Effective December 15th the Eisenbahn State Trail is open in Washington County for ATV/UTV operation. Changes to trail opening/closing will be posted as temp. change. Please remember to always check the Fond du Lac County hotline for trail opening/closings prior to entering Fond du Lac county. Trail will open when the daily high for the day is 28 degrees or less until March 15th, assuming the ground is already frozen. Enjoy, stay safe, legal, and remember the trail is a shared use trail with snowmobiles and non-motorized activities.

Make sure to check out the Kettle Moraine ATV Association's page (http://www.kmatva.com/) as they post Eisenbahn trail status.

Photo by Jackson County Parks & Trails

Originally posted on: https://www.facebook.com/jacksonparkstrails

The Jackson County ATV Trails will open TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15!

Snowmobile trails remain closed until we get snow. 

A reminder that only ATVs are allowed in Jackson County during the winter riding season. Get out and enjoy the trails!

More information can be found here: https://www.co.jackson.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={072A7209-631D-4450-A14C-CA69A56BD820}

Image by Craig Lehman

WINTER SEASON NOTIFICATION

As the Natural Resources Committee has chosen to do for many years now, keeping safety in mind, Burnett County will NOT open any Winter ATV or snowmobile recreational trails for our December 1 through March 31 riding season until after all gun deer hunting seasons. There is a muzzleloader season and also an antlerless deer season through December 13. The earliest we might be able to open ANY of these winter ATV or snowmobile trails will be on December 14. (This includes all Frozen Ground Trails.)

During this time, our Fall Riding Regulations are still in effect. If you choose to ride on Burnett County Forest Lands, please consider wearing blaze orange as you are riding at your own risk - see regulations below.

OUR FALL RIDING SEASON SEPTEMBER 16-NOV. 30
(Please read all information below)

Beginning Wednesday, September 16, State-funded trails will be CLOSED. HOWEVER, from September 16 through November 30 the Burnett County Forest woods trails and forest roads are open for ATV/UTV use. What this means is that you can ride your registered ATV/UTV on any woods trail, snowmobile trail, and ATV trail that is located on County Forest Lands and is not bermed, gated, or signed as closed; and is at least eight feet wide. (A good rule of thumb is that if you can drive a truck down the trail, then you can take your ATV/UTV down it.) No off-trail use is allowed and operation on private lands is illegal unless you have permission from the private landowner.

It is very important to note that all of these trails are currently multi-use trails. This means that ANY street legal, licensed vehicle can use these trails during this time, (cars or trucks for example). It's also important to note that these trails are no longer being maintained during this time of year. For these reasons, the State-Funded Summer Use ATV Trail System is officially closed, even though you can still ride the majority of these same trails because they are located on County Forest Lands and township roads that currently allow for the use of ATV/UTVs during this time of year.

Remember, it is illegal to ride your ATV/UTV on the Gandy Dancer Trail in Burnett County south of Highway 77 at this time of year.

USE CAUTION:

Use caution and look for signage regarding timber sale activity. Trucks may be crossing trails.

All ATVs and UTVs must display either a Wisconsin registration or an ATV trail pass to ride on our trails. Only machines meeting the state definition of an ATV/UTV are allowed on these trails. Please go to the WI DNR website for definitions and registration/pass information.

Some township ordinances allow for ATV/UTV use of the town roads and others do NOT allow it. It is the rider's responsibility to contact the township in which you plan to ride in and get the current rules pertaining to ATVs/UTVs and the town roads.

NO OFF TRAIL USE IS ALLOWED - Please stay on the trails. Much of our trail system is on private land, and we appreciate the easements granted by our generous land owners. It only takes one person to have the entire trail system shut down.

Caution: Trail maintenance vehicles may be on the trails at any time.

It is your responsibility to know where you are and whose property you are on. Please be careful, be respectful to other trail users, and ride safely.

Contact Information

If you need any maps, or if you need any other information, please contact Burnett County Tourism at 1-800-788-3164 or feel free to email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To contact Burnett County Forest & Parks, please visit their website at www.burnettcounty.com/trails.

A worker from Heim’s Hillcrest Dairy seeds the new 9-acre native pollinator buffer at Riverview ATV Park. Contributed photo

The views at Riverview ATV Park are going to be a bit more scenic for visitors next season when the park reopens for riding in spring 2021.

The Kewaunee County Land & Water Conservation Department as well as the Kewaunee County Promotions & Recreation Department have just wrapped up work on a restoration project at the park, which began in fall 2018, to address water quality, erosion, and habitat improvement. This initiative was made possible with the help of federal, state and community partners who worked to construct a pollinator buffer and wetland basins.

The final step in the restoration project was to seed the park's new nine-acre native pollinator buffer, and that was just completed with the help of Heim's Hillcrest Dairy, which donated its time and machinery. The pollinator buffer will benefit wildlife and pollinator species as well as prevent erosion and surface runoff.

Also, three wetland basins were created as part of the project along the western edge of the park's wooded ravine. These basins aim to boost environmental conservation efforts, including improving water quality, capturing and slowing water flow – serving an overall land area of more than 240 acres.

In addition, through a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant, rock was placed along the ravine corridor to stabilize the banks.

A special thank you is also being extended to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for a grant that provided the construction of the wetland basins and native seed as well as Bay Lake ATV Club, a not-for-profit friends group that volunteers to help with park improvements and maintenance.

The DNR reminds hunters to ride safely when using ATVs and UTVs during their hunt this year. / Photo Credit: iStock/Kyryl Gorlov

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to ride safely when using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) during their hunt this year.

Since January, 33 people have died in ATV and UTV-related crashes in 2020. Most of the incidents involved people not wearing a helmet or seat belt. There were 22 fatal crashes in 2019.

Hunters often use ATVs or UTVs to retrieve harvests or travel off-road to their hunting location. Hunters should remember to wear helmets and buckle up. Most hunting incidents involving ATVs or UTVs often occur on private lands and are linked by common factors.

"ATVs and UTVs are powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles. Oftentimes, accidents happen by simply going too fast for conditions, not judging the curve correctly or not knowing the terrain," said DNR Conservation Warden Lt. Jon King. "Safety is part of the fun. Please ride responsibly so everyone can get back to their families safely."

Follow these tips for a safe ride:

• Don't drink and ride.
• Slow down.
• Some terrain in Wisconsin is too steep for ATV/UTVs. Please be careful while traversing hills.
• Complete an ATV safety course. ATV riders at least 12 years old and born after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete a course before operating an ATV. UTV operators must be at least age 16. This course may be completed either in a classroom or online.
• Display registration ID number on a rear plate for all ATVs and UTVs registered for public use.
• Always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet. Hunters are more likely to come across low hanging branches or uneven terrain. Serious injuries and death can occur even at the slowest of speeds.
• Just as with other vehicles, long guns and bows/crossbows must be fully unloaded before transporting them in or on an ATV or UTV.
• Remove mud, dirt and any vegetation from your machine before using it in other areas. Machines can easily transport invasive plant species or seeds that are harmful to local habitats.
• Do not operate in or around waterways or wetlands. ATVs and UTVs are only allowed to cross waterways at bridges, roads or legal fords. Machine use in these areas is illegal and causes serious habitat damage that is very costly to repair.
• Know before you go. Review all ATV/UTV laws here.

Contact: Lt. Martin R. Stone, DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 608-778-2035
Lt. Jon King, DNR Hunter Education Administrator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 608-575-2294

The Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association has three awards that are given out each year during our annual meeting. They are named after passed individuals that have had a substantial impact to our ATV / UTV program throughout the years. It's the highest honor we can bestow upon these individuals to remember their own dedication and sacrifices for our trail systems. 

If you know someone that should be nominated for an award, click here.

ALL TRAILS ARE NOW OPEN!!Trails to Millston have been fixed and are open. Some areas may still be rough, use caution! 

The Bell Mound and The Oak Ridge Trails have both been groomed. Trails to from Black River Falls to Hatfield have also been groomed. Trails going to Pray were not groomed due to equipment breakdown.

All of our Parks are FULL for the weekend, we do not have any availability other than our walk-up sites at Wazee Lake, Merlin Lambert and Crawford Hills.

We wish everyone a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We thank you for a very busy summer in our Parks. As summer winds down and fall moves in we are still open to camp first come, first serve. We offer an $80.00/week rate and all sites are $20.00/night.

Remember to continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands often and pick up and liter on the trail system. 

Most importantly, be KIND!

Labor Day weekend is expected to be a busy time on ATV/UTV trails and road routes as many celebrate this final weekend of summer. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The DNR is encouraging ATV and UTV operators to brush up on safe practices ahead of the Labor Day holiday. So far in 2020 there have been 23 fatal ATV and UTV incidents, compared to 14 in 2019.

The state's off-highway vehicle administrator says operators of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTV) should know the state laws and proven safety practices before enjoying any of Wisconsin's designated trails and routes this weekend.

"Labor Day weekend is expected to be a busy time on our trails and road routes as many celebrate this final weekend of summer," said Lt. Martin R. Stone, Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Bureau of Law Enforcement. "We want everyone to enjoy themselves and to return home with fun stories of their outings. To do that, knowing the ATV-UTV laws and safe operation practices is a must."

SAFETY TIPS & SAFETY COURSE

Stone said when used safely and wisely, ATVs and UTVs can provide a source of fun and family recreation as well as a useful tool for work and exploring the outdoors. When used unwisely by untrained, inexperienced operators, they can be dangerous. It is the responsibility of all ATV & UTV operators to make the sport a safe one. Please remember these safety tips:

• Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.
• Wear your seat belt and your helmet! It could save your life.
• While you're at it, wear protective clothing such as eye protection, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeve shirt.
• Keep your speed in check for the terrain, visibility conditions and your experience.

"One of the best things you can do is take a safety course," Stone said.

The online courses can be found here. ATV and UTV operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 who are at least 12 years old for an ATV (and at least 16 years old for UTV) must complete an ATV safety certification course to operate in Wisconsin (exception: on private property owned by operator's immediate family).

NEW LAWS REFRESHER

Stone says the new state laws, which took effect March 4, affect passenger requirements, headlamps, operational requirements, vehicle legal definitions and more. Here are the highlights:

• ATV operators cannot have a passenger riding in or on any part of an ATV that is not designed or intended to be used by passengers. Previously, this law only applied to roadways. After market seating does not comply with the law.
• For ATVs, low-pressure tires are no longer required; instead, the only requirement is three or more tires. ATVs are required to be commercially designed and manufactured and their width cannot exceed 50 inches as measured laterally between the outermost wheel rims on each side of the vehicle.
• For UTVs, low-pressure tires are also no longer required; instead, they must have four or more tires. UTVs must be originally manufactured with, and must have at all times, a width of not more than 65 inches as measured laterally between the outermost wheel rims on each side of the vehicle.
• ATVs and UTVs must now have a lighted headlamp and tail lamp during operation – regardless of time of day and location.
• No person (except emergency services personnel) may operate an ATV or UTV that is equipped with any of the following:
  • A lamp that emits a color other than white or amber and that is visible from directly in front of the vehicle.
  • A lamp that emits any color of light other than red, yellow, amber or white and that is visible from directly behind the ATV or UTV.
  • A flashing, oscillating or rotating lamp that emits any color other than yellow or amber.
• Any person operating an ATV or UTV must dim his or her high-beam headlamps and any auxiliary lamps when within 500 feet of an approaching ATV/UTV or vehicle, and within 500 feet to the rear of another ATV/UTV or vehicle.
• ATVs and UTVs cannot be operated with anything else other than tires (exception: private property or frozen waters).

You can find more information on ATV and UTV regulations here. 

UPDATE FOR FRIDAY 8/28/20

The Bell Mound and Oak Ridge Trails headed to Millston are CLOSED effective Friday, August 28, 2020 due to flooding.

The Millston area received upwards of 6 inches of rain, many areas of the trail are washed out. Please be advised this area is closed until further update!

https://www.facebook.com/jacksonparkstrails/photos/a.1420512818274726/2751365608522767/?type=3&theater

Contact(s): Phil Rynish, DNR property planner
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 608-977-0286

SUGAR CAMP, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking input on proposed plans for improved access to ATV/UTV routes and trails in and around the Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest. This enhanced access would be made possible through the designation of 1.4 miles of ATV/UTV routes on DNR roads within the state forest. DNR roads proposed for ATV/UTV route designation in the towns of Sugar Camp and Woodruff, would, in conjunction with routes on local and county roads, contribute to a system of ATV/UTV routes through the forest that connect communities and provide additional recreation opportunities.

The Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest provides opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreation on its 236,000 acres and more than 900 lakes within its boundaries. The forest is spread across three counties near the towns of Woodruff, Minocqua and Boulder Junction. The ATV/UTV routes are being planned through the master plan variance process. A master plan variance is a change in the use or management of an area that is consistent with the area's land management classification and objectives. This variance proposal accompanies an October 2017 amendment to the recreation portion of the State Forest's 2005 Master Plan and subsequent variances approved in 2018 and 2019.

The public can review the draft variance, maps that show the proposed and previously planned routes and submit comments here. Questions or comments should be submitted by Sept. 11, 2020.

Questions or comments can also be submitted to Phil Rynish, DNR property planner, via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or mail at Wisconsin DNR; Attn: Phil Rynish; PO Box 7921; Madison, WI 53707-7921.

Flambeau Trail Update

8/18/20 – USFS Crews have been busy fixing mud holes and blading out the trails. Crews moved into the Blockhouse Lake area today to work on trail 118A-111 where the recent rains have resulted in some significant mud holes. Trail users may encounter heavy machinery on the trail so please ride with caution. Beavers have been active as well on trail 118A-111 near FR 144 / Shady Knoll Road. Trappers are currently working in that area to remove the beavers. There is currently minimal dust on the trails and they are in pretty grate shape for late summer. If you encounter any water over the trail, or any other issues or concerns with the trails please contact Brady Howe at 715-762-5104, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..