Ride safely - Wisconsin Department of Tourism

9JUST THE FACTS
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Chippewa County
ATV Trails
Chippewa County
DISTANCE: 15 miles.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): The eastern
trailhead is located about 4.5 miles
west of Holcombe on Cty M. The western
trailhead is located about 8 miles
northeast of Bloomer on 153rd St.
SEASON: May 1 to November 15.
OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:
Eau Claire County ATV Trails, Clark
County ATV Trails
NOTE: Stay on the trail; ATV routes are
well marked. There are no services on
the trail, but some businesses can be
accessed along roads marked as ATV
routes.
CAUTION: The trail crosses the Ice Age
Trail, which is off limits to ATVs. Watch
for large rocks in the middle of the trail
and standing water after it rains.
FEES: None.
AREA ATTRACTIONS: Brunet Island
State Park, Ice Age National Trail,
Chippewa Moraine Interpretive Center.
LEGEND: For a complete listing of all
icons, see page 4.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chippewa County Tourism
866/723-0331 or 715/726-7880
www.chippewacounty.com
Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of
Commerce
866/723-0331 or 715/723-0331
www.chippewachamber.org
ERIC SKOGMAN
The hills, valleys and challenging terrain
of northern Chippewa County
were created by the action of glaciers
many thousands of years ago.
This glacial topography is what makes this
area ideal for ATV riding.
The Chippewa County
ATV Trail rambles
through a scattered
string of the county’s
33,000 acres of county
forestland. Even though the
trail here is short – 15 miles -
you’ll be challenged with steep
hills and valleys. Winding past small lakes
and beaver ponds, the trail is an open door
to spectacular vistas and abundant wild
life.
Beginning at the western trailhead,
you’ll ride down a gravel road for about
five miles on a swing north of Burnt
Wagon Lake. The road winds east, then
north toward Bass Lakes where you can
stop and stretch your legs. A picnic table
and newly built restrooms, funded by ATV
registration money, are available. After a
brief respite, hop back on your quad and
continue north. The road turns into an
ATV-only trail. The compacted surface provides
ample traction in all kinds of conditions.
A mile north of Bass Lakes, the trail
crosses the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
(800/227-0046 or 608/663-8278,
www.iceagetrail.org). The Ice Age Trail is
unique to Wisconsin, tracing the southernmost
advance of the last Wisconsin glacier
some 12,000 years ago. The 1,000-mile Ice
Age Trail starts at Potawatomi State Park in
Sturgeon Bay, runs south through the
Northern and Southern Units of the Kettle
Moraine State Forests, swings west
through Madison, then northwest through
Wisconsin Dells and Eau Claire to it terminus
at Interstate Park near St. Croix Falls. It
is a backpacker’s dream; but ATVs are not
allowed.
After crossing the Ice Age Trail, you’ll
swing northeast around Dorothy Lake. The
trail winds up and down hills and passes
several wetlands. Heading north toward
Cty M, it gets a little rockier with loose