TOWNSEND, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — ATV trails are open again in Oconto County.
Early spring weather conditions mean the trails are open a bit earlier than usual this year.
Red Arrow Snowmobile-ATV Club board member Bob Berth says conditions on the routes are favorable.
“Trails are beautiful. Mike and I have been out, and I think everything’s in real good shape, and we’re looking forward to a real good season,” said Berth.
Hundreds of miles of trails criss-cross the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, including five Northwoods counties. Officials say opening the same day, is important.
“We kind of got a late announcement this year, because we were waiting on the Forest Service to change their date. They usually open May first, so we had to wait for them to give us authorization to open early,” said Monty Brink, Oconto County Forest, Parks and Recreation Administrator.
Brink says the April 23 ATV trail opening is the earliest. He says a relatively mild winter coupled with a three-week long snowmobile season helped.
Area groups, like the Red Arrow Snowmobile ATV Club have spent the last few weeks working in the woods, getting the routes ready to ride.
“There’s always a tree or two that blows down in the spring, because of the wind, and stuff like that. So we’re out cutting up trees, and we run the groomer up and down the grade, and go pick rocks, and a couple other things to make sure the trails are safe,” said Mike Malueg, Red Arrow Snowmobile-ATV Club Trail Boss.
And businesses like gas stations and restaurants are open too.
“I think we’re in good shape, and I think everybody is ready to go, for a good year,” said Berth.
Last year, the ATV/UTV trails opened on May 8.
Other National Forest trails are also open, including for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.
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