Alerts
News Services
- Air Quality Watches & Advisories
- Ballast Water Discharge
- Asian Carp Control Efforts
- Deer
- Electronics Recycling
- Fishing
- Invasive Species
- Manure Runoff
- Mercury Rule
- TV Recycling
- Wetlands
- Gift Ideas
Calendars
- Public Hearings & Meetings
- Outdoor Seasons & Permit Deadlines
- Workshops, Clinics, Seminars & Training
Black River State Forest ATV trail segment closed temporarily
News Release Published: May 28, 2008 by the West Central Region
Contact(s): Peter Bakken, superintendent Black River Falls State Forest (715) 284-1406
Wet conditions and trail damage led to closure, said DNR officials
BLACK RIVER FALLS – A 10.9-mile section of the Black River State Forest ATV trail system has been temporarily closed due to excessive standing water, heavy rutting and off-trail damage to wetlands, the state Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday.
ATV damage at Black River State Forest
WDNR Photo
The closed section lies north of the Hwy. 54 parking lot and continues north to the Clay School Road parking lot. Also closed is the three-mile spur heading east toward Crawford Hills.
A wet spring and heavy use by all terrain vehicles have produced deeply rutted areas filled with water. A significant number of ATV operators drove off trail to avoid these areas, damaging adjacent wetlands. Wetland vegetation was quickly lost, and the new tracks encouraged other riders to leave the trail, forest officials said.
State law does not permit the operation of ATVs off designated trails in a state forest.
“Riders need to stay on the trails,” said Peter Bakken, superintendent of the Black River State Forest. “Off-trail riding is part of the reason we were forced to close this trail temporarily.”
Trails to reopen when dry and damage is repaired
When the ground dries forest staff will repair the closed trail section, close off access to the damaged wetland areas and reopen the trail. Trail reports, updates and a map of the closed section are available on the Black River State Forest page of the DNR Web site.
ATV riders still have access to more than 200 miles of trail in Jackson and Clark counties and in the Black River State Forest. The Hwy. 54 parking lot will remain open so ATV operators can ride south to the Castle Mound area and Millston. The Clay School Road parking lot will remain open for riders heading toward Hatfield and Clark County. The Crawford Hills parking lot can be used by riders whose destination is City Point.
Interested individuals can contact forestry staff at (715) 284-4103 for more information.
