ATV
**ATV/UTV TRAILS OPEN SATURDAY OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FOR THE SEASON**
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.
ATV/UTV Rentals
If you are looking to hit the trails and need an ATV for a day, weekend, or a week, there are ATV/UTV Rentals available to help you get out there and have a good time. Here are a few places to rent an ATV or UTV:
There are also dealers in the area if you are looking for a more permanent solution. Click here for a list of ATV Rentals/Dealers.
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 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
- Birchwood Bobcats ATV Club
- Minong Trails Club
- Rolling Hills Snowmobile and ATV Club
- 4 Seasons Recreational Club, Wascott
News:
4/24/13- Free Wheel'n Weekend is coming up on June 1st and 2nd! This is a great opportunity to try our trails without having to purchase a registration. Then, if you love our trails (which we're sure you will!) you can register your ATV or UTV and enjoy them the rest of the year! For more information on the Free Wheel'n Weekend, visit the Wisconsin ATV Association's website
12/1/12-Scheduled to open in the Spring of 2013, the Minong ATV Campground will be located along the Wild Rivers Trail in Minong. The campground will feature 10 RV Sites and 5 Tent Sites. RV sites will offer electric, water and sewer. Amenities will include a dump station, trailer parking, comfort station, grills and pavilion.
The Wild Rivers Trail runs from Rice Lake, directly through Washburn County, north to Superior and connects with the Tri-County Corridor. Many beautiful ATV trails connect to the Wild Rivers Trail such as the Stony Brook Trail east of Minong. The campground will offer great trail-access camping and will allow ATV enthusiasts to hop on the trail and ride one direction one day, come back and stay at their campsite, then ride a different direction another day. It will act as a great hub for being able to explore hundreds of miles of trails.
Photo of the new Minong ATV Campground-Fall 2012