Reports

Trail Conditions: Closed

Date of Report: April 3, 2020

Area Report:

A section of the Wild River Trail will be closed to all recreational uses starting Monday April 6, 2020.  The trail will be closed from just south of the interestection with Dilly Lake Road (north of Spooner) to Oak Hill Road (Trego).  We are not able to find any re-route options.  We expect the trail section to be re-opened by Memorial Weekend. 

The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is relocating their tracks from the west to east side of the rail grade corridor.  This project should improve trail operations in the future.  We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.  Please check back for updated information as we may be able to find re-routes during certain phases of the project. Please contact Washburn County Forestry with any questions 715-635-4490

All other Washburn County ATV Trails are CLOSED as of Monday, March 9th. Due to the spring thaw, a closure for all ATV trails has been adopted. ATV Trails are anticipated to re-open Saturday morning of Memorial Day Weekend. 

In units of the forest open for motorized uses, ATV’s are also prohibited now through the first Friday before Memorial Day Weekend. 

The only exceptions to the spring closure are the Wild River State Trail and the Railroad Grade to Shell Lake which remain open unless fire danger is rated at “very high” or higher. Please refer to the link for fire danger updates: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/restrictions.html 

Trail Conditions: Closed

Date of Report: March 19, 2020

Area Report:

Washburn County ATV Trails are closed. Due to the spring thaw, a closure for all ATV trails has been adopted.  Motor vehicle use on ATV Trails is PROHIBITED through the first friday before Memorial Weekend.

ATV Trails will re-open Saturday morning of Memorial Weekend.

In units of the forest open for motorized uses, ATV’s are also PROHIBITED now through the first Friday before Memorial Weekend.

The ONLY EXCEPTIONS to the Spring closure are the Wild River Trail and the Railroad Grade to Shell Lake, which remain open unless DNR Fire Danger is rated at Very High or Higher.

Please refer to the below link for Fire Danger Updates:  http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/restrictions.html

Trail Conditions: Closed

Date of Report: March 14, 2020

Area Report:

Washburn County ATV Trails are closed. Due to the spring thaw, a closure for all ATV trails has been adopted.  Motor vehicle use on ATV Trails is PROHIBITED through the first friday before Memorial Weekend.

ATV Trails will re-open Saturday morning of Memorial Weekend.

In units of the forest open for motorized uses, ATV’s are also PROHIBITED now through the first Friday before Memorial Weekend.

The ONLY EXCEPTIONS to the Spring closure are the Wild River Trail and the Railroad Grade to Shell Lake, which remain open unless DNR Fire Danger is rated at Very High or Higher.

Please refer to the below link for Fire Danger Updates:  http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/restrictions.html

Trail Conditions: Closed

Date of Report: March 10, 2020

Area Report:

Washburn County ATV Trails are closed. Due to the spring thaw, a closure for all ATV trails has been adopted.  Motor vehicle use on ATV Trails is PROHIBITED through the first friday before Memorial Weekend.

ATV Trails will re-open Saturday morning of Memorial Weekend.

In units of the forest open for motorized uses, ATV’s are also PROHIBITED now through the first Friday before Memorial Weekend.

The ONLY EXCEPTIONS to the Spring closure are the Wild River Trail and the Railroad Grade to Shell Lake, which remain open unless DNR Fire Danger is rated at Very High or Higher.

Please refer to the below link for Fire Danger Updates:  http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/restrictions.html

Trail Conditions: Good

Date of Report: March 2, 2020

Area Report:

All official Washburn County ATV trails are considered open to year round use, with the exception of the spring closure from April 1 through the first Friday before Memorial Weekend.

Most snowmobile trails, on Washburn County Forest lands, are open for motor vehicle use under 900 pounds from December 1 through April 1.  This means that ATV’s are permitted on snowmobile trails that are not on private lands, during the winter months.  UTV’s are allowed on these same trails ONLY during non-groomed conditions.  Please note that the April 1 closure is flexible; Trails may close earlier depending on conditions.

Land use agreements with private landowners for snowmobile trails do not permit the use of ATV’s at any time of the year.