Contact:
Grant Questions: Anne Reis, Public Lands Specialist
Anne.reis@wisconsin.gov or 608-279-6483
Yurt Questions: Brian Markowski, Northwest District Parks and Recreation Supervisor
Brian.markowski@wisconsin.gov; 920-365-9738
ADA-Accessible Yurt Now Open For Reservations
This ADA-accessible yurt is now available for hunters in Flambeau River State Forest.
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the opening of an ADA-accessible yurt for hunters in the Flambeau River State Forest in Sawyer County.
The ADA-accessible Elk Ridge yurt was paid for through a Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (PR Act) grant and is exclusively available to hunters until Nov. 30. It will reopen on May 1 for the spring turkey seasons and then, from June 1 through Aug. 31, the yurt is reservable for all recreation purposes.
“It will be so nice to allow people to enjoy such a unique opportunity while staying in the Flambeau River State Forest. The yurt will provide an experience to enjoy nature, hunting, fishing, relaxing and most of all to create lasting memories,” said Maggie Lorenz, Flambeau River State Forest Property Manager.
The yurt offers nearby access to hunter walking trails and a carry-in canoe/kayak launch on the Flambeau River. The yurt can also be accessed directly from the Flambeau River, as it is just upstream from Dix-Dox Landing. Amenities include:
- bunkbeds
- one ADA-accessible bunk
- wood-burning stove
- bear-proof food storage box
- enclosed vault toilet
- fire pit
- outdoor game pole for processing
In addition to the Elk Ridge yurt construction, the PR Act grant also helped DNR staff complete more than 140 different access improvement projects at 75 state properties, including:
- upgrading over 100 parking areas
- improving 57 miles of roads
- upgrading 200 miles of hunter-access trails
- building new hunting blinds
- upgrading dams for impoundments that support waterfowl
- creating habitat for game birds through 3,000 acres of rotational grazing projects
The PR Act grant is funded through firearm and ammunition purchases. The funds translate into approximately 540,000 acres of improved hunter access across Wisconsin.
More information on the PR Act and the Wisconsin Habitat Partnership Fund can be found on the DNR’s website. Additionally, Elk Ridge yurt reservations can be made on the DNR’s reservation webpage.
