Date of Report: June 13, 2024
Area Report:
All County Roads in Sawyer County, outside of the LCO Reservation, are now legal for ATV/UTV use. County Roads are those named with letters. The Trail Treker app shows the current map with these changes. The paper map does not reflect these changes until the new printing this fall. Please keep routes open by policing each other, have good rider etiquette, never ride where you shouldn’t be, and please always, ride safe.
Please contact the Chequamegon National Forest’s District Recreational Info at 715-634-4821 for additional questions. For the Flambeau State Forest call 715-332-5271.
Non-Resident Trail Passes are required for ATVs. (WI residents do not need a trail pass but are required to display their registration sticker.)
State law requires ATVs to always operate with headlights on.
Sawyer County allows the use of Side by Sides on ALL ATV TRAILS, including those in the Chequamegon National Forest.
For specific questions, please feel free to reach out to Cathy LaReau at cathy@sawyercountytrails.com or 715-558-8966.
Area Information
For your FREE Trail Map and Visitor Guide, call 800-724-2992
or CLICK HERE to request your FREE trail map!
Visit us at www.atvhayward.com for more information.
ATV Clubs
Sawyer County Snowmobile and ATV Alliance
The Hayward Lakes Area of Sawyer County in Northwestern Wisconsin is a popular year-round vacation destination that has become a favorite with ATVers in the know. With an inviting small town atmosphere, Hayward makes ATV vacations easy and fun. The area offers hundreds of miles of brushed and groomed trails. There are twisting, curvy trails for wicked turns and hills and valleys for hair-raising descents. Combined, this “pleasure potpourri” satisfies virtually everyone’s definition of a perfect ATV riding experience. Come take a wild ride in the wilderness.
Trail info-The Hayward Lakes Area of Northern Wisconsin is blessed with very challenging ATV trails. A growing number of enthusiasts have made this area one of the top ATV destinations in Wisconsin and the Midwest.
For the ATV and motorcycle enthusiast, the Chequamegon National Forest contains over 140 miles of trails. Three separate trail systems with adjoining loops, offer an exciting scenic tour of the Forest. Trails wind over rolling terrain, with towering forests and panoramic views of meadows and wetlands. Unique to the state of Wisconsin, the forest’s ATV trails offer an unparalleled touring experience of the Chequamegon National Forest.
Where can I ride my ATV in Sawyer County?
1) Seeley Hills Loop: Trailhead is at the fire tower off Hwy. B – approximately 3 miles east of the junction with 27. It’s on the north side of the highway and there is parking available. Another trailhead at Hayward Power Sports, 10 miles east of Hayward on 77. Approximately 30 miles of marked trials extends from the trailhead toward Seeley. For more information, contact the Sawyer County Forestry Department, P.O. Box 880, Hayward, WI 54843 or call 715-634-4839.
2) Dead Horse Trail: For experienced riders seeking a challenge, 56 miles of trail from Loretta north into Ashland County to Clam Lake through the Chequamegon National Forest. Trailheads at Camp Loretta and east of Clam Lake on the north side of Hwy. 77. For more information, contact the Chequamagon National Forest at P.O. Box 896, Hayward, WI 54843 or call 715-634-4821.
3) Flambeau River State Forest: 40 miles of trails through the forest, open May 15 – November 15. Trailheads on County W, 1 mile west of Connors Lake, Tower Hill Road, just north of W and Fisherman’s Landing on County M. Contact Flambeau River State Forest at W1613 County Road W, Winter, WI 54896 or call 715-332-5271.
4) Tuscobia Trail: From Birchwood to Park Falls, on an abandoned railroad grade. Camping available halfway along trail at Ojibwa Park. Trail is open from April 15 to November 15, and opens to the Dead Horse Trail north, the Flambeau Trail south. Contact DNR Ranger Station, P.O. Box 187, Winter, WI 54896 or call 715-266-3511. The Chequamegon National Forest currently provides for unlimited ATV access to national forest land – unless roads and/or trails are signed, bermed, gated or posted closed. Areas designated as wilderness or semi-primitive are non-motorized and illegal to operation of ATVs. The 30 townships within the Chequamegon each have their own rules/laws concerning forest roads which are maintained by the townships. Townships have jurisdiction over maintenance and law enforcement and decide whether the road will be legal for ATV travel, in which case the road must be posted with route signs. Forest roads that are NOT maintained by the townships, and are NOT posted as “closed” are legal for ATV use and do not have to be signed. For more information, contact the Chequamegon National Forest at P.O. Box 896, Hayward, WI 54843 or call 715-634-4821. 
Sawyer County ATV Policy: ATVs are not allowed off road on self-made trails through the timber or lowland areas. ATV’s may travel on snowmobile trails, fire lanes, logging roads, and trails that are not specifically closed to ATV’s or other motorized travel. Closed trails are: The Birkie Trails and marked hunter/walking trails. ATV’s are not allowed to travel on snowmobile or other trails that cross privately owned property unless the trails are marked as an ATV trail or the operator has permission from the landowner. Stay on marked ATV trails/routes – just because snowmobiles use certain trails, it does not make it legal for ATV’s. If you don’t know if the trail is legal, don’t use it.
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