Black River State Forest Conditions

Conditions as of Friday, July 3, 2009:

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• Camping
• Trails
• Day Use Areas

All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trails

All ATV trails were groomed within the past week. A section of trail from Campground Road to the Clay School Parking Lot remains closed due to several areas with excessive water covering the trail and damage due to heavy ridership on Memorial Day Weekend. We are waiting for this area to dry up before we re-open this section.

Map of closed ATV trail section [PDF 500KB]

Water covers part of the ATV trail.
DNR Photo

ATV riders illegally going off-trail caused these ruts in the forest.
DNR Photo

During this time of closure a temporary bypass route has been authorized with the Town of Komensky. Riders can travel north on Campground Road up to Clay School Road where they will turn west and meet up with the current ATV route. Please use the utmost respect while driving on this temporary route. Stay on the road at all times and be mindful of speed.

The 2.2-mile portion of the trail from Highway 54 to Bartos road undergoing rehabilitation this spring has been completed. We did not finish as much work as we had hoped and will likely repair two more wetland crossings just west of Wildcat road this summer. This project will protect the long term sustainability of the trail system and lessen the frequency of trail closings due to large rainfalls. Over the course of the next two years we hope to upgrade all wetland crossings on the property.

Help provide a positive image of ATVing by riding safely, responsibly, and demanding the same of your fellow riders. A fatal accident occurred on the Jackson County trails this past week. This was an unfortunate reminder of the need to practice safe riding at all times. Below are links to some excellent safety tips and ATV regulations.

ATV regulations [PDF 524KB]
ATV safety reminders [PDF 163KB]

Camping

All campgrounds are open for the season. Castle Mound is now on the reservation system. Reservations can be made for Castle Mound for dates through September 6 by using the Web [exit DNR] or calling (888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275.The other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.

Due to budget circumstances, the back loop at Pigeon Creek including sites 30-38 are closed along with the bathroom building that serves this area. Two other bathrooms in the 30-site campground remain open. The back loop and bathroom building will be opened on the two weekends each year (Memorial Day and Cranberry Fest) that Pigeon Creek Campground typically fills up.

No firewood that originates more than 50 miles from the campground you are staying in can be brought to the forest. This is to protect the forest from the emerald ash borer.

Day Use Areas

Robinson Beach will not be open this summer due to budget reductions. If you want to swim, check out our Pigeon Creek Flowage swimming beach. This beach is only three miles from Robinson and features new playground equipment, better bathroom facilities, and more shade for picnicking. We plan on making additional improvements to this area. Just next to the swimming beach is an excellent nature trail with interpretive signage that makes for a good family hike.

DNR Outdoor Report
Weather [exit DNR]

For more information, ask Black River State Forest, (715) 284-4103.