Ride safely - Wisconsin Department of Tourism

5JUST THE FACTS
Dead Horse Run
ATV Trail
Sawyer & Ashland Counties
DISTANCE: 56 miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult
TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): A small
trailhead is located on the east shore of
Dead Horse Slough about two miles
east of Clam Lake on Highway 77.
Another trailhead is just north of
Loretta. From the intersection of Hwy.
70 and County Hwy. GG, drive north
2.6 miles on GG. Turn left on Fire Road
621 to the entrance to an old CCC
camp, which is the trailhead.
SEASON: May 1 to March 14
OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Tri-
County Corridor, Tuscobia State Trail,
Flambeau River State Forest Trail,
Flambeau ATV Trail System
NOTE: Be on the lookout for fallen
trees and branches and large rocks on
the trail.
CAUTION: Because of the remoteness
of the trail and its length, be sure to
carry extra fuel, food and water.
FEES: None.
AREA ATTRACTIONS: An elk herd in
the Clam Lake area.
LEGEND: For a complete listing of all
icons, see page 4.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chequamegon-Nicolet National
Forest
715/762-2461
www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/
Great Divide Ranger District
715/264-2511
14 Visit travelwisconsin.com
CARMEN JOPP
One of the more challenging trail systems
in Wisconsin is the Dead Horse
Run Trail. Once lightly traveled by
ATV enthusiasts,
more and more are discovering
the system. It’s
no wonder; the trail’s
diverse terrain and
Northwood’s scenery
make it an experience you’ll
enjoy.
The peculiar name comes
from an incident that occurred in the early
1900s. A team of horses broke through
the ice on a slough just east of Clam Lake
and were never recovered. The slough
became known as Dead Horse Slough and
the name later transferred to the trail.
The Dead Horse intersects the
Tuscobia State Trail just west of Park Falls.
The trails of the Flambeau River State
Forest are just to the south, while the
Flambeau ATV Trail is just east of Park Falls.
This trio of trails centered on Park Falls can
make for great long-distance riding.
The trail traverses a remote area.
You’ll encounter lots of rocks, trees, wetlands,
creeks and rivers. Due to the heavy
forest canopy, the trail can be wet with
standing water. Fuel is available only in
Clam Lake at the northwestern edge of the
system or in Park Falls or Winter. Be prepared
for the unexpected; carry tools and
other necessities.
Speaking of the unexpected – on the
trail you might hear or see elk. In 1995,
Wisconsin re-introduced elk in this part of
the forest. Today, the Clam Lake herd is
estimated at 135 animals.
Entering from the Tuscobia State Trail,
the Dead Horse cuts north through the
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Eight miles in you’ll hit a spur that leads
southwest to the parking area at Camp
Loretta. Continuing north, you’ll cross the
Chippewa River and follow it to an intersection
with Grass Road, where you’re just
a mile south of the Stock Farm Bridge
Campground on the shore of the river.
As the trail winds farther north, it
becomes rockier, adding to the challenge.
Twelve miles north of Stock Farm Bridge