ATVing/UTVing

Jackson County trails open May 15 – Oct 15 (ATVs & UTVs) and Dec 15 – Mar 15 (ATVs ONLY – UTVs are not allowed on the trail system in winter) 
Clark County trails open May 15 – Oct 31 and Dec 15 – Mar 15

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS!

There are many places to ride all-terrain vehicles in the Upper Midwest but the center of the ATV/UTV universe is the Black River Falls area.

Recently voted the Best Place to go Four Wheeling by the 2019 La Crosse Tribune Best of the Best reader’s choice awards.

What makes this area known for having some of the best ATV/UTV and single-track motorcycle trails? ATV/UTVers can ride more than 100 miles through Jackson County and an additional 135 miles through neighboring Clark County.

The trails take you through rolling landscapes and over pristine streams with natural beauty truly unique in the Midwest. Riders coming to the Black River Falls area will find 335,000 acres of public forest, municipal ordinances favorable to motorized trail riding, and hundreds of miles of designated trails – everything the modern rider demands!

Businesses welcome ATV/UTV riders, who have many options for weekend stays. There are more than 500 hotel rooms in Black River Falls and other lodging options including campgrounds, lodges, resorts and bed and breakfasts.

When you’re not on the trails, enjoy great local taverns, restaurants, unique shopping, breweries, wineries and a casino. There is also a trail extension that connects with many Black River Falls businesses, including trail access to four of the motels.

ATV/UTV trail passes are $35.00.

City Streets Open To ATVs/UTVs
On August 3, 2021, the Black River Falls Common Council approved Ordinance #865 which designates all city-maintained roads, streets, alleys, and highways, including any city-maintained parking lots, except connecting highways, as open to all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”) or utility terrain vehicle (“UTV”) routes, except as otherwise posted, and authorizes the operation of ATVs or UTVs on all state, connecting and county highways with a posted speed limit of 35 MPH or less within the territorial boundaries of the City, except as otherwise posted.
All signage is in place, so effective immediately, ATVs/UTVs are officially allowed on certain city streets as outlined in Ordinance #865.
• The hours of operation are 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
• All ATV/UTV operators are required to ride single file.
• Operators MUST be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.
• Operators are required to have liability insurance and be able to provide proof of insurance.
• Operators of any ATV/UTV are prohibited from possessing any form of open alcoholic beverage.
• The Black River Falls Police Department has the authority to temporarily close any ATV/UTV route whenever conditions warrant closure.
• Violators are subject to a citation and fines of not less than $100 or more than $250.

Trail Access & Parking

Jackson County ATV/UTV Trail Access and Parking

  • On East 7th St., near Castle Mound State Park
  • Off Hwy 12, two miles west of Millston
  • Junction County Hwy O and N. Settlement Rd., one mile east of Millston
  • Ott Trail parking lot on Airport Rd., east of Black River Falls
  • Highway 54, ten miles east of Black River Falls, just east of Wildcat-Spangler Rd.
  • West Clay School Rd. near East Arbutus Campground, southeast of Hatfield
  • East Arbutus Campground, north of W. Clay School Rd.
  • Crawford Hills County Park, twenty miles west of Black River Falls on Hwy 54

Clark County ATV/UTV Trail Access and Parking

  • Oak Ridge Parking Lot, Hwy M north of Hwy GG
  • Rock Dam Park, Wildrock Park, Junction of Hwy M and Hwy I
  • Hwy 10 Parking Lot, on Hwy 10 one mile northeast of intersection of Hwy B and Hwy 10
  • Wildcat Park, Hwy B five miles east of Humbird
  • Hatfield Pines Parking Lots, two lots located off Bush Rd. east of Hwy J

All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trail Pass – $35.00

Wisconsin law requires those who use Wisconsin ATV trails to display either Wisconsin registration or an ATV trail pass. Funds from this program will be designated for use as trail aids and related costs to enhance all Wisconsin ATV recreation. The trail pass may be purchased online at our Online Licensing Center, over the counter at any license sales location, or by phone at 1-877-945-4236.

  • The $35.00 non-resident ATV trail use pass is valid through March 31st of the following year.
  • A 5-Day nonresident trail pass is available for both UTVs and ATVs. The cost of the 5-day trail pass is $20.00.
  • The ATV trail pass is required to operate an ATV.
  • The trail pass must be permanently affixed by its own adhesive in a highly visible location on the forward half of the ATV.
  • Once affixed, the sticker may not be removed or transferred to another ATV.

When use safely and wisely an all terrain vehicle (ATV) can provide a source of fun and family recreation. When used unwisely by an untrained, inexperienced operator, an all-terrain vehicle can be very, very dangerous. With safety in mind, an all-terrain vehicle can be a useful tool for work and a great means of exploring the outdoors.

AVAILABLE AT:

  • BLACK RIVER POWERSPORTS INC                          W10120 STATE HWY 54 BRF, WI 54615                               (715)284-2600
  • DOUBLE T QUIK STOP                                                 302 N WASHINGTON ST MERRILLAN, WI 54754            (715)333-7650
  • MELROSE EXPRESS MART                                         301 S WASHINGTON MELROSE, WI 54642                       (608)488-7017
  • MOE HARDWARE                                                         33 MAIN ST BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI 54615                     (715)284-4621
  • TAYLOR GENERAL STORE                                         30 2ND ST, TAYLOR, WI 54659                                               (715)662-3673
  • WAL-MART STORE 1277                                             611 HWY 54 E BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI                              (715)284-2434
  • THEISEN’S                                                                      616 HWY 54 BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI                                 (715)-284-1275

Motorcycle Registration Information – $20.00 – Effective January 1, 2008 all motorcycles and their operators must be licensed to be on the trail system with the exception of the single track motorcycle loop by Crawford Hills. All motorcycles using the Jackson County trails are required to purchase a County use sticker PRIOR TO operating on the trail system. Stickers are available at the following locations:

SurePlus Stay Hotel by Best Western-Black River Falls- 600 Oasis Rd, Black River Falls, WI 54615

Black River Powersports- W10120 WI-54, Black River Falls, WI 54615

Forestry and Parks Offices- W9790 Airport Rd, Black River Falls, WI 54615

The Rustic Buck Bar & Grill- N8376 Pray Rd, Pittsville, WI 54466

Back Roads Saloon- N8395 Pray Rd Pray, WI 54466

Millston Kwik Mart –  W6575 County Road O Millston WI 54643

Riders are cautioned to ride only on the marked trails, and to ride safely and responsibly at all times to ensure the future of the sport. STAY ON THE MARKED TRAIL – OR STAY HOME!

Please visit this site for additional information on the trails, regulations and conditions: http://www.co.jackson.wi.us

Who may operate an All-Terrain Vehicle?

  • Children who are at least 12 and who are born on or after January 1, 1988 may operate an ATV on public riding areas,(trails, frozen waters, open country and forest areas, etc) if they hold a valid WI ATV safety certificate. Other state agency and provincial safety certificates are accepted in WI.
  • NOTE: ASI (All-terrain Vehicle Safety Institute) certificates are not valid in Wisconsin.
  • Operators of all terrain vehicles (ATV) now have a convenient online method to receive ATV Safety Certification through an Internet Web course recently introduced by the state Department of Natural Resources. The Internet course is available at offroad-ed.com/wi. As an alternative, check the DNR’s Upcoming Recreational Safety Education Classes web page to find classroom courses available around the state.
  • No one under the age of 12 may operate an ATV on a roadway under any circumstances
  • No one under 16 may rent or lease an ATV.
  • Riders under age 18 must wear a helmet (motorcycle type, Snell or DOT approved) when operating on public riding areas.
  • Agriculture exemption-Children who are at least age 12 and who are born on or after January 1, 1988 may operate an ATV on lands under the management and control of a person immediate family without certification for agricultural purposes. If you operate on someone else’s land and you are at least 12 and born on or after January 1, 1988, you must be certified. Children age 12 AND who were born after January 1, 1988 may operate an ATV on certain roadways ONLY when the ATV is used exclusively as an implement of husbandry AND the person holds a valid ATV safety certificate. Operators born before January 1, 1988 are not required to hold a safety certificate for the agriculture-roadway exemption, but riders are strongly encouraged to consider taking an ATV safety course.
  • Children under age 12 may operate a Small All-Terrain Vehicle on an all-terrain vehicle trail designated by the Department if the child is wearing a helmet and accompanied by a parent. (Small ATV means an ATV that has 4 wheels and that has either an engine certified by the manufacturer and not more than 90 cc’s or an equivalent power unit-s. 23.33 (1)(jp).) (Accompanied means being subject to continuous verbal direction and control per s. 23.33(1)(a)).

NOTE:

Additional helmet information: Persons under 18 years of age may not operate or be a passenger on an ATV without wearing protective headgear (helmet) with the chin strap properly fastened.. The only exceptions are:

  1. Persons over 12 years of age traveling for hunting or fishing purposes.
  2. During operation for agricultural purposes.
  3. When operated on land under the management and control of the operator’s immediately family.

The descriptions above are only a portion of the laws regulating ATV riding. Please see the regulation pamphlet for the complete set of regulations; visit http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cs/registrations/ATV.htm

License Plates:

 

Effective 7/1/12 all ATV’s must have a rear license plate.

  • Plate will be minimum of 4 inches in height and 7 ½ inches wide.
  • Plate must be white.
  • Black lettering a minimum of 1 ½ inches high with a minimum 3/16 inch stroke.
  • Need only the 4 registration numbers and two letters that follow-same as on the registration decal.
  • Owner shall maintain the plate so it is in legible condition.
  • Plate shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.

Plates can be made or purchased. More info at www.watva.org/index.php/wisconsin-atv-utv-license-plates

Single Track Trail Motorcycling

Some of the best single track motorcycling in Wisconsin can be found in Jackson and Clark counties. The Jackson Forest has 28 miles of single-track (enduro) motorcycle trails. All trails are one-way and are accessible only to motorcycles. Trail heads are located at Crawford Hills ATV/Motorcycle Park. Use of the trails requires the purchase of an annual Jackson County use sticker. Motorcycle trails are open May 15-October 15. One of the finest motorcycle trails anywhere is the Knobby Ridge Motorcycle Trail, located eight miles west of Neillsville on Hwy 10 in Clark County. You’ll find 18 miles of designated motorcycle trails winding through the Clark County Forest.

Only street legal motorcycles, driven by licensed operators, are allowed on the Jackson County and Clark County ATV trail systems. Non-street legal motorcycles may only operate on the Crawford Hills ATV/Motorcycle Park located in Jackson County or on the Knobby Ridge Motorcycle Trail in Clark County.

Jackson County Single Track Motorcycle Trails Map

UTVs

ATV trails are open to UTVs from May 15 through October 15. UTVs are not allowed on the trail system December 15 – March 15. UTVs must be registered for public use before using the public trail.

Learn more about the UTV Registration, Regulations and Grants

Regulations

ATVing and off-road motorcycling in Jackson and Clark counties are activities subject to the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Complete ATV and off-road motorcycle laws and regulations can be found at dnr.wi.gov.

County Specific Regulations

Some specific county regulations apply when riding in Jackson County and Clark County. For complete regulations for each county, contact individual county governments.

Emergency Contacts

Clark County Sheriff’s Department
(800) 743-2420
(715) 743-3157
911 (Emergency)

Jackson County Sheriff’s Department
(715) 284-9009 (Administration)
(715) 284-5357 (Emergency services)
911 (Emergency)