on the Washburn County Trail System anywhere that ATV's are allowed. More information on the UTV Pilot Program, registering your UTV and more is available on the DNR Page.
Registration
The All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Registration Application MUST BE VALIDATED prior to operation of the machine.
- All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Registration Application Form 9400-376
- To submit an application, the following locations are validation stations in Washburn County.
Minong Ranger Station
Hwy 77E, Minong WI 54859
(715) 466.2022 [call ahead]
DNR Northern Region Headquarters
810 W Maple St, Hwy 70 West
Spooner WI 54801
(715) 635.2101
(715) 635.4105 fax
(715) 635.4001 tdd
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trail Pass
Wisconsin law requires those who use Wisconsin ATV trails to display either Wisconsin registration or an ATV trail pass. Funds from this program will be designated for use as trail aids and related costs to enhance all Wisconsin ATV recreation. The trail pass may be purchased online at the Wisconsin DNR website: www.dnr.state.wi.us or over the counter at any Washburn County license sales location.
- The non-resident ATV trail use pass is an annual pass.
- An ATV trail pass is required to operate an ATV.
- The trail pass must be permanently affixed by its own adhesive in a highly visible location on the forward half of the ATV.
- Once affixed, the sticker may not be removed or transferred to another ATV.
When used safely and wisely an all terrain vehicle (ATV) can provide a source of fun and family recreation. When used unwisely by an untrained, inexperienced operator, an all-terrain vehicle can be very, very dangerous. With safety in mind, an all-terrain vehicle can be a useful tool for work and a great means of exploring the outdoors.
It is the responsibility of all ATV operators to make the sport a safe one. Take an ATV Safety Course.
ATV Clubs
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ATV TRAIL SYSTEM
The Wisconsin All-Terrain Vehicle Association is holding the annual TREADY awards right now! Anyone can vote, you do not need to be a WATVA member.
Vote for your favorite:
Dealership
Lodging/Resort
Restaurant
Trail System
Special Event
Do you love Washburn County's ATV Trails? Then log on and vote for the
"Washburn County Trail System" as your favorite trail system!