When Am I Allowed To Ride?

When am I allowed to operate my all terrain vehicle (ATV)/utility vehicle (UTV)?

• From the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through September 15, when trails are officially opened, you may operate your ATV/UTV on State-funded Summer Use Trails only. These trails are marked with white blazers. Only machines meeting the State definition of an ATV/UTV are allowed on these trails. (See Summer Use ATV Trail Map for trail locations.) All other trails are closed to ATV/UTV use. Please contact individual townships for their rules and regulations for ATV/UTV use on their town roads this time of year.
• From September 16 through November 30, you may operate your registered ATV/UTV on existing snowmobile trails, fire lanes, and logging roads on Burnett County Forest Lands. Logging roads must be at least eight-feet wide in order to ride on them. No off-trail use is allowed and operation on private lands is illegal unless you have permission from the private landowner. Please contact individual townships for their rules and regulations for ATV/UTV use on their town roads this time of year. These trails are also currently multi-use trails, which means that any street legal, licensed vehicle can be on these trails. No off-road motorcycles are allowed on our trails or on Burnett County Forest Lands at any time. Trails are not being maintained during this time of year. It is your responsibility to know whose property you are on. Additional information (PDF)...
• From December 1 through March 31, once trails have been officially opened, you may ride your ATV/UTV on State-funded, winter-use trails when a four-inch groomed snow base is present. These trails are shown on the Winter Use Trail Map and are marked with blue blazers. If there is no snow, the Frozen Ground ATV Winter Trail will be open for use once conditions are favorable. These trails are marked with green blazers. All other trails are closed to ATV/UTV use. Please contact individual townships for their rules and regulations for ATV/UTV use on their town roads this time of year. Go to Trail Updates for current conditions.

When You May Not Operate Your ATV/UTV

• From April 1 to the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, all Burnett County Forest Lands are closed. 
• When County or State Emergency Fire Regulations are in effect, or when Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) wildfire danger is posted at a Red Flag Alert.
• When trails or roads have been gated, signed, or bermed as closed to motorized vehicles.

Other Rules & Regulations

• Any reckless behavior without regards to other persons or their property, and that such injury and property damage is likely to occur, or pursue any wild animal with the intent of harassing them is prohibited.
• Riding your ATV/UTV in any wetlands or within 50 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of any surface water is prohibited, unless on a designated trail.
• Your ATV/UTV must registered or licensed and must be equipped with a U.S. Forest Service tested and approved spark arrestor. This arrestor shall be properly maintained and in effective working order.
• It is illegal to operate your ATV/UTV at speeds greater than posted speeds on any route; or exceed speeds designated in State Statutes 23.33(3) and 350.10(1) when near dwellings or pedestrians.
• It is illegal to operate your ATV/UTV at speeds greater than 30 miles per hour (MPH) on any ATV trail.
• Off-road motorcycles, and/or any unlicensed or unregistered vehicles are not allowed on Burnett County Forest Land at any time.
• Once there is a 4-inch groomed snow base; or if there is no snow, once the ground is frozen; and trails have officially been opened, you may ride your ATV/UTV on the Gandy Dancer Trail.
• Please be careful, be respectful to other trail users, ride safely, and enjoy your time in Burnett County!