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- Black River State Forest
Black River State Forest Current conditions
Cross-country ski trails
Cross-country ski trail conditions.
Snowshoe trails
Snowshoers can enjoy the 1-mile and 0.6-mile trails at the Smrekar parking lot, the three mile trail that connects Pigeon Creek to Smrekar Road or the 1.5-mile loop around Castle Mound. Snowshoers are allowed anywhere on the state forest that is not a groomed trail.
Black River State Forest snowshoe trails map [PDF].
ATV and Snowmobile Trails
Winter ATV trails will open Saturday December 14. UTV and snowmobile trails remain closed.
Jackson County Forestry and Parks maintains and grooms all of the state forest's snowmobile and winter ATV trails. Grooming updates are posted on the Jackson County website [exit DNR].
Camping
Don't move firewood!
Due to the potential of carrying harmful tree pests and diseases, Wisconsin has restrictions for moving firewood.
Castle Mound campground is on the reservation system from May 1 through the second weekend in October. East Fork and Pigeon Creek campgrounds are reservable from the Thursday before Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend. The outdoor group camp is reservable from April 15 through November 30. The indoor group camp is reservable year-round.
The showers and dump station at Castle Mound are closed for the season.
East Fork Campground is closed for the season. Castle Mound and Pigeon Creek campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-served basis with a limited number of sites plowed during winter.
Backpackers can use our online permit [PDF] to register for camping.
For more information, go to Black River State Forest camping.
