Forest County Public ATV Trail - Nicoet State Trail - Wolf River State Trail
ATV riding is a growing sport in Wisconsin and Forest County wants to be there to help it continue to grow. Currently Forest County maintains two(2) trails; The Nicolet State Trail and the Forest County Public ATV Trail. There are also many miles of ATV routes in Forest County. Routes are designated by the townships and not every township is open for ATV use. Check with town clerks for ATV use status and roads designated as routes.
Forest County Public ATV Trail: (top)
Welcome to the Forest County Public All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trail!! This trail system is entirely on land owned by Forest County and is open for year round use. The trails are maintained by the Forest County Forestry Department which can be reached at 715-478-3475.
The Trail
The Forest County Public ATV Trail is a two-way trail. It is located on old logging roads which are also open to motorcycles, snowmobiles, hikers, bikers, skiers, and many other recreationists. Please use caution and appropriate speed. Follow brown ATV trail marker signs. This trail is in an area containing many dead-end woods trails that are not on the map, so be alert. Please use discretion in wet weather to avoid erosion and tree damage.
Off Trail Regulations
The Forest County Forestry Department ordinance does not allow ATV use on any gated hunter walking trail except this designated area. State law prohibits use on any town or county road unless road has been signed and designated as an ATV route. The U.S. Forest Service and private land owners do not allow ATV use on their property. Driving beyond the borders of the ATV area onto private land is ILLEAGAL and may result in permanent trail closure and fines. Please respect the rights of the neighboring land owners.
ATV’s are not recognized as a licensed motor vehicle and as such shall not be operated on any town or county roads, or on road right-of-ways. Therefore ATV’s are not allowed to travel County Hwy W, Perry Rd., Quade Lane, or Duff Rd.
Services
A loading dock has been provided to assist with loading/unloading ATV’s. A parking area is also available. No other services are available on the trail.
Miscellaneous
Please respect the forest. Don’t litter, damage trees, or harass wildlife. Your ATV registration fees have enabled this trail to be developed and maintained. If you encounter a trail hazard report it immediately to the Forest County Forestry Department. A county-wide recreation map and various other maps are available from the Forestry Department. We hope you enjoy the trails.
Nicolet State Trail (top)
(North) (South)
Forest County has taken the opportunity and developed an abandoned railroad corridor named the Nicolet State Trail. This trail, located in eastern Forest County, links Oconto, Forest, and Florence Counties to Upper Michigan. Open for year round use the Nicolet State Trail appeals to many outdoor enthusiasts. The 25 miles of trail are open to hiking, biking, ATVs, and snowmobiles.
WHERE?
There are two different segments of the Nicolet State Trail as it passes through Forest County. In the southern part of the county the trail comes in from Oconto County, just south of the town of Carter. Enjoy 13 miles of scenic trail as you pass through the County’s forests and wetlands, ending in the town of Laona. The trail ends here for ATVs, but links from the Nicolet State Trail to 398 miles of state funded snowmobile trails in Forest County are available. As you make your way north from the Oconto County line, the trail passes by the Northern Lights Casino in Carter. Continue north and enjoy the “Northwoods” atmosphere in Wabeno and Laona. Here you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy your favorite beverage.
If you head north of Laona the trail starts at a parking area on County Hwy G. This 12 mile segment of trail takes you through Newald and Popple River and into Long Lake in Florence County. The north segment offers a little more seclusion but restaurants and gas are still available.
ATTENTION ATV Riders
The Nicolet State Trail welcomes ATV enthusiasts. Just remember to respect the bordering land owners and STAY ON THE TRAIL. There are trail heads for parking and loading/unloading in Wabeno and Laona for the south and on County Hwy G for the north segment. Access to the trail is also available at road crossings. When riding, if a side trail is not a marked ATV route, it is illegal to ride on. Currently there is no connecting trail for the north and the south segments so
please trailer your machines to the two segments if you wish to ride. Remember, cross country riding is prohibited.
For more information on the Nicolet State Trail or other trail systems in Forest County, please contact Forest County Advertising at (715) 478-2212 or Toll Free at 1-866-722-7292. Additional information on the complete Nicolet State Trail system is available from the Wisconin DNR.
Wolf River State Trail (top)
The abandoned rail corridor going south off Hwy 8 in Crandon will be the location of the future Wolf River State Trial. The corridor is currently owned by the Wisconsin DNR but remains closed until a trail is developed. Once developed the trail will go south out of Crandon and continue into Langlade County, ending near the town of White Lake, approximatley 28 miles. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Easment between the WDNR and Forest County has been approved and signed alonf with a Managent Plan. Progress is being made towards the completion of the Wolf River State Trail. Until a completed trail is on the ground, it is illegal to ride on the rail corridor. For updates on trail status check back to this site.
