Trail Safety and Etiquette
Trail Etiquette
Review these trail etiquette and group riding guidelines to help improve your trail riding experience.
- Keep to the right.
- Always yield to to the vehicle ascending a hill, versus the ones descending on a single trail.
- Smaller groups yield to larger groups riding on a single trail.
- Slower group permits faster group to pass on a single trail.
- Use hand signals to indicate number in party. Last in party indicates last by raised fist. (see graphic)
- When passing another vehicle, slow down to keep air born debris to a minimum.
- Yield to larger vehicles.
- When encountering someone on horseback, it's best to stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. Let the horse rider indicate when it's safe to continue.
Trail Ambassadors
Local clubs are the heart of any outdoor recreation system. The trail ambassador program in Wisconsin encourages participation from local clubs. We are very proud to have 15 active trail ambassador members in Turf and Tundra.
The trail ambassador program provides a presence on the trail systems with volunteers to reassure the public there is a group watching over them and the trail system they are enjoying.
From reporting dangerous conditions on the trail system, to talking with riders about how to enjoy their sport while taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves are few of the many duties of a trail ambassador. If you have an interest, you can learn more at www.trailambassador.com. If you would like to speak to one of our club ambassadors you can email Garry or Eric.
Encounter Emergency
Should you come across an emergency situation on the trail, call 911 and assist if possible. Once first responders are onsite, you might consider assisting with traffic or securing the site.
Riders Breaking the Rules
If you run across some bad behavior on the trail you can text our lead ambassador at 651-470-3904 and he will contact the Local Sheriff or DNR Officer.
Wisconsin Safety Course is Required for Riders
Safety Education
Anyone who operates an ATV on public riding areas – e.g. trails, frozen waters, routes, permitted county and/or forest lands in Wisconsin – who is at least age 12 years of age and who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, must have completed a safety certification course. These ATV operators must carry their safety certification card and they must display it to law enforcement officers when requested.
Anyone is eligible to take the class and receive a safety education completion certificate. For children under 12 years of age, the certificate does not become valid until the child reaches 12. Students with special needs must contact the instructor at least two weeks in advance of the course to request special accommodations.
Instruction emphasizes laws and regulations, ethics, personal safety and the proper use of all-terrain vehicles. The course requires a minimum of six hours and can be taken in a traditional classroom or competed online. The estimated cost for a class is $10 for classroom and $36 for online.
For more information go to the Wisconsin DNR website.
Burnett & Douglas County Maps
BURNETT COUNTY SUMMER TRAILS
DOUGLAS COUNTY TRAILS
BURNETT COUNTY WINTER TRAILS