14 Best ATV Trails in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is easily one of the best places to ride ATVs in the United States, thanks to the great variety of terrain and scenery and its extensive organized network of trails. The large majority of courses are officially cataloged by the Wisconsin tourism boards, while ATV clubs all over the state work to maintain them all year round.

The state of Wisconsin, America’s Dairyland, also makes an excellent destination for its proximity to the Great Lakes, nearby Lake Michigan, and fun events like snowmobile derbies in winter. You can combine your ATV trips with fishing and hunting, camping, of course, and lots of other great outdoor activities.

Where are the best ATV trails in Wisconsin? With such a great ATV trail network, it’s hard to pick!

Here are the top 14 ATV trails in Wisconsin:

1. Washburn County Scenic ATV Tour
2. Black River State Forest
3. Tri-County Corridor Trail
4. Burnett County ATV Trail System
5. Embarrass River ATV Park
6. Chippewa County ATV Trail
7. Kewaunee County Riverview ATV Park
8. Iron County ATV Trails
9. Cheese Country Trail System
10. Barron County Trails
11. Oconto County ATV Trail System
12. Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest 
13. Neillsville Trails
14. Pine Line Trail

Let’s have a look at these top ATV trails and parks all over Wisconsin.

14 Best ATV Trails in Wisconsin

1. Washburn County Scenic ATV Tour

One of the best ATV trails in Wisconsin is on the Washburn County Scenic ATV Tour. You can ride 100 miles on these trails, which highlight no less than 35 points of interest on the way. Riding along, you can find out about the state’s history, discover ruins of old buildings, and enjoy the Namekagon River.

This is an incredibly popular tour linking to Wild Rivers and Tuscobia State Trails, with an excellent infrastructure built around it to facilitate tourism. You’ll find options for renting ATVs if you don’t own one already, ample parking, restaurants, and accommodation. It’s a great destination in summer or fall.

2. Black River State Forest

The Black River State Forest ATV trail is another excellent location to ride your ATV in Wisconsin. You’ll be greeted by 68,000 acres of pine and oak forest here, in the central Wisconsin area near the city of Black River Falls, only 2 hours south-east of Minneapolis.

The forest is open all year from 6 am to 11 pm, and you’ll need to pay for a vehicle admission sticker, after which you’re free to explore the waymarked trails.

The highlight of your trip will be Wazee Lake, the site of a former iron mine where scuba diving is now very popular. This is also a camping ground so you can make it a base for staying overnight.

3. Tri-County Corridor Trail

One of Wisconsin’s most popular natural sightseeing spots is Amnicon Falls, situated in the Amnicon Falls State Park. You can ride to the falls on the scenic Tri-County Corridor Trail (62 miles long) in Douglas County.

Overall, the trail system is 82 miles long, taking you to great spots to park up and hike to the Amnicon Falls as well as the Big Manitou Falls. The most scenic way to ride to the latter is on Saunder’s Grade Trail.

4. Burnett County ATV Trail System

As mentioned before, the strength of Wisconsin ATV trails is that numerous volunteers work to maintain large trail systems at the county and club level. It’s the case for Burnett County, where you’ll find the Gandy Dancer Trail (49 miles in total) toward Danbury, driving across the St. Croix Trestle Bridge.

The section within Burnett County is especially great for smooth riding, featuring crushed limestone surfacing. If that isn’t quaint and historic enough for you, there are also some fantastic trails at the Namekagon Barrens State Wildlife Area. Vast forest views await in this 6,450-acre park where you’ll find the highest population of sharp-tailed grouse in Wisconsin.

5. Embarrass River ATV Park

If you want to ride somewhere specifically made for ATVs, head to Embarrass River ATV Park in Tigerton. The park has 30 miles of ATV trails for all levels, and it also offers a campground open from April to the end of October.

You need to pay a day fee to use the park, $10 during the week and $20 at weekends, but there are weekly and seasonal passes available too. In return, you’ll get well-groomed trails, mud pits, and ponds, as well as incredible views of the river that runs through the park.

6. Chippewa County ATV Trail

Known for challenging hills and valleys, Chippewa County is a great place to ride your ATV on the remnants of retreating glaciers, which have left their mark on the area’s geography. You’ll get access to 33,000 acres of forest land as you ride the 19 miles of trail, with steep climbs and incredible views.

While this is not the longest trail you can ride in Wisconsin, it’s the dramatic landscapes and the technical difficulty that make it one of the most popular ATV trails in the state.

7. Kewaunee County Riverview ATV Park

This ATV park offers a great combination of views, technical trails, and things to do beyond riding. There are 20+ miles of groomed trails available to ride, as well as a historic community where you can see old buildings and learn about the maritime past on Lake Michigan.

Kewaunee County Riverview ATV Park also offers some facilities such as restrooms and picnic tables, but there’s more within reach once you’re there, including adjacent parks, recreation facilities, etc.

8. Iron County ATV Trails

Iron County is a true ATV playground thanks to the 250-mile network created by the local government with the help of ATV clubs in the area. The Northwoods natural wonders are there to explore, as well as lakes and waterfalls.

What’s more, all major towns in Iron County are connected by ATV trails, so you never need to worry about finding food or accommodation. The trail network is well stocked with food, gas, and lodging so that you can have a multi-day ATV riding adventure here.

9. Cheese Country Trail System

Have you heard of Wisconsin being called Dairyland? Well, the trail system passing through the Driftless Area of Wisconsin takes full advantage of this reputation, calling itself the Cheese Country Trail System. This area escaped being flattened by glaciers during the Ice Age, so you’ll get lots of valleys and ridges.

The ATV trail was built on an abandoned railway line, covering 47 miles and passing over a 440-foot trestle over the Pecatonica River. The views are likely to take your breath away, and the well-stocked trail dining and lodging options are a bonus, too.

10. Barron County Trails

Barron County has about 60 miles of Wisconsin ATV trails in the northwest side of the state, with a bonus 30-acre intensive use area outside Almena, too. You can practice jumps, twists, and turns, whereas, for longer rides, you can go on the Cattail Trail and its extension and the Wild Rivers Trail.

11. Oconto County ATV Trail System

Now, this is one long ATV trail system! In Oconto County, you’ll have access to over 450 miles of interconnected trails, exceptionally well-marked and maintained all year. It’s easy to reach them, from the junction of highways 32 and 64.

So, within a quick drive from Milwaukee or Green Bay, you can join one of the strategically placed trailheads and enjoy miles of forests and fantastic scenery. Check out more information, rules, and maps here.

12. Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest

Hopping back into a national forest to explore some rugged wildland, you can find some exceptional Wisconsin ATV trails in Price County. You can encounter deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats here, and you’ll also climb to the highest point in Wisconsin – Timms Hill.

The whole county is renowned for water sports and fishing, so that these activities can be a great complement to your riding in Price County.

13. Neillsville Trails

Another great ATV trail system awaits in Neillsville, where you’ll be riding in the five Clark County Parks located directly along the trails. This area is also home to a very moving monument at Highground Veterans Memorial Park.

There are lots of campgrounds to extend your stay, and in terms of trails – there are over 82 miles of riding available, which you can also connect to other routes.

14. Pine Line Trail

Last but not least, the Pine Line Recreational Trail is an easy/medium ATV route that follows a former railroad bed for 26.2 miles from Medford to Prentice. It’s great for riding in the winter, as ATVs are allowed on this trail only when the temperature is below 28 degrees.

Make this late fall/winter stop and switch from ATV to snowmobile when the snow comes in.

Conclusion: Enjoy ATV Riding All Year Round in Lovely Wisconsin!

So, what are the 14 best ATV trails in Wisconsin? To review, here they are once again:

1. Washburn County Scenic ATV Tour
2. Black River State Forest
3. Tri-County Corridor Trail
4. Burnett County ATV Trail System
5. Embarrass River ATV Park
6. Chippewa County ATV Trail
7. Kewaunee County Riverview ATV Park
8. Iron County ATV Trails
9. Cheese Country Trail System
10. Barron County Trails
11. Oconto County ATV Trail System
12. Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest 
13. Neillsville Trails
14. Pine Line Trail

Wisconsin is an excellent destination for ATV riding all year, from the forest parks to the trails cut out into former railroad beds to its amazing ATV parks. Moreover, it’s such a welcoming destination for ATV riders that you’ll always be able to find lots of information, ATV trail maps like this one, and ATV friendly accommodation and places to eat.

Make sure you’re following the ATV rules, especially winter riding rules, and enjoy one of the many trail systems or parks, along with all the related activities to help you genuinely get to know Wisconsin outdoors!