Barron County

[RHFD547]

Thinking of trying a near area in Wisconsin to ride this year and curious about Barron County. Is it good or bad, and does that area get adequate snow most of the season? Thanks!

 

[SledTL]

Thinking of trying a near area in Wisconsin to ride this year and curious about Barron County. Is it good or bad, and does that area get adequate snow most of the season? Thanks!

I assume that you are coming from IL being that your location says south of I-80. The county and northwest WI is a hidden treasure in my mind. Very much the northwoods but less traffic and people. Snow cover is typically adequate but HWY 8 is the teetering line of the state. Sometimes its good, other times have to go to the snow belts. Bayfield and ashland counties are probably the most reliable, but thats also couple more hours for you. If there is snow you shouldnt have issues getting lodging as its typically not a super "hot" spot for tourists in the winter. Rice Lake, Spooner, Hayward lakes are probably the bigger attractions in that area.

 

[elf]

I've ridden in the Blue Hills area between Weyerhauser and Birchwood several times and its fantastic trails.

 

[Midwest Player]

Don't know about snowmobiling in this area in winter, but I know ORV-ing is really big in Burnett County just north of Barron County. Barron County has the Turtle Lake casino and Burnett County has the Danbury casino. Always many ORV's in Danbury area. I come across WI on scenic
US-77 from Ironwood to Hayward to Danbury. It is a desolate highway.

By the way, this weekend is free ORV-ing in MI.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79148_80650-487855--,00.html

 

[xcr440]

You will find Barron County to be a little more field running, but there is a fair amount of wooded trails as well. Some super fun rolling hills between wooded areas, and you can cover ground pretty quickly. Stops are plentiful for gas and food. Lodging may be a little less than some of the bigger northern counties, but there is some there. I own land in Barron County, but usually just ride to it, play in the woods, and get back to the trail. I usually base at my sisters south of New Richmond in St. Croix County, and Barron is a pass through county for me on a back pack trip. From just south of New Richmond, you can get to Spooner in just under 100 miles, or all the way to Winter WI in 140 miles.

As noted, snow can be a little more scarce from the Barron County area south, but the trails fun when they have the snow!

 

[RHFD547]

Thanks for the input everyone. We normally ride in the Boulder Junction and Mercer areas and a friend of mine asked about this area because of the traffic volume in Iron County.

 

[xcr440]

Thanks for the input everyone. We normally ride in the Boulder Junction and Mercer areas and a friend of mine asked about this area because of the traffic volume in Iron County.

You will be pleasantly surprised by the difference when there’s snow.

 

[renegade]

I will second the Bruce, Weryerhauser, Birchwood area. Draw a circle from Holcombe, to Ladysmith, Winter Birchwood area, down to Rice Lake and Chetek back to Holcombe. Western Rusk county is very underrated area. You will not be disappointed. Good trails taken care of, rivers to run and good places to stop. Would pick this area over Barron county.