Clark County Trail Mileage
Clark County is often described as having about 135 miles of ATV trails, but that number can be confusing when you are trying to plan an actual ride. Trail mileage does not always mean one continuous loop, and open routes can vary by season. This guide explains how to interpret the mileage, plan a practical ride, and check access before hauling your machine.
What Clark County’s trail mileage means
About 135 miles is a network figure
Clark County’s ATV trail system is commonly described as covering about 135 miles. Think of that as a broad measure of the network, not a promise that you can ride a single 135-mile loop without retracing your tracks. The mileage may include separate trail segments and connecting routes, and access can depend on which sections are open and how they link together.
That distinction matters when you are planning a weekend. A map can show an impressive total, yet your ride may need to start and finish at the same trailhead, use a connector, or turn around where a segment ends. The county’s published mileage is useful for understanding the system’s overall scale, but your rideable distance depends on the route you choose.
If you are comparing the reported total with another county’s network, make sure you are comparing similar things. Some maps emphasize designated ATV trails, while others also show legal road routes or connections. For a closer look at the reported figure, see [Clark County's 135 Miles].
Trails, connectors, and road routes are not all the same
A trail is not automatically interchangeable with a road route. A designated trail may run through a forest or along a dedicated corridor, while a route may use a public road that has been opened to ATV and UTV travel under local rules. They can appear together on a riding map, but the riding experience, permitted machines, and operating rules may differ.
This can catch visitors off guard. You might follow a route toward a nearby town expecting a continuous forest trail, then find that the connection uses roads or that a segment is not open to motorized travel. Read the map legend carefully and look for labels that distinguish trails from routes, public roads, and private land.
For background on how county systems fit into Wisconsin riding, [Wisconsin County Forest Trail Systems] is a useful companion. If your trip involves connections around Lake Arbutus and the neighboring riding area, [Riding North From Lake Arbutus] can help you think about how nearby mileage relates to the Clark County network. Do not assume that two areas connect just because they appear close together on a regional map; verify the actual legal route.
Mileage is not a measure of ride difficulty
A network’s total distance does not tell you whether a route is easy, tiring, narrow, muddy, or suitable for your particular machine. Two rides of equal length can feel very different depending on surface, turns, weather, traffic, and how often you stop. A family planning a relaxed outing may prefer a shorter out-and-back ride over trying to cover as much mapped mileage as possible.
Also consider the people and machines in your group. A newer rider may need more breaks and a slower pace than an experienced group. A wide side-by-side may need more care on narrow sections than a smaller ATV. Allow extra time for fuel, food, photos, and any unexpected slowdown instead of treating the listed mileage as a target you have to complete.
How to plan a Clark County ride
Choose a starting point before choosing a distance
Start by deciding where you will unload, then build your ride around the trails and routes accessible from that location. Neillsville, Greenwood, Owen, and Thorp are useful place names to recognize while looking at county maps, but a town’s presence on a map does not by itself guarantee a trailhead, parking area, or open connector. Confirm the access point and parking arrangements before you leave home.
For a first visit, a modest out-and-back ride can be easier to manage than a large loop. It gives you a clear turnaround plan if the group is tired, the weather changes, or a section is closed. If you want a longer ride, plan the route in sections and identify places where you can shorten it without getting stranded far from your trailer.
A paper county map can be especially helpful when a phone loses signal or its battery runs low. Digital mapping tools such as onX Offroad can also help you review a route and keep track of your position, but do not rely on a screen alone. Compare what you see in the app with current official maps and on-the-ground signs.
Check trail status and local rules before loading up
Trail status can change with the season, weather, maintenance, or local decisions. Spring thaw is a common time for temporary closures because wet trails are vulnerable to rutting and other damage. A route shown on an older map may not be open on the day you arrive, so check current county or land-manager notices before you drive to the trailhead.
Start with [Checking Wisconsin Trail Status Before You Drive], then confirm any details that apply specifically to Clark County. Pay attention to the date of a map or notice, not just whether you can find it online. If a sign at the trail says a section is closed, follow the sign even if an app still displays the route.
Rules can also vary from one jurisdiction to another. Check for posted hours, machine restrictions, trail-pass requirements, and road-route ordinances where relevant. If your planned route crosses a county or town boundary, verify the rules on both sides. [Reading a Wisconsin County Trail Map] can help you interpret map symbols and avoid mistaking a nearby road or private access for a public ATV trail.
Budget time, fuel, and room for changes
Do not estimate your day using mileage alone. Riding speed varies, and a group may stop more often than expected. A route that looks straightforward on a map can take longer when you include trailhead unloading, breaks, slow sections, and a stop in town. Give yourself enough daylight to return to your vehicle without rushing.
Fuel planning deserves the same attention. Estimate your machine’s range using your usual riding conditions, then add a margin for detours and delays. Do not assume a gas station will be directly on the route or open when you need it. [Fuel Planning for a Wisconsin Trail Day] offers a useful checklist for thinking through fuel gaps and backup plans.
Before departure, make a simple plan: where you are starting, which segments you hope to ride, where you will turn around, and what you will do if a connection is closed. Save the map for offline use if your chosen navigation tool supports it. onX Offroad can be a helpful way to keep a route visible when cell service is unreliable, but download or prepare the information before reaching a dead zone.
| Planning question | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| How much mileage is actually open? | The advertised network total may include closed or separate segments. | Current county notices, map dates, and trail signs |
| Is the connection a trail or road route? | Different segments can have different rules and riding conditions. | Map legend and local ordinances |
| Where can we park? | A nearby town or trail line does not guarantee legal staging. | Designated trailhead details and parking rules |
| Is the loop realistic for our group? | Skill, machine type, breaks, and weather affect the day’s pace. | Distance, surface, turnaround options, and daylight |
| Where can we get fuel? | Fuel may not be available along the trail. | Route distance, station access, and machine range |
What to expect on the trail
Conditions change with weather and season
Clark County trails can feel different from one visit to the next. Rain may leave low spots soft or muddy, while a dry stretch can create dust and reduce visibility behind another machine. After a storm, fallen branches or surface damage may affect travel even where the route is technically open. Ride at a pace that gives you time to respond to changing conditions.
Spring deserves particular caution. Trails can be closed while the ground is soft, and riding around a closure can cause lasting damage or create a safety problem. If your trip is planned early in the riding season, make checking the status part of the plan rather than assuming the trails will be open because the weather is pleasant.
In summer and fall, allow for more riders on popular weekends and be considerate near homes, farms, and road crossings. Keep a safe following distance, slow down where visibility is limited, and stay on marked routes. Those habits make the ride safer and help preserve access for everyone.
Use maps and signs together
A map helps you plan, but signs are essential once you are on the ground. Follow posted directions and closure notices, and do not treat a GPS line as permission to ride beyond a marked route. Property boundaries and legal access are not always obvious from a screen.
onX Offroad can help you orient yourself and keep a planned route in view, particularly when you are unfamiliar with the area. Still, check that the map layer and route information are appropriate for your trip, and compare them with official county information. If the sign and the app appear to disagree, stop and sort it out instead of riding ahead on assumption.
Bring a paper map or a saved offline map as a backup, and make sure someone in the group knows how to use it. Keep your phone charged and secured, and consider carrying a portable power source. [Wisconsin Trailhead Parking and Staging] is also worth reviewing if you need help planning where to leave a truck and trailer without blocking access.
Prepare for a ride that takes longer than expected
Even a well-planned ride can change. A closure may require a turnaround, a rider may need a longer break, or a slower stretch may stretch the schedule. Carry drinking water, basic first aid supplies, a charged phone, and any recovery or repair items that make sense for your machine and route. Let someone know your intended riding area and when you expect to return.
If your group includes newer riders or children, plan around their comfort rather than the most experienced person’s pace. Agree on a regrouping point before the ride and stop somewhere safe if the group becomes spread out. A short, enjoyable ride is better than trying to squeeze in extra mileage when people are tired.
For neighboring options, [Jackson County Forest Trail Network] may help you compare a separate nearby system, but treat it as a different ride-planning question. Confirm its access, status, and connections independently. Regional proximity does not mean every trail system is joined by a legal, open route.
A practical mileage-first planning checklist
Turn the network total into a ride you can finish
Use the reported mileage as context, then narrow your plan to a specific outing. Pick a trailhead, identify the segments you intend to ride, and calculate a conservative distance based on your group’s experience and machine range. If the map shows a loop, verify that every connecting section is open and legal before counting on it.
A simple plan might be to ride one section out and back, with a clear turnaround point and enough fuel for the return. A more experienced group might link several sections, but should still identify a shorter alternative. Marking a backup route in onX Offroad or another navigation tool can make it easier to adjust if a closure or unexpected condition changes the day.
Verify the details close to departure
Before leaving, check the official status information again, confirm parking, and review any local rules for the route you intend to use. Pack a current map, water, basic tools, and suitable clothing for the forecast. If the route includes road segments, make sure your machines and riders meet the applicable requirements.
Finally, treat mileage as a planning aid, not a score. Clark County’s roughly 135-mile network gives riders a substantial area to explore, but the best ride is the one that fits your group, stays on open routes, and leaves everyone with enough energy to enjoy the trip home. For more on statewide access and pass considerations, see [Wisconsin's Non-Resident Trail Pass].
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.
