ATV/UTV Trail Aids
Counties, towns, cities, villages and tribes can apply for funds to acquire, insure, develop and maintain ATV/UTV trails, areas and routes.
Contact Jillian Steffes, 715-210-4911 with questions. To sign up to recieve notifications for Governor's ORV Council meetings and ATV/UTV Trail Aids program updates, go here.
Who can apply
Counties, towns, cities, villages and tribes can apply for ATV Trail Aids.
Eligible items
Eligible items and funding levels include:
- all-terrain/utility-terrain vehicle trails available for spring, summer, and fall reimbursable up to 100 percent of eligible maintenance costs (max: $800 per mile);
- all-terrain vehicle trails available for winter riding reimbursable up to 100 percent of eligible maintenance costs (max: $100 to $200 per mile depending on other uses);
- development of ATV trails and areas reimbursable up to 100 percent of eligible costs;
- major rehabilitation of bridge structures or trails reimbursable up to 100 percent of eligible costs; and
- maintenance of ATV intensive use areas reimbursable up to 50 percent of eligible costs.
Any costs incurred PRIOR to receipt of a grant are not reimbursable and MAY jeopardize your entire grant.
Consult the ATV Application Guidelines (CF-004) [PDF] for information about eligible/ineligible costs for development and maintenance projects.
Ranking priorities
Trail funds are distributed according to the following ranked purposes (NR 64.14 [exit DNR]):
- maintenance of existing, approved trails, areas, and routes;
- liability insurance acquisition;
- easement acquisition;
- major rehabilitation of bridge structures or trails; and
- Land acquisition and development of new ATV trails and areas.
Deadlines
Applications are due in the regional offices by April 15 for the following season.
Applying
Applying
Contact your DNR grant project manager before applying to discuss your potential project.
Notice: Some web browsers do not open PDF files on their own. If you experience trouble opening or filling out a PDF form, visit the DNR PDF help for instructions on how to successfully open PDF files.
- Guidelines For The All-Terrain Vehicle Trail/Area Aids Program (CF-004) [PDF]
- Outdoor Motorized Recreation Trail Aids Application (Form 8700-159) Updated
- Recreation Grant Project Cost Estimate Worksheet (Form 8700-014) [PDF]
- Radio Communication Equipment Ranking Tool [DOCX]
- Safety Signage Ranking Tool [DOCX]
- Statewide Digital Information Application Ranking Tool [DOCX]
- Sample Resolution For Motorized Recreation Aids [PDF]
Reimbursement
Reimbursement materials
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Resources
Guides and information
- Guidelines For The All-Terrain Vehicle Trail/Area Aids Program (CF-004) [PDF]
- Special Guidance - ATV Trails and Water Permits [PDF]
- Procurement Guide For Local Governments Receiving DNR Grants [PDF]
- Wisconsin ATV Guide
- Creating Conservation Easements
- Accessibility Guidance For Grant Funded Projects (CF-031) [PDF]
ATV equipment and labor rates
- Rates for the 2022-23 season:
- ORV Council Equipment and Labor Rates 2022-23 Season
- 2022-23 DOT Equipment Rates
Bridges
- Bridge Guidelines (CF-005) [PDF]
- Bridge Ranking Worksheet [PDF] Must be submitted with bridge rehabilitation applications.
- Capital Improvement Acknowledgement Example [PDF]
Highways
Trail signing
ORV COUNCIL
Contact
- Contact information
- For questions about ATV Trail Aids, contact:
- Jillian Steffes
Department of Natural Resources
107 Sutliff Ave
Rhinelander, WI 54501
(715) 210-4911 - Your regional DNR grant project manager
- Your County ATV/UTV Trail Coordinator [PDF]