Jutting out into the largest fresh water lake in the world, Bayfield County is a jewel of natural resources and wonderful scenery. The ATV trails here flow through county and national forest lands. Notably, many trails glide through the northern part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
The Valhalla Area Trails are a popular destination for ATV enthusiasts. The Valhalla Trail, also known as the Valhalla Recreation Area, is positioned 10 miles west of the town of Washburn, which sits right on the big lake. With plenty of lodging, services and attractions, Washburn is accessible via ATV. It also can offer a relaxing diversion from a day on the trails. If roughing it is more your style, you can find campsites at Memorial Park and Thompson’s West End Park (715/373-6160; www.cityofwashburn.org) on the shores of Lake Superior. Several sites overlook Chequamegon Bay with picturesque views. Both parks are operated by the city and offer a number of amenities.
Many trails in this region are numbered for easy reference. The 15.3-mile Valhalla Trail system is an easy loop ride that takes you on Trails 35/31 on the north and west sides to Trails 13/33 on the south and east sides. Here you’ll experience plenty of rolling terrain and wooded sections.
You’ll also come across other trails along this route. The 2.3-mile Washburn Trail connects Valhalla through an area called Sun Bowl – an 80-acre glacial pit – as it exits the forest and onto county ATV routes.
Within the Valhalla Trail system, the Ridge Top Trail is a 1.1-mile stretch that’s a little more difficult due to one of the longest, steepest climbs in the area. But don’t let that stop you. It climbs the south side of Mount Valhalla where you’re rewarded with scenic views. The trail loops back to the Valhalla Trail. Nearby, the Valhalla Trail Lodge (715/292-7546; www.valhallatraillodge.com) on the edge of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest offers 10 cabins for a cozy rest and direct access to the trail.
From the Valhalla Trail, riders can take the Lenawee Trail (Trail 40) west 12 miles to the Old Baldy Trail. The easy ride traverses mostly sandy soils and follows a railroad grade part of the way. Along the route, you’ll see many mature pine plantation stands.
On at the Old Baldy, the 4.2-mile connector is an easy ride through a pine forest. It also accesses the must-see Mt. Baldy Overlook. On a clear day, you can see for miles over Lake Superior. Some even say you can see Minnesota off in the distance.
Heading south on the Battle Axe Trail brings you to Iron River where food, fuel and lodging are available. For those who want to be close to nature, there are several area campgrounds (www.visitironriver.com). If you are staying in Iron River and the ATVs are put away for the day, a trip to one of Wisconsin’s wineries might be interesting. The White Winter Winery (800/697-2006 or 715/372-5656; www.whitewinter.com) makes a special “mead” wine made of honey, water and yeast.
After an evening in Iron River, you can connect to the Tri-County Corridor Trail that heads east. Just outside of town is the Iron River Trail (Trail 31/21). At 18.5 miles long, it is the longest trail in the area. It also is heavily traveled because it connects Iron River with the Valhalla Trail. It rolls through pine forest and barren areas. Sensitive environmental habitats here make it important to stay on the trail.
South of Iron River you can follow the 11.5-mile long Buckskin Trail (Trail 31) to the 13-mile long Bear Paw Trail that leads to Drummond. While they’re both easy rides, you’ll encounter more rocky terrain and some areas are prone to puddling. With Lake Superior as a backdrop and the diverse terrain, ATV enthusiasts will find plenty of fun in Bayfield County. With so much to see and do, many return again and again.
- DISTANCE: 78 miles.
- DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.
- TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): For the Valhalla Trail, the trailhead is west of Washburn off Cty C and FR 505. To the south, access is available from FR 435 near Wannebo Road and off Cherryville Road near Barrens Road. To the west, access is available in Iron River and off East Long Lake Road. The Battleaxe trailhead is near the Battle Axe Road and Flag Road intersection.
- SEASON: Many trails close in the spring until the ground dries. Call for trail updates or visit www.travelbayfieldcounty.com.
- OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Tri-County Corridor, Buckskin Trail, and Bear Paw Trail.
- FEES: Daily parking fees are required at some U.S. Forest trailheads. The pass can be purchased on site. Annual passes
- also are available.
- CAUTION: The speed limit on all Bayfield County trails is 40 mph. The county also passed a sound ordinance. Noise from an ATV cannot exceed 96 decibels. Some routes are available through cities and towns. Be sure to follow the posted ATV route.
- LEGEND: For a complete listing of all icons, see page 4.
- AREA ATTRACTIONS: White Winter Winery.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
U.S. Forest Service – Washburn
Ranger District
715/373-2667
Bayfield Chamber of Commerce
800/447-4094 or 715/779-3335
www.bayfield.org
Ashland & Bayfield County Tourism
800/472-6338 or 715/373-6125
www.travelbayfieldcounty.com
Washburn Chamber of Commerce
800/253-4495 or 715/373-5017
www.washburnchamber.com
Iron River Chamber of Commerce
800/345-0716 or 715/372-8558
www.visitironriver.com
Tri-County Recreational Corridor
As the name suggests, the Tri-County Recreational Corridor is a rail trail across three counties in northern Wisconsin connecting the port cities of Superior and Ashland.
In the late 1800s, settlers mined the thick pine and hardwood forests along the southern shore of Lake Superior. The railroad took that timber to market along with area farm products. The rail line was, indeed, the lifeblood of frontier commerce.
Today, that same rail bed is the lifeblood of area recreation. In 1987, local government purchased the right-of-way and converted it to a recreational trail for all to enjoy. Since then, the 62-mile trail, which follows Hwy. 2, has been a popular route for ATV enthusiasts, snowmobilers and mountain bikers.
On the trail’s western end, Superior offers a variety of historic and scenic attractions, (see Wild Rivers State Trail, pages 6-7). Heading east, the trail is lined with the lush green trees that make up northern Wisconsin. With its hard packed surface, the Corridor is an easy ride that allows you to sit back and take in all the beauty the area has to offer. Along the trail, you might see a variety of wildlife including turkeys, deer, bear and even timber wolves.
Ten miles east of Superior, the trail travels just south of Amnicon Falls State Park (715/398-3000, www.wiparks.net). While not accessible from the trail on an ATV, the park is a sanctuary well worth a short hike. It holds many clues to the history of northern Wisconsin. In addition, the Amnicon River cascades over the spectacular rock formations at the park’s upper and lower falls. The park has 36 campsites. Fees apply for parking and camping.
Heading east, the tree-lined trail opens up just west of Poplar, where you can catch a glimpse of the area’s several farms. Food and fuel are available in Poplar, the hometown of Major Richard Bong, the most decorated pilot of World War II. Bong downed 40 enemy planes in the Pacific and earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center in Superior includes a replica of his P-38 fighter, named for his wife “Marge.”
After rolling through farmland, the trail dives into the forest west of Maple, a pleasant crossroads hamlet. From here, the trail parallels the northern edge of Hwy. 2 all the way to Brule, where you’re surrounded by the Brule River State Forest (715/372-5678, www.wiparks.net). This 40,000-acre forest protects the Boise Brule River, famous for its whitewater canoeing and trout fishing. The Brule is known as the “River of Presidents,” having been fished by Ulysses Grant, Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower.
Just to the east, you cross into Bayfield County and head into Iron River. The former logging town welcomes ATV riders with a full slate of services including lodging, dining, and ATV rental and repair. From here you can connect to the expansive Valhalla Trail system (see pages 8-9).
On the last leg of the Tri-County, from Iron River to Ashland, you’ll traverse 25 miles of varied terrain. The first half is heavily wooded, especially through a fourmile lobe of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. As the trail clears the forest, it doglegs north, then east again through more open farmland to Ashland.
In Ashland, you’ll find all the amenities and plenty to do. A series of seven giant murals painted on downtown buildings depicts the city’s history. The South Shore Brewery on Main Street offers tours year-round (715/682-9199, www.southshorebrewery.com). Just west of town the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (715/685-9983, www.northerngreatlakescenter.org) offers interpretive and historic exhibits, visitor information and trip planning.
Best of all, from the trailhead on Sanborn Avenue it’s a short walk to Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior. The views of the big lake are a great way to start or end a day’s ride.
- DISTANCE: 62 miles
- DIFFICULTY: Easy
- TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): Trail access and parking is available in Superior, Iron River, Brule, and Ashland. Access only in Poplar and Maple.
- SEASON: Open year round
- OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Saunders Grade, Gandy Dancer State Trail, Valhalla Area Trails, Dead Horse Run.
- CAUTION: Trail is open to other outdoor enthusiasts. Please use caution and good trail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all trail users.
- FEES: None.
- AREA ATTRACTIONS: Amnicon Falls State Park, Brule River State Forest, South Shore Brewery, Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center.
- LEGEND: For a complete listing of all icons, see page 4.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ashland Area Chamber of
Commerce
800/284-9484 or 715/682-2500
www.visitashland.com
Bayfield County Tourism &
Recreation
800/472-6338 or 715/373-6125
www.travelbayfieldcounty.com
Douglas County Forestry
Department
715/378-2219
www.douglascountywi.org
