Current News
Campground Reservation System
Motorcycles Prohibited on Washburn County Trails
Washburn County Forest – Annual Reports and Work Plans
Washburn County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2021-2035
ATV Trail Status
Washburn County ATV Trail Opener
Timber Sales
Washburn County’s Timber Sales program plays a vital role in the sustainable management of our county forests. By conducting periodic timber sales, the county supports responsible forestry practices that promote healthy forest ecosystems, provide economic benefits, and ensure long-term resource sustainability.
Helpful Links
Recreation & Resources
Washburn County Recreation
Explore Washburn County’s abundant recreational opportunities and natural resources through our comprehensive program. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a connection with nature, our Recreation & Resources page provides everything you need to plan your experience.
For additional information, you can also visit Washburn County Tourism.
Online Campground Reservations
All campground reservations can be made online using our Online Campground Reservations system.
ATV Trails
Washburn County manages 116 miles of ATV trails, primarily on our county forest lands. The Wild River Trail, an abandoned railroad corridor running north and south through the county, is the backbone if the trail system. The County maintains numerous addition trail segments connecting various communities in the area. These trails are open for ATV and UTV use with minor segments shared with other vehicles. Please note that motorcycles and dirt bikes are not permitted on our trails. We are currently looking at other potential trails throughout the County.
Please note that with the exception of the Wild River Trail, ATV use is not permitted anywhere on the County Forest between April 1 through the first Friday before Memorial Weekend. All ATV use is prohibited at any time that DNR fire danger is listed at very high or higher.
Please tread lightly and stay on trails. Our trails are maintained primarily by volunteers. Want to get involved? Contact us for information about joining an ATV Club.
Review the Washburn County Road and Access Information.
For more information and trail maps, visit Washburn County Tourism
Snowmobile Trails
Washburn County operates 240 miles of State funded snowmobile trails. Trails are maintained and groomed by local snowmobile clubs. These clubs also groom numerous, unfunded club trails. Trails cross County Forest and private lands. Please respect these lands as you ride in order to ensure the future of the snowmobile trail system. Information about snowmobile trails conditions can be obtained by contacting the Washburn County Forestry Department at (715) 635-4490.
Hunting, Fishing, & Wildlife
Washburn County Forest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering excellent hunting, fishing, and wildlife experiences. Hunters can find deer, bear, grouse, and more, with accessible areas for both motorized and backcountry exploration. Anglers enjoy diverse fishing opportunities, from bass and panfish in small lakes to walleye, musky, and trout in larger lakes and rivers. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot eagles, osprey, wolf packs, and a variety of non-game species, making the forest a perfect destination to connect with nature.
Washburn County Forest Hunting Maps
Forest management and harvesting on the Washburn County Forest provides habitat for game and non-game species. Hunters can find numerous opportunities near and around recent harvests and can also benefit from a knowledge of age class diversity.
The Forestry Department has created harvest maps and aspen age class maps for each of the 15 integrated resource management units on the Washburn County Forest. These maps are current as of 10/1/2023.
Grouse hunters can utilize the following maps that depict aspen acreage by age class:
Unit 4 – Silent Wood Unit Aspen
Unit 7 – Stuntz Brook Unit Aspen
Unit 14 – Spider Lake Unit Aspen
Unit 15 – Welsh Lake Unit Aspen
We also receive numerous requests for map information on recent harvest areas. The following maps depict timber sale contracts that were closed between the time period of 1/1/2018 and 9/1/2021. Please note that there may be areas with recent harvest activity not depicted on these maps due to contracts still being open.
Unit 1 – Flowage Unit Harvests
Unit 2 – Totogatic Unit Harvests
Unit 3 – Waggoner Unit Harvests
Unit 4 – Silent Wood Unit Harvests – This unit is not managed and no harvest data is available.
Unit 5 – Stanberry Unit Harvests
Unit 6 – Gardner Unit Harvests
Unit 7 – Stuntz Brook Unit Harvests
Unit 8 – McKenzie Unit Harvests
Unit 9 – Namekagon Unit Harvests
Unit 11 – Fenander Unit Harvests
Unit 12 – Harmon Unit Harvests
Unit 13 – Sawmill Unit Harvests
Cross Country Skiing
Three ski trails are groomed on the County Forest.
Nordic Woods
The first is the Nordic Woods ski trail, which is on Highway 70 between Spooner and Stone Lake. This trail is approximately 15 kilometers in length with a number of loop trails. The terrain is rolling and winds through hardwood ridges and around numerous lakes. The trail is in the process of upgrade to accommodate both traditional and freestyle skiers.
Click here for Nordic Woods Ski Trail Map (pdf)
(Note: The map will open in a new browser window.)
Totogatic Ski Trail
The Totogatic ski trail is located north of Minong on Hwy 53. The trail is approximately 8 kilometers in length with a number of loops. The terrain ranges from flat to rolling and is groomed for traditional skiing only.
Click here for Totogatic Ski Trail Map (pdf) (Note: The map will open in a new browser window.)
Equestrian Trails
Dugan Run Horse Trails
The Dugan Run Horse Trails are located 15 miles east of Spooner. 30 miles of equestrian trail loops through gently rolling hardwood ridges.
The north trail head is located 2 miles north of Highway 70 on Dugan Lake Road. Amenities include parking, bathroom, well, pavilion, fire ring, grills and primitive camping.
Click here for a map of the north loops of the Dugan Run Horse Trail (pdf)
(Note: The map will open in a new browser window.)
The south trailhead is located 2 miles south of Highway 70 on Harmon Lake Road. Amenities include parking, bathroom, well, fire rings, grills and 12 campsites with electrical hookup.
Click here for a map of the south loops of the Dugan Run Horse Trail (pdf)
(Note: The map will open in a new browser window.)
Mountain Biking Trail
Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail
The Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail is 20 miles of loop trails in the township of Beaverbrook. A parking area lies 4 miles east of Spooner just off of Highway 70. A combination of single track, old logging trails, and portions of the Beaverbrook ATV trail provide for a wide variety of riding skills and experiences. This trail system was built by local mountain bike enthusiasts who volunteered to construct and maintain a trail.
Click here for a map of the Wildcat Mountain Bike Trail (pdf)
(Note: The map will open in a new browser window.)
Canoeing River Routes
Washburn County offers many opportunities for canoeists. The Namekagon River is part of the National Scenic Waterway system managed by the National Parks Service. Canoeing opportunities also exist on the Yellow and parts of the Totogatic River.
Birchwood Canoe trails:
Washburn County has two primitive canoe routes within the Birchwood canoe unit, six miles north of Birchwood. Both routes are in a primitive area with little to no development and provide a unique opportunity for a quiet, back country experience. The canoe route areas lie within heavily forested, rolling topography with a high density of small glacial lakes. These lakes are land locked deep soft water lakes with steep banks and wooded shores. Bass and Panfish are abundant. A canoe portage and trail system has been marked to guide canoeists.
Sawmill Lake Primitive Canoe Route:
This canoe route begins at the Sawmill Lake campground. The portage trail accesses 9 separate lakes, with most portages less than 100 yards. The lakes along this route are relatively deep, with maximum depths of up to 40 feet. Bass and Panfish are abundant, however many of these lakes are prone to winterkill. Of particular interest is the presence of Green Sunfish.
Click here for Sawmill Canoe Route Map
(Note: The map will open in a new browser window.)
Loyhead Lake Primitive Canoe Route:
This canoe route is located 7 miles north of Birchwood. The route begins at Loyhead Lake at the boat landing on the Birchwood Fire Lane. The portage trail accesses 7 separate lakes with most portages less than 200 yards.
Click here for Loyhead Lake Canoe Route Map
(Note: The map will open in a new browser window.)