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Ride In Ride Out Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds

Shell Lake ATV Campground – Shell Lake WI

(Northwest Wisconsin ATV Trail System)

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Shell Lake ATV Campground location map

About The Trails

  • ATV Trails:
    • Northwest Wisconsin ATV Trail System (Washburn/Douglas/Barron Counties)
    • Washburn County ATV Scenic Tour (100+ miles)
    • Wild Rivers State Trail (104 miles)
    • ATV Trail Miles: 200+ miles
  • Notes:
    • 2 wheel vehicles prohibited on all areas of the County Forest
    • Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from April 1 to May 31
    • ATV trails open Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and stay open through the winter

Shell Lake ATV Campground Info

  • Sites Available:
    • 28 sites with full hookups (electric/sewer/water hook-up)
  • Pull through sites: 1, 6, 17, 25
  • Camping Fee:
    • Daily: $45
    • Weekly: $255
  • Open: Mid-May thru October
  • Maximum Stay: 2 weeks
  • Reservations Accepted: Yes

Campground Amenities

  • Over-flow parking lot
  • ATV wash station
  • Full shower/bathroom facilities
  • Dump station
  • Handicap accessible
  • CC accepted

Shell Lake ATV Campground

Sometimes campgrounds run by the government (state & federal) fall a little short in the amenities department, but this one is a shiny gem.

Although this campground was built specifically with ATVers in mind, everyone is welcome to camp here.

Northern Wisconsin has embraced off roading in a big way and this campground is right in the heart of things. ATVers have ride in ride out access to the vast network of Northern Wisconsin ATV trails that includes Washburn, Douglas and Barron County.

Since this is such a popular off roading area, you can also find plenty of other Wisconsin ATV campgrounds throughout the region.

The Trails

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds on the Wild Rivers State Trail

A portion of the Wild Rivers State Trail runs through Washburn County. This 104 mile trail is open year round to ATV traffic and is a major jumping off point to a lot of additional riding trails.

Another great off roading trail in Washburn County is the Washburn County ATV Scenic Tour. Shell Lake ATV Campground is right on this trail.

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds on the Washburn County ATV Scenic Tour

This 100+ mile meandering ATV trail showcases the best of Washburn County. The route is easy to follow with points of interests marked, plus it takes you through towns so you have easy access to amenities.

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In addition, this campground has an ideal location only 1/2 from downtown Shell Lake where you can visit the swimming beach, grab a bite to eat or stock up on groceries.

Shell Lake ATV Campground

Washburn County ATV Trail Map


Smith Lake County Park & Campground – Park Falls WI

(Tuscobia State Trail/Wild Rivers State Trail)

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Smith Lake County Park & Campground - Park Falls WI

About The Trails

  • ATV Trails:
    • Tuscobia State Trail (64.5 miles open to ATVs)
    • Wild Rivers State Trail (104 miles)
  • ATV Trail Miles: 200+ miles
  • Notes:
    • The Tuscobia Trail is 74 miles, but 9.5 miles (Ice Age Trail) on the western edge is closed to motorized traffic
    • Multiuse Tuscobia Trail is open to ATVs, snowmobiles, horse riders, bicycles and walkers
    • Tuscobia Trail is closed during hunting season Nov 15 – Dec 15
    • Eastern section of Tuscobia Trail doesn’t open until April 15 (see map)

Smith Lake County Park & Campground Info

  • Sites Available:
    • 30 sites with full hookups (electric/sewer/water hook-up)
  • Pull through sites: NA
  • Camping Fee:
    • Daily: $30
    • Weekly: NA
  • Open: Year round, but not plowed in winter
  • Maximum Stay: 30 day limit at one site
  • Reservations Accepted: No
  • Notes: Open to tents, trailers, and RVs up to 45+ feet

Campground Amenities

  • ATV/UTV trail access to the Tuscobia State Trail
  • ATV unloading/loading ramp
  • Boat landing and boat dock
  • Fishing pier
  • Hiking trail
  • Paved roads and parking area
  • Picnic area, tables and grills
  • Playground equipment
  • Pressure water (faucet and drinking fountain), mid-April to late-October, weather permitting
  • Sand beach
  • Shower/flush toilet buildings (open Memorial Day weekend thru the last weekend in September), $.25 for 2 minute shower
  • Sites have picnic tables and fire rings
  • Vaulted toilets
  • Sanitary dump station, open when the water is turned on (mid-April/May through September/late-October) – use fee (quarters are required)
  • 1 Handicap accessible site

Smith Lake County Park & Campground

It’s a 1 mile ride from the campground to Tuscobia Trail via Omaha Road which is open to ATVs.

Smith Lake is part of the Flambeau River, a popular canoeing/kayaking river. In fact, this campground also has two free canoe campsites available for water adventurers.

This campground is open in the winter, but they don’t plow the roads. There are also no services available and the main bathrooms are closed. But, there are vault toilets for the off season.

In the winter, this trail is popular with snowmobilers. But, be aware that from the campground to the Price/Sawyer county line isn’t open year round like the main part of the trail. This section is only open from April 15 – Nov 15.

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds on Tuscobia State Trail
Tuscobia State Trail by WI Department of Tourism

The Trails

The Tuscobia State Trail is a multiuse rail to trail with a crushed stone surface. It’s the longest rail trail in Wisconsin.

Not only is it a lovely scenic route, but it also takes you through several small communities on it’s journey, so amenities are readily available.

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Tuscobia State Trail map

Plus, the Tuscobia Trail is a great jumping off point for a lot of other ATV trails in the region. It connects with the Wild Rivers Trail via Harmon Lake ATV Trail and Spider Lake ATV Trail.

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: ATV routes that intersect with Tuscobia State Trail map
Route from Tuscobia State Trail To Wild Rivers Trail

But that’s not all! There are several other ATV routes that intersect with the Tuscobia Trail such as: Dead Horse Run Trail, Flambeau River State Forest Trail, Flambeau Trail System and Rusk County ATV Trail.

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Sawyer County ATV routes map
Trail network surrounding the Tuscobia Trail

Smith Lake County Park & Campground

Tuscobia State Trail

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: ATVers on the Wild Rivers State Trail
Wild Rivers State Trail by WI Department of Tourism

Related Post: Wisconsin ATV Trails

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East Arbutus County Park – Merrillan WI 

(Clark & Jackson Counties)

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: East Arbutus County Park - Merrillan WI location map

About The Trails

  • ATV Trails:
  • ATV Trail Miles: 235 miles
  • Trail Pass:
    • 5 Day: $20
    • Yearly: $35
  • Notes:
    • Motorcycles must be street legal to ride on the Black River Falls ATV trail system
    • Only Crawford Hills in Jackson County & Knobby Ridge Motorcycle Trails in Clark County are open to non-street legal motorcycles
    • UTVs are not allowed on the trails in winter

East Arbutus ATV Campground Info

  • 187 Sites Available:
    • 136 total sites with electric hookups
      • 26 ATV sites with electric
    • 50 total sites without hookups
      • 12 ATV sites without electric
  • Pull through sites: NA
  • Camping Fee:
    • Lakeside Electric Sites Daily: $28.00
    • Electric Sites Daily: $25.00/night
    • Basic Site (no electric) Daily: $20.00
    • Annual Pass: $30.00
    • 2nd Annual (same household): $15.00
  • Open: Year round (limited services in the winter)
  • Maximum Stay: 21 days
  • Reservations Accepted: Yes
  • Notes:
    • Campsites come with one free vehicle pass, additional vehicles require an additional fee
    • Pets are allowed, but they must be on a leash no longer than 8′ and supervised at all times. They’re prohibited on the beach

Campground Amenities

  • Boat Ramp
  • Swim beach
  • Dump Station
  • Firewood
  • 2 Handicap accessible sites
  • Playground
  • 4 shower houses (25¢ = 3 minutes)
  • Water
  • Hiking Trails
  • Park office
  • Law enforcement patrols the park
  • Picnic table & fire rings at sites
  • Ice, cold drinks and snacks available

East Arbutus ATV Campground

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: East Arbutus ATV Campground map
ATV campsites

As much as we love a sweet rustic campsite tucked into a forest, we also love showers. Plus, we’re also partial to Wisconsin ATV campgrounds with lakes. Especially when camping with kids – slap on sunblock and they’re happy for hours.

Lake Arbutus is open to all types of water activities: kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, boating, water-skiing, fishing and swimming.

An extra $3 gets you a lake front campsite with electric hookups. This is $3 well spent, but unfortunately, the lake front sites are not ATV campsites.

No water or sewer hookup are available, but there is drinkable water available as well as a dump station.

For ride in ride out ATV trail access you need to book one of the 38 designated ATV campsites. This limited area of the campground is the only place you can ride an ATV in the campground.

But, if you’re in an ATV campsite, you have easy ride in ride out access to 100s of miles of ATV trails.

Please be aware that if you’re riding a motorcycle, it will need to be street legal to access the trails from Arbutus Campground.

Besides the fantastic lake location, another virtue of East Arbutus Campground is that it’s centrally located right at the Clark/Jackson Countyline. It’s smack dab in the middle of the whole trail network.

The Trails

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds in Jackson and Clark counties
Red lines are the ATV trail system

Jackson and Clark counties have a combined 235 miles of trails open to off roading. In the winter an additional 100 miles of trails open to ATVs.

All the trails connect, so no need to trailer. Plus, you can ride directly into Black River Falls. The town has an ATV route that goes through town, so you can access hotels, gas and restaurants. Additional services are readily available throughout the trail system.

This area is one the best places to ride in the Midwest. Plus, it’s convenient to several major city centers, only 2 hours from the Twin Cities and Madison and 3 hours from Milwaukee. This makes it a very popular riding destination and ideal for a weekend getaway.

With 235 miles of trails available, you’ll find plenty of terrain to keep you busy. Most of the trails are easy, but there are a few moderate sections available.

Registered motorcycles can ride on the ATV trails, but unregistered motorcycles can only ride in two designated areas: Crawford Hills & Knobby Ridge Motorcycle Trails.

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: ATVer riding through mud
Black River Falls mud riding Treasured Distractions | Flickr

Trail Riding Season

ATVs and street legal bikes are allowed on the trails in winter. But, UTVs can only use the trails during the early riding season.

  • Clark County – Riding Season
    • May 15 – October 31
    • December 15 – March 15
  • Jackson County – Riding Season (temperature must be above 28°)
    • May 15 – October 15
    • December 15 – March 15

East Arbutus County Park

Clark & Jackson Counties ATV Trail Brochure (with map)


ATV The Wisconsin Cheese Trail
Wisconsin Cheese Trail by Lafayette County

Wolf Creek Campground Gratiot WI

Cheese Trail / Pecatonica State Trail

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Wolf Creek Campground - Gratiot WI location map

About The Trails

  • ATV Trails:
    • Wisconsin Cheese Trail (47 miles)
    • Pecatonica State Trail (10 miles)
    • Tri-County ATV Trails
  • ATV Trail Miles: 60+ miles
  • Notes:
    • A Cheese Country Recreation Trail sticker is required for all licensed and unlicensed motorcycles, mopeds, golf carts, go carts and dirt bikes. Bicyclists and horseback riders 18 and older also require a Cheese Trail sticker
    • ATVs and UTVs do not require a Cheese Country sticker, but they do need to be registered in Wisconsin

Wolf Creek Campground Info

  • Sites Available:
    • 34 total sites
      • 24 with water & electricity
      • 10 without electricity
  • Pull through sites: NA
  • Camping Fee:
    • Daily with water & electricity: $20
    • Daily no electricity: $10
  • Open: Summer
  • Maximum Stay: NA
  • Reservations Accepted: No
  • Notes: Self pay kiosk, bring cash

Campground Amenities

  • Bathroom/shower facility
  • Free showers!
  • 3 standard showers/1 handicap accessible shower
  • Fire pits with grill
  • Easy walk to restaurants
  • Water fill station
  • Gas 1 block away
  • 2 playgrounds
  • Picnic tables
  • Pets allowed
Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Cheese Trail & Pecatonica Trail map

Wolf Creek Campground

This small county run campground is conveniently located right off the Cheese Trail. It’s not a fancy campground, but what it lacks it charm, it more than makes up for in convenience.

Plus, you really can’t beat free showers. I’m a big fan!

It’s located right in the village of Gratiot WI, an easy walk to a couple casual bar/restaurants where you can grab a cold beer and some good food.

10.2 miles north of Gratiot on the Cheese Trail is the town of Darlington. They also have a a campground, Pecatonica River Trails Park, right on the trail. This one is on the river, but both campgrounds are very similar with the same amenities.

The Trails

The Cheese Trail is a Midwest gem! It’s a multi-use trail open to ATVs, mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders and cross country skiers and snowmobilers in the winter.

Built on a former railroad bed that became defunct in 1980, it runs 47 miles from Monroe WI to Mineral Point WI. Enjoy a leisurely ride through the rolling hills of Wisconsin’s farm and dairy lands.

One lovely features of the Wisconsin Cheese Trail is that it crosses several old railroad bridges, including the impressive 440′ Browntown trestle bridge.

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Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: ATV trail outside Darlington
ATV bridge outside of Darlington Sean Lamb | Flickr

The trail passes through several small towns on it’s journey, so amenities and gas are easy to find. Plus, there are several campgrounds right on the trail (with showers!), so it’s a fun easy trip that you can do without a lot of planning.

For additional riding, the Pecatonica State Trail intersects with the Cheese Trail for an additional 10 miles of ATV/multi-use trails. In addition, Lafayette County has many road/trails open to ATVing. (these are indicated in green in the map above)

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds on the Pecatonia State Trail
Pecatonica State Trail Amy Bayer | Flickr

While you’re in Monroe, be sure check out the National Historic Cheesemaking Center and indulge in some Swiss Cheese. This is the Cheese Trail after all and Monroe bills itself as the “Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA”.

Wolf Creek Campground

Tri-County ATV Trail Map


Lake of the Falls – Mercer WI

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Lake of the Falls  - Mercer WI location map

About The Trails

  • ATV Trails:
    • Iron County
    • Hurley WI
    • Mercer WI
  • ATV Trail Miles: 200+ miles
  • Notes: All Iron County roads are open to OHV traffic including town roads
Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Lake of the Falls Park campground map

Lake of the Falls Campground Info

  • 32 Sites Available:
    • 24 sites with electric hookups
    • 8 sites without electric hookups
  • Pull through sites: NA
  • Camping Fee:
    • Daily: $28 with electric (must pay this rate even if not using electric)
    • Weekly: $168 electric weekly (must pay this rate even if not using electric)
    • Daily: $23 no electric
    • Weekly: $138 no electric
  • Park Use: $5 daily, $20 annual
  • Boat Launch: $5 daily, $40 annual (valid at all Iron Co Parks & Saxon Harbor)
  • Open: May 1 – October 15 (weather dependent)
  • Maximum Stay: 14 days
  • Reservations Accepted: Yes
  • Notes:
    • There are 3 separate Wisconsin ATV campgrounds here with different amenities – verify before you book
    • Firewood brought into any Iron County campground must be from within 25 miles of the campground or from a WI certified firewood dealer
    • Pets must be leashed at all times

Wisconsin Lake Of The Falls ATV Campgrounds Amenities

(3 Separate Camping Areas)

Side 1

  • 11 Electric sites
  • 1 Non electric site
  • Electric hookups
  • Pit toilets
  • Water
  • Boat Ran

Side 2

This campground has no hookups and is a bit more quiet

  • 7 Non electric sites
  • No electric hookups
  • Pit toilet
  • Water

Side 3

  • 13 Electric sites
  • Electric hookups
  • Flush Toilets
  • Showers
  • Pit toilets
  • Dump station
  • Potable water fill
  • Canoe/kayak launch

Lake of the Falls Campground

A beautiful camping area surrounded by 314 lakes including the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, the 7th largest lake in Wisconsin. With all this water, visitors can also enjoy endless boating and fishing opportunities.

This campground is open approximately May 1 – Oct 14, but the boat ramp is open year round.

There are 32 total camping sites available in three separate camping areas. Side 2 has only non electric sites and pit toilets, but it’s also the quietest of all 3 campgrounds.

If you’re looking for flush toilets and showers, then side 3 is your only option.

But, no matter which site you select, all these Lake of the Falls Wisconsin ATV campgrounds have maintained roads as well as direct ATV trail access. Take Trail 17 to Rice Lake Rd. to Popko Circle East & West.

Lake of the Falls Campground Info

The Trails

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds: Iron County WI ATV Trails map

You can ride almost year round in Iron County. The ATV/UTV Trails are open from mid-May through March 31 or when the trails close for the winter season. In the winter, ATVs and UTVs can ride on the snowmobile trails when the temperature is 33° or less.

Nestled up near Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, state and county forests pepper the region and ATV trails extend in all directions.

200+ miles of trails, funky backcountry fishing resorts, endless forests and 314 lakes make for ideal Midwest riding.

Local riding club, The Dusty Loons ATV Club, worked hard for ATVers to gain the right to ride on county roads. In 2019, this dream became a reality when Iron County made it legal for ATVs to ride on all county roads, including in towns.

New road signs were then put up to show the change. Riders must abide by all traffic laws and ride responsibly.

Iron County ATV Trail Map

Iron County ATV camping
Iron County ATV Trails Iron County Forestry & Parks

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds

  • Wisconsin requires all ATVs to either be registered or purchase a trail pass
  • All ATVs in WI more than 15 days must be registered in Wisconsin
  • Non-resident owned ATVs in Wisconsin less than 15 days must buy a trail pass
  • Noise ordinances are strictly enforced (must be less than 96dB)
  • EVERYONE born after 1-1-1988 must take and pass a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ATV safety course to legally operate on public trails and routes
  • Operators must be at least 16 years old and have an ATV safety certificate to operate alone
  • Operators 12-15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or parent approved adult
  • Some municipals may have laws that differ from state laws
  • Operators and passengers < 18 years old must wear a helmet

Wisconsin ATV Campgrounds

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Featured image for Wisconsin ATV campgrounds by WI Department of Tourism

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