Washburn County ATV/UTV Trails
Washburn County, Wisconsin
Washburn County manages 116 miles of ATV and UTV trails, primarily on county forest lands. The Wild Rivers Trail — an abandoned railroad corridor — forms the backbone of the system, running north-south through the county for 40 miles. Registered UTVs up to 65 inches wide are welcome anywhere ATVs are allowed. Motorcycles and dirt bikes are not permitted. The county also offers a self-guided ATV Scenic Tour highlighting over 35 points of interest along the trail system.
Miles
116 mi
Difficulty
Varies
Groomed
No
Fee
Required
Don't Miss
The Washburn County ATV Scenic Tour highlights over 35 points of interest across 100+ miles — the only self-guided interpretive ATV tour in northwest Wisconsin. The Trail 39/8 loop northeast of Trego is a local favorite, crossing the Namekagon River and winding through dense county forest.
Trail Systems
Wild Rivers State Trail
A 96-mile trail total (40 miles through Washburn County) following an abandoned railroad grade from Rice Lake to Solon Springs. Open year-round to ATVs and snowmobiles. The backbone of the Washburn County trail system. UTVs permitted during groomed conditions on this trail.
Trailheads
- 📍Multiple access points throughout the county along the railroad corridor
📞 Washburn County Forestry Department — 715-635-4490
Tuscobia State Trail
74-mile trail following an abandoned railroad grade. ATV use begins 3 miles west of Birchwood and extends to Park Falls. Connects to the Wild Rivers Trail and Sawyer County trail systems.
Trailheads
- 📍3 miles west of Birchwood on the railroad grade
📞 Birchwood Bobcat Riders — birchwoodbobcatriders.com
Trail 8 & 39A
Trail 8 and Trail 39A form an 84,000-acre county forest loop northeast of Trego. Leave Trego on the Wild Rivers State Trail, cross the Namekagon River, then head northeast on Trail 39 and Trail 8 through dense county forest. A local favorite and one of the most scenic ATV loops in northwest Wisconsin. Connects south to Burnett County and north to Douglas County.
Trailheads
- 📍Trego — access from Wild Rivers State Trail
📞 Washburn County Forestry — 715-635-4490
Rocky Brook (Stony Brook) ATV Trail
Located between Minong and Spooner, the Stony Brook Trail traverses a roughly 84,000-acre parcel of Washburn County forest land. Considered a must-experience trail in northwest Wisconsin with some of the best ATVing in the area.
Trailheads
- 📍Minong area access
- 📍Spooner area access
📞 Washburn County Forestry — 715-635-4490
Washburn County ATV Scenic Tour
A self-guided tour highlighting over 35 points of interest located along the 100+ mile ATV system. Explore natural areas, historical sites, and local landmarks throughout the county.
Trailheads
- 📍Multiple — download the scenic tour map from washburncounty.org
📞 Washburn County Tourism — washburncounty.org
Rules & Regulations
- ATV use on County Forest prohibited April 1 through first Friday before Memorial Weekend — Wild Rivers Trail exempt year-round
- Motorcycles and dirt bikes NOT permitted on county ATV trails
- Registered UTVs up to 65 inches wide permitted anywhere ATVs are allowed
- UTVs permitted on Wild Rivers Trail and Shell Lake Grade during groomed conditions only
- Snowmobile trails on County Forest open to ATVs under 900 lbs December 1 through April 1 (non-private land sections only)
- All ATV use prohibited when DNR fire danger is listed as Very High or higher
- Non-resident trail pass required — purchase at dnr.wisconsin.gov
- Stay on designated trails — tread lightly
Trailer Parking
| Location | Address | Trail Access |
|---|---|---|
| Spooner — 4 miles east of Spooner off Highway 70 | Hwy 70 East, Spooner | Beaverbrook/Wildcat area |
| Trego — Wild Rivers Trail access | Trego WI on Wild Rivers State Trail | Trail 39/8 loop and Wild Rivers Trail |
ATV / UTV Clubs
- 🏍️Birchwood Bobcat Riders — birchwoodbobcatriders.com (Birchwood/Tuscobia area, 25+ miles of funded trails) — birchwoodbobcatriders.com
- 🏍️Contact Washburn County Forestry for full club list
Official Resources
Location
Quick Facts
- County
- Washburn County
- Trail Types
- ATV / UTV
- Total Miles
- 116 miles
- Difficulty
- Varies
- Season
- spring, summer, fall
- Groomed
- No
- Fee
- Yes