Clark County’s 135 Miles
Clark County’s advertised 135 miles can sound like one continuous trail, but a real ride usually involves checking which segments are open, where roads connect, and where you can safely park and unload. This guide explains how to plan a Clark County ride, choose a suitable route, prepare your machine, and avoid the common mistake of treating every mapped line as open riding access.
What Clark County’s 135 miles means for riders
Think in terms of a trail network, not one uninterrupted route
The 135-mile figure is best understood as a way to describe the scale of Clark County’s riding opportunities—not a promise of one continuous trail that you can ride end to end without interruption. A practical day may combine designated trail segments with approved connecting roads, loops, and access points. The exact combination depends on where you start, what is open, and which machine you’re riding.
That distinction matters when you’re planning with a group. Someone who expects a single, clearly marked route may be surprised to find that a trip requires a map, turns through more than one riding area, or a return along the same segment. Before setting out, identify your starting point, turnaround point, fuel plan, and any road connections you intend to use. A mileage total is useful for understanding the area’s scale, but it is not a substitute for a route plan.
Clark County has several communities that can help orient a trip, including Neillsville, Greenwood, Stanley, Thorp, Owen, and Withee. Don’t assume that a trail passes through each town—or that riding is allowed on every road leading into one. Check the current county map and local rules before treating a town as a trailhead or planning to ride there for fuel or food.
Understand the difference between trails and road connections
Trail riding and riding an ATV or UTV on a road are not automatically the same thing. A marked trail is a designated corridor; a road connection is available only where local rules allow it. In some parts of Wisconsin, a town or county may open certain roads to ATV and UTV use, while nearby roads remain closed. A line on a general map does not necessarily tell you which type of route it is.
This is especially important for UTV riders. A route that works for a smaller ATV may have width restrictions, different operating rules, or an access limitation for a larger machine. Check signage at intersections and follow the rules for the specific road or trail. If a connection is unclear, don’t assume it is legal just because other riders appear to be using it.
If the ride involves road segments, read [What a Wisconsin ATV Route Actually Is] and [Town Roads Open to ATVs in Wisconsin] before you go. These details can help you distinguish a designated route from a trail and remind you to verify local ordinances. For a wider overview of the area’s mapped distance, see [Clark County Trail Mileage].
Plan a route that fits your day
Start with a realistic distance and turnaround point
A useful plan starts with the riders, not the mileage target. A group with young riders, a new operator, or someone unfamiliar with the machine may need shorter stretches and more breaks. Experienced riders may cover more ground, but rough conditions, frequent stops, navigation, and road crossings can slow a day down considerably. Build the route around the least experienced person in the group rather than assuming everyone will maintain the same pace.
Pick a turnaround point before you leave. That gives your group a clear moment to reassess remaining daylight, fuel, fatigue, and weather. If you’re riding with children, agree on a simple regrouping routine: stop at designated junctions, wait until everyone is together, and don’t leave a rider behind to catch up alone. A route that looks modest on a map can feel much longer when someone is cold, tired, or dealing with a minor machine issue.
For your first visit, choose a shorter out-and-back or a loop that stays close to your starting area. Once you understand the terrain, signage, and pace, you can plan a longer day. Nearby riding options such as [Jackson County Forest Trail Network] or [Riding North From Lake Arbutus] may be useful for comparing regional trip ideas, but they are separate planning considerations. Don’t assume that nearby trail systems connect directly to Clark County’s trails without checking an official map.
Use maps as planning tools, then follow signs on the ground
A map helps you prepare, but trail signs and local closure notices matter once you arrive. Before departure, review the route and note intersections, access points, likely stopping places, and any sections that could be confusing. Save or carry the map in a way that remains usable if your phone battery drops or cellular service is weak. In the Northwoods, a screen that worked at the motel may not load new information reliably once you’re out riding.
onX Offroad can be one planning aid for reviewing routes and orienting yourself, but don’t treat an app as permission to ride. Confirm access with official county information, pay attention to posted signs, and turn around if a route is closed or the permitted use is uncertain. A digital track can be outdated, incomplete, or drawn in a way that doesn’t show every local restriction.
Before leaving home, check [Finding a Wisconsin County Trail Map] and [Checking Wisconsin Trail Status Before You Drive]. When you arrive, compare the map with posted signs and any notices at the staging area. If those sources disagree, take the more cautious option and confirm the route with the responsible local office rather than relying on a downloaded track alone.
| Planning question | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| How far can we ride? | Open segments, road connections, and a planned turnaround | The area’s total mileage is not necessarily one continuous route |
| Is this section open? | Current notices and signs at the access point | Seasonal closures and conditions can change what is usable |
| Can our machine fit? | Width restrictions and route-specific rules | A route suitable for one machine may not suit another |
| Where do we unload? | Legal staging and parking options | A nearby lot or road shoulder may not be an approved staging area |
| Can we refuel? | Fuel stops along the planned route | Long gaps can affect range and the group’s return plan |
Choose a starting point and handle logistics
Confirm access and staging before loading the trailer
A good riding day can unravel before the first mile if there’s nowhere appropriate to park and unload. Check where the designated access points are, whether parking is permitted, and whether space is suitable for your trailer. If you’re bringing a larger enclosed trailer or several machines, think about turning room and how you’ll leave the site without blocking other riders.
Avoid assuming that a business lot, private driveway, forest entrance, or roadside pull-off is an acceptable staging area. Parking permission can be separate from permission to ride, and a convenient place to unload may not be set up for trail users. Respect posted restrictions, keep access clear for other vehicles, and don’t leave a trailer where it blocks a gate or emergency access.
For a practical checklist, review [Wisconsin Trailhead Parking and Staging]. If your group is coming from outside the area, also plan where the trailer will stay while you ride and whether your overnight lodging permits trailer parking. It’s much easier to confirm this before the trip than to discover after arrival that the only available lot is too tight or has a restriction you missed.
Plan fuel, food, and the return trip
Fuel planning should include more than the machine’s estimated range. Mud, soft ground, cold weather, frequent stops, heavy loads, and low-speed riding can all affect consumption. Start with a full tank when practical, know where the likely fuel options are, and leave a reserve for the trip back to your staging point. Don’t build a route around a fuel stop until you’ve confirmed it is accessible and open when you expect to arrive.
Food and water matter too, especially on a longer ride or a warm day. Pack enough for delays, not just the planned ride time. A slow group, a wrong turn, a flat tire, or a temporary closure can add hours. A small first-aid kit, basic repair supplies, a charged phone, and a backup way to navigate can make a frustrating delay much easier to manage.
onX Offroad may help you review your intended route and nearby landmarks while planning, but keep a backup plan in case you lose signal or the route changes. For a fuller pre-ride routine, see [Fuel Planning for a Wisconsin Trail Day]. If your trip crosses from one riding area into another, check [Wisconsin Trails That Cross a County Line] rather than assuming that access, rules, and open dates stay the same across the boundary.
Match the ride to your machine and group
Check width, capability, and trail conditions
Before committing to a route, confirm that your machine is suitable for it. UTVs can be wider and heavier than ATVs, so a narrow corridor, tight turn, or soft shoulder may feel very different from the same route on a smaller quad. Check published width limits and follow signs at the trail entrance. If your machine is close to a stated limit, measure it as equipped—including accessories that add width—instead of guessing from the factory specifications.
Conditions can also change what feels manageable. A route that is straightforward on firm ground can become difficult after rain, during spring thaw, or when ruts deepen. If you encounter water, washouts, blocked access, or damage, don’t try to force your way through or create a new path around it. Turning around protects your machine, your group, and the trail surface.
If you’re bringing a full-size UTV, use [Wisconsin Trails Rated for Full-Size Rigs] as a starting point for evaluating fit, then confirm the specific Clark County route and its current restrictions. “Full-size compatible” should never be treated as permission to ignore posted closures, seasonal limits, or local operating rules.
Set expectations for different experience levels
Groups often have mixed riding experience, and that can change the character of a trip. A confident adult may see a junction as a minor navigation choice; a younger rider may find it stressful when the group disappears around a bend. Keep the group together, choose a pace that allows everyone to ride within their ability, and agree on simple signals for stopping or regrouping.
Make sure everyone knows the plan before starting: who leads, who follows, where the group will stop, and what to do if someone gets separated. Keep children and new riders in a position where an adult can supervise them. If one person needs a break, the whole group should pause somewhere safe rather than splitting up and trying to reconnect later.
Review [Wisconsin Age Rules for ATVs and UTVs] before bringing young riders, and check the relevant safety and training requirements for your group. A pleasant family ride depends on more than finding a scenic route; it also means choosing a distance, pace, machine, and level of supervision that everyone can handle comfortably.
Ride responsibly and check conditions before departure
Treat closures and access rules as part of the route
Trail conditions and access can change with weather, maintenance, seasonal schedules, and local decisions. A route that was open on a previous visit may not be open for your next trip. Check notices before travelling, then look again at the trailhead. If a segment is marked closed, respect the closure even if a track is visible or you see tire marks beyond the sign.
Staying on the designated route is also part of responsible riding. Cutting around a barrier or detouring across private land can damage property and create access problems for everyone who uses the system. If a route appears blocked or unsafe, turn back and report the issue through the appropriate local channel. Don’t widen a trail or enter a field or forest road simply because it looks like a convenient workaround.
Use [Wisconsin Trail Closures in April] and [Where Wisconsin Closure Notices Are Posted] as useful background on why closure checks matter, especially around seasonal transitions. For Clark County, prioritize information from the local authority responsible for the route and posted signs at the access point over informal online comments.
Prepare for a safe, low-stress day
Before unloading, do a quick machine check: tires, brakes, lights, fuel, and any straps or accessories that may have shifted during transport. Carry identification and any required registration or permit documents, and make sure riders understand the rules that apply to their machine and route. A short check in the parking area can catch a loose strap or low tire before it becomes a problem miles from the trailer.
Wear suitable protective gear and dress for a change in weather. Even a mild afternoon can feel cold after a long ride, and wet clothing can make a minor delay miserable. Bring water, a basic first-aid kit, a phone charger or power bank, and a paper or offline map. Let someone know where you’re riding and when you expect to return, especially if your group is heading out without reliable cell service.
A little flexibility makes the day better. If the route is muddy, a section is closed, or a rider is tired, shorten the plan instead of forcing the original mileage. Clark County’s 135-mile scale gives riders plenty to plan around, but the best trip is not the one that covers the most ground. It’s the one where everyone gets back safely, the machine is intact, and the group leaves the trail as it found it.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
