Feb 2025 update: I’ve decided to devote a static webpage about winter ATV/UTV riding- click here to read about riding your ATV, UTV, or side-by-side in Hayward or Sawyer County over the winter. There is also an updated, printable winter ATV/UTV use flyer on that page too.
UPDATE: January 21, 2025– MOST UTV Trails in Sawyer County ARE Closed.
Most clubs had recently panned the snowmobile trails in Sawyer County. Forestry/Alliance consider ‘panning’ the trails as ‘grooming’ so the county forest trails are closed to UTV use right now- I just wanted to clarify that for everyone.
Basically, the off-road trails in the county forest land and Flambeau River State Forest are closed to UTV use.
So where can you ride your UTV in Sawyer County as of Jan 21, 2025?
- The Tuscobia Trail and 9-mile loop (Trails 10 & 11),
- Forest roads that are marked on the map for ATV/UTV use
- LCO trails see winter UTV use, but LCO doesn’t have a clear winter use policy- so use can change without notice.
- Chequamegon Forest trails.
- All approved ATV road routes- which can get you to almost all destinations, and to most lakes if you choose to ride frozen water.
Our Alliance and Forestry Dept will continue to assess trail and snow conditions- and may decide to reopen to UTV use if snow conditions don’t improve.
Read More BElow
So far, this winter stinks. The forecast, closely scrutinized by everyone, offers nothing but a rancid taste of last year’s non-winter. At least it’s bitter cold this winter. Frigid nights and icy, clear days have worked wonders to freeze our lakes and trail beds this January. Now if the snow would come…
Will the ATVers help pick up the slack this winter? Our Alliance, clubs, and businesses hope so and are ready to welcome them- come and ride your ATV or UTV in Sawyer County this winter!
A few important notes if you plan to ride your atv/utv in sawyer county this winter:
- Only ride on trails marked on the map for ATV use- you cannot ride on ‘snowmobile-only’ trails.
- Pay attention to the weather forecast and reach out to the Alliance, or me, before you drive here to ride- most of our trails do not allow UTVs on them once snowmobile grooming begins. CHECK OUR ALLIANCE FB PAGE FOR UPDATES
- ATVs, 900 lbs and under, can ride our trails all winter
- Riding on the frozen lakes is a lot of fun and gets you around to the different lake establishments easily- but please use caution- do some research to check on the ice depth and conditions before you ride and watch for the numerous ice heaves we have this year. Good places to check for info are bait shops and lake establishments where you plan to ride.
- Remember, that even though our roads are open to ride- watch for ice. I don’t care what kind of tires you have; these machines are relatively lightweight-slick and icy surfaces will affect how your machine handles.
SEasonal Trail Closures over winter
These trails close to ATV/UTV use every winter:
- Flambeau River State Forest Trails (in SE section of Sawyer County)- these trails are closed to ATV use until May
- Forest Road 203/Trail 21 – This trail/route leading north from Moose Lake to Namekagon is closed to ATV use over winter
- Trail 31 north of the Tuscobia Trail near Birchwood – this trail is closed until Memorial Day weekend
ATV and UTV Road Routes in Sawyer County
Our county roads (named with letters) are open for ATV/UTV use year-round- this does NOT include county roads within the LCO Reservation though.
Only select road routes are approved and signed for use within the LCO reservation– read more on my page about ATVing in the LCO Reservation.
State highways (named with numbers) are never open, even in towns with all their roads open – UNLESS an approved segment of a state highway is specifically signed as an ATV route.
Don’t ride on Hwy 63 anywhere folks- you can cross it, but you can’t ride on it!
Most of our municipalities have opened their roads to ATV/UTV use – How do you know which town you are in? Town and municipal boundaries are now shown on our paper map and Trail Treker app, or if riding, you can read the town name on the red fire (address) number signs in front of properties along roads. Town roads have names such as Chippewa Trail, McClaine Rd, etc,
Here is a list of the municipalities in Sawyer County and their ATV status:
Open-even if a town is considered all open, there may be specific roads signed as off limits- pay attention to signs.
Closed/not open- most closed towns still have some roads open and signed for use. Check out our 2025 Alliance map or the Trail Treker app for accuracy.
- City of Hayward- open
- Town of Bass Lake- open
- Town of Couderay- not open
- Town of Draper- open
- Town of Edgewater – open
- Town of Hayward- open
- Town of Hunter- not open
- Town of Lenroot – open
- Town of Meadowbrook- not open
- Town of Meteor- not open
- Town of Ojibwa – open
- Town of Radisson – open
- Town of Round Lake – open
- Town of Sand Lake – open
- Town of Spider Lake – not open
- Town of Weirgor – open
- Town of Winter – open (most)
- Village of Couderay- I think open, but not confirmed
- Village of Exeland – open
- Village of Radisson – open
- Village of Winter – open
Mapping and ATV Trail Passes
Pick up our new 2025 Alliance map at most locations in Sawyer County or visit the Alliance website. We advise you to use the Trail Treker app for your best mapping solutions while riding in Sawyer County.
Wisconsin-registered ATVs/UTVs do not need a trail pass. Non-residents NEED a trail pass – read more on my page here and learn where to pay for your trail pass in Sawyer County.
Lastly folks, stay warm and have some fun! I hope to see you all out there myself soon!