Author: Carol Witt-Smith

should be made only at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing. An obstruction may include, but is not limited to, impairment of view and potentially hazardous roadway conditions. See Figure 16.1 for safe trail crossing design.
ATV Routes &Trails
La Crosse County has one ATV club that offers one well- marked, safe, and well-groomed trail of approximately 16 miles in length. There is an additional private 7-mile trail open to club members for a single or annual fee.
The La Crosse County Code of Ordinance Section 7.08 outlines specific rules and regulations for ATVs within the County, including state ATV laws adopted, the applicability of rules of the road to ATVs, operation on county property, and ATV routes.
ATV Trail Operations
Trails are open year-round to users. When trails are closed due poor trail conditions, it is posted on the ATV Club, Tri-County Trailblazer’s social media page. To get the current trail conditions report, call (608) 399-1282.
Trail maps are available online through the ATV Club, Tri- County Trailblazer’s social media pages.
ATV Routes on County Highways
To connect the off-road trail portions together, ATVs are permitted on county highways in the locations shown in Figure 16.2.
Since these routes are shared use with county highways, the following conditions apply to all operators and passengers:
All ATV operators shall obey posted roadway speed limits.
All ATV operators shall ride single file.
All ATVs shall operate only on the extreme right side of the paved portion of the roadway. Operation of an ATV on the shoulder, ditch, or right-of-way is prohibited and illegal.
Headlights and taillights must be turned on at all times.
All persons under the age of 18 operating or riding an ATV must wear a helmet.
Routes must be signed in accordance with NR 64.12 and NR 64.12(7)(c).
These regulations are enforced by local law enforcement officials.
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16.3.3 Application for New ATV Route
To designate a new portion of an ATV route within La Crosse County, the municipality in which the route is located and/or an organized and established club must complete an application with the La Crosse County Highway Department. The application includes:
Name and sponsoring entities (municipality and/or organized and established club).
Input from jurisdictional law enforcement for the route’s location (provide to the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee and County Board).
Estimated cost for trail signage, which is the applicant’s responsibility to pay for the initial cost and installation of all trail signs.
Support or opposition from the local municipality(ies) in which the proposed route is located.

5.A map of the proposed route with logical destination and ending, and applicable connections for both routes (shared-use) and trails.
6.A review of the possibility of future connections to the overall system.
7.Considerations for amenities along the route, such as the availability of fuel, food/drink, and lodging.
16.4Liability
It is the reasonability of snowmobile and ATV riders to be familiar with and to observe all La Crosse County Ordinances and regulations that relate to the use of recreational vehicles within the County. The Highway Department, and La Crosse County, assumes no liability as to trails, machines, or individuals.
Figure 16.1 – Snowmobile Trail Crossing