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!
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..
As captured in our last e-newsletter, the August 15th regional event is still on. Our thanks to the Rusk Riders Atv Club for lining up the outdoor pavilion in the Village of Weyerhaeuser as our host club. The shelter will provide shade but still give us ample room to comply with distancing health recommendations as we gather. More details are provided:
Saturday, August 15th - Northwest Regional Meeting, followed by an optional group trail ride afterward
Registration starts at 8:30 AM with the meeting scheduled to get underway at 9:00 AM.
Village of Weyerhaeuser Community Park pavilion located at 358 County Road F in Weyerhaeuser
The meeting agenda will include statewide updates from the WATVA leadership team followed by important regional, statewide or local issues you bring forward.
Because of the COVID-19 situation, we ask that you bring your own chairs. We'll have some seating there but highly encourage you to bring your own. Speaking of bringing your own, this year we also ask attendees to bring their own bag lunches, especially if you intend to join the optional trail ride afterward.
To recap, here's the list of what to bring:
Trail 10 is closed to Summer ATV use.
Remember - It is illegal to ride ATVs & UTVs on the Gandy Dancer Trail south of Hwy 77 in Burnett County during any non-frozen season.
During the summer season, (which runs through September 15), you may operate your ATV/UTV on State-funded Summer-Use Trails ONLY. Summer-Use Trails are designated with WHITE blazers.
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 webpage for the state definitions and registration/pass information.
Trails will close in the event of a Red Flag Alert due to fire danger. Always check back for updated information before riding.
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. Please contact the individual townships for their rules and regulations.
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: Groomers and 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.
Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association Inc.
1539 N. 33rd Place, Suite A
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920)-694-0583
info@watva.org