Operating on Roads

Operating an ATV on a road or on a road's right-of-way is highly restricted and in most cases unlawful. There are a few exceptions; however, you should consider all highways (roads) and right-of-ways (ROW) closed to ATVs until you are sure operation is allowed.

• ATVs may be operated on highways that are designated and posted as ATV routes.
• ATVs may be operated on a highway to cross a bridge, culvert, or other obstruction after first stopping and yielding to motor vehicle traffic and pedestrians. ATVs may cross only if they can operate legally on both sides of the obstruction (i.e., a designated trail or private property with permission).
• ATVs may operate in the right-of-way (ditchline) of county and state highways only if the right-of-way is an ATV trail or ATV route.
• ATVs may be operated in the right-of-way (ditchline) of town roads with permission.
• There is no residential access allowance that permits you to ride from your house or place of lodging to the nearest trail. You must trailer your ATV to an access point on the trail unless you live immediately adjacent to a trail or route and it borders your property.

ATV Route Sign

A route is defined as a highway or sidewalk designated for use by ATV operators by the governmental agency having jurisdiction. ATV routes must be designated by ordinance and filed with the Department of Natural Resources.

Definition of a Highway

A highway is defined as all public ways plus thoroughfares and bridges on the same. It includes the entire width between the boudary lines of every way open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purpose of vehicle traffic. Generally, federal and state highways are designated by a letter or letters. Town highways are generally designated by a name.

U.S., State, or County Highways

ATV Trails and Routes

• ATV trails are off-road corridors designed for ATV travel.
• An ATV trail is identified by small brown signs with the white silhouette of an ATV along with orange blazer (diamond) signs. Be careful because snowmobile trails also use the orange blazer to mark the pathway of a trail. If the brown-and-white ATV sign is not present, you are not allowed to ride an ATV on that trail. A trail is not the same as a route and generally will never be on a road or in a ditch. Typically, a trail will involve a road only when you cross the road at marked intersections.
• Some trails may be designated as multiple-use trails. On these trails, you could encounter other traffic such as horses, motorcycles, other ATVs, and bicycles.
• Trail and route signs are standardized across Wisconsin. When a county, city, town, or village creates an ATV route, ATV route signs must be erected, along with directional arrow(s) at the beginning of the route and at locations and intervals necessary to enable ATV operators to follow the route.