Date of Report: December 11, 2023
Area Report:
With our current lack of snow, it is a great time to still get out for a ride. Here are the updated places you can ride as well as a list of current closures.
Places Currently Open to Ride:
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (light green on map):
Trails in the CNNF are open to both ATVs and UTVs during winter months; this includes the Dead Horse Run Motorized Trail. However; Trail 203 (or snowmobile map trail 21) is now closed to ATV use until May 1 next year. Coming from Bayfield County – this includes several Fire roads, the main one being FR 203, and a wooded trail that comes out onto Scheers Rd, then there is a short run on Hwy 77 to County Rd S. Just the upper portion of County Rd S is closed – S is open closer to Moose Lake to access Louie’s Landing, etc.
Sawyer County Forest (darker green on ATV map):
ATV trails within the Sawyer County Forest are open to ATV and UTV use until snow grooming begins. Once trails are groomed, UTVs are not allowed. ATVs 900 lbs. and under are allowed on county forest trails throughout winter.
Road routes, along with ATV trails on private land, are generally open all year to ATV/UTV use, but it’s smart to check with towns, LCO Conservation, or local clubs, if you have questions or want updated information before you ride.
Routes and Trails Currently Closed:
The Tuscobia State Trail:
The TST closes to ATV/UTV use from November 15 through December. 15 for hunting season and reopens after that for use throughout winter.
Flambeau River State Forest (large orange area on ATV map, in SE corner of Sawyer Co.):
Trails within the Flambeau River State Forest close to ATV/UTV use on November 15 until after spring thaw, typically mid-May.
- Cty. Hwy. S from Town of Spider Lake town line north to Hwy 77.
- The short route on Hwy 77 (from Cty. Hwy. S to Sheers Rd).
- Trail 21 (series of connected trails and forest roads leading up to Bayfield county)
- Tuscobia Trail is closed until Dec 15 – it opens up after that for year round use
- Trail 203 (or snowmobile map trail 21) is now closed to ATV use until May 1 next year. Coming from Bayfield County – this includes several Fire roads, the main one being FR 203, and a wooded trail that comes out onto Scheers Rd, then there is a short run on Hwy 77 to County Rd S. Just the upper portion of County Rd S is closed – S is open closer to Moose Lake to access Louie’s Landing, etc.
- Bayfield county trails are open.
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.