ATVing in Price County & related events
April 28, 2007 - Fifield Dirt Devils ATV Club Start-Up Party, Park Falls
May 5, 2007 - ATV Club Big & Hearty Breakfast, Happy Daze, Kennan
June 9-10, 2007 - Lumberman's Day Mud Run, Catawba
June 29-July 1, 2007 - Shriners Poker & Mud Run, Park Falls
July 4-8, 2007 - 4th of July ATV Poker Run, Park Falls
Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2007 - Labor Day Weekend ATV Rally, Park Falls
Tentative - October 6, 2007 - Fifield Dirt Devils ATV Club Picnic, Park Falls
Price County offers the ATV enthusiast five recreation areas with additional connecting trails and town roads. Most of the trail systems have rustic rest sites available, while others allow direct access to food, lodging and services. The Flambeau Trail System, Tuscobia State Trail, and Flambeau River State Forest Trail all connect offering 160 miles of ATV trail riding. The Pine Line Rail Trail and the Flambeau Trail System are open for winter ATVing.
Georgetown Trail
- Open May 1 to March 14 (closed for spring breakup March 15 thru April 30)
The Georgetown ATV Trail is a newly constructed trail located on the Price County Forest west of Phillips. It will be open for ATV use starting on May 1, 2007. The trail is 13 miles long, with a gravel surface, and meanders through a variety of different forest types. It is an out and back trail with parking areas located at both the north and south ends of the trail. Both parking areas have unloading / loading ramps and ample room for parking. The north parking area is located west of Phillips on White Birch Lane. From Hwy. 13 in Phillips go west on County Hwy. W about 10 miles to Skinner Creek Road, go south a mile and a half to White Birch Lane which is to the left. The parking area is about 1-1/4 miles south on White Birch Road. The south parking area is located on Fairview Road north of Kennan. From the U.S. Hwy 8 and County Hwy J intersection, go west on U.S. Hwy 8 approximately 2 miles to Fairview Road. Go north 3 miles on Fairview Road to the parking area. There are ATV road routes going south from the Fairview Road parking area into the Village of Kennan where you will find services. Other uses permitted on the multi-use trail include hiking, biking, and hunting.
Flambeau Trail System
- Open May 1 to March 14 (closed for spring breakup March 15 thru April 30)
The Flambeau Trail System is a 60-mile trail that winds through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The trail is developed for riding ATV’s and motorcycles, as well as mountain bikes, horses and other non-motorized activities. The trail system is highlighted by rolling terrain, tree lined corridors, wooden bridges, and vistas overlooking bogs and lakes. Along the trail there are several points of interest including the Smith Rapids Covered Bridge, Round Lake Logging Dam, and Camp Nine Springs. The trail allows access to the cities of Park Falls and Fifield and also connects to the Tuscobia State Trail. The trail is open for ATV use May 1 thru March 14. It is closed March 15 thru April 30 for spring breakup.
Tuscobia State Trail
- Open April 15 to November 15
The Tuscobia State Trail is an abandoned railroad grade that runs from Park Falls to Rice Lake. ATV’s are allowed on this multi-use trail on a 62-mile stretch beginning at the Park Falls trailhead and traveling west to Birchwood. ATVs are not allowed on the trail from Birchwood west to Rice Lake. This section of trail is shared with the Ice Age Trail. Traveling along the trail you will encounter a variety of scenery from wooded sections to open farmland. The Park Falls – Tuscobia Trailhead Park is the perfect location to begin your journey with ample 24-hour parking, unloading/loading ramp, flush toilets and a picnic area. Along the trail you will find services including lodging, camping, gas and restaurants. This trail connects to the Flambeau River State Forest Trail, Flambeau Trail System, and allows access to the city of Park Falls.
Flambeau River State Forest Trail
- Open May 15 to November 15
The Flambeau River State Forest Trail is a 38-mile trail consisting of forest roads, town roads and snowmobile routes. The trail system connects directly to the Tuscobia State Trail. There are very few services along the trail. The trail is open for ATV use May 15 thru November 15.
Pine Line Rail Trail
- Open early December to March 31
The Pine Line Rail Trail is a 26-mile abandoned railroad grade open to ATVs in the winter only when trails are declared officially open to snowmobiles. Its northern most point is located near Prentice. There is a connecting trail to Timm’s Hill, Wisconsin’s highest geographical point. ATVs are also allowed on a few miles of town roads and county snowmobile trails in the Prentice area which allow access to lodging, gas and restaurants. The trail is open for ATV use during for the snowmobile season, early December thru March 31.
ATV Parking
There is parking with trail access in both downtown Park Falls and Fifield as well as several areas along the trails. There are five (5) parking locations on the Flambeau Trail System in the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest including the Wintergreen parking area, Sailor Lake Campground & Picnic Area, Blockhouse Lake, Round Lake, and the State Hwy. 182 parking area. There is trail access to the Tuscobia State Trail at two other locations other than downtown Park Falls: 1) The Park Falls Tuscobia Trailhead County Park offers facilities such as ample 24-hour parking, an ATV unloading/ loading ramp, and a picnic area. The park is located off Hwy. 13 west on County Road E about 1/4 mile to Park Road then north 1/4 mile to the park. Flush toilets are available from mid-spring to mid-fall. 2) ATVS are allowed at Smith Lake County Park & Campground west of Park Falls on County E. For those people not camping at the park, the hours for use are 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. There is a unloading/loading ramp located there. You can access the Tuscobia via Omaha Road; it is about one mile from the park to the trail. The Flambeau River State Forest ATV Trail has three (3) parking areas - the trailhead located on County Road W and two (2) parking areas located on County Road M: One is located about a 1/4 mile off County Road W and the other is at the southern end of the trail just past where County Road M crosses the South Fork of the Flambeau River.
ATV Operation in Wisconsin
When used 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. It is the responsibility of all ATV operators to make the sport a safe one. Take an ATV Safety Course!
Traveller Stewardship
Think of yourself as an ambassador for motorized trail riding. Your actions speak for all riders. Stay on the trail. Riding off the trail can destroy animal burrows and vegetation. Be a part of the solution. Offer to help protect and restore areas that have been damaged. Report resource damage or trail hazards to the Park Falls Ranger District. If you can't go around a wet area, go through it slowly and easily to decrease erosion. A quiet machine can seem noisy. It depends on how you ride it. Remember you share the trail with wildlife. Animals scare easily. A frightened animal could run into your path. Chasing an animal can cause it to use up valuable energy that it needs to survive!
Tread Lightly
With the number of all-terrain vehicle riders climbing past 16 million nationally, the sport of ATV riding is grabbing attention as land managers try to balance its popularity with the nation's natural resources.
ATV riding can be a blast and it can also be damaging to public lands if not done responsibly. Land managers encourage people to help protect the great outdoors by riding responsibly and practicing outdoor ethics, like those created by Tread Lightly!.
Tread Lightly!, a nonprofit organization that educates people to recreate responsibly, has issued some practical tips on minimizing environmental impact from ATVs.
-Stay only on roads, trails or other areas designated for ATV use.
-Try to stay in the middle of the trail to avoid widening it.
-Cross streams only at designated fording points, where the trail crosses the stream. Approach the stream slowly, crossing at a 90-degree angle.
-On switchbacks, avoid roosting around the apex of the turn when climbing or brake-sliding during descent, both of which gouge the trail.
-On slick trails, moderate the throttle and use the clutch to gain maximum traction with minimum wheel-spin.
-Try to avoid muddy trails, save them for future trips when they are dry.
-Pack out what you pack in. Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others.
-Following a ride, wash your ATV and support vehicle to avoid spreading noxious weeds the next time you ride.
-Observe proper human waste disposal. Bury your waste at least six inches deep and camouflage the hole or pack out your waste.
-Take an ATV training course to maximize safety. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and other safety gear.
Safety Tips
Most ATVs are designed for one operator only. Never carry a passenger.
Protective clothing is a necessity. Always wear an approved helmet, eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants and a long sleeved shirt or jacket.
Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during ATV operation.
Avoid excessive speeds. Travel at a speed appropriate for the terrain, visibility conditions, and your experience.
Do not attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts. These can have disastrous results.
Services for Campers
The following businesses offer amentiies for a nominal fee:
Moose Jaw Resort, 715-762-3028, Pike Lake Area, Park Falls - showers, laundry facilities & ATV wash station
Northway Motor Lodge, 715-762-2406, Hwy 13, Park Falls - showers & recreation center including swimming pool
Skyline Motel, 715-339-3086, Hwy 13, Phillips - showers
The Laundry Room, Walnut Street, Phillips - shower and laundry facilities
Phillips Community Pool (indoor), 990 Flambeau Avenue, Phillips, 715-339-2143 - showers and swimming pool
Park Falls Community Pool (outdoor), 5th Street, Park Falls, 715-762-2436 - showers and swimming pool
