Wisconsin has over 25,000 miles of snowmobile trails, including 250 miles of trails here in Vernon County, but they are constructed and maintained by many different clubs and units of government, which can make finding information about them tricky.

Wisconsin has used a partnership model between state government, local government and local snowmobile clubs to administer its trail system. The Wisconsin DNR provides funding to local clubs that can get reimbursed for costs associated with maintenance. In Vernon County, the Vernon County Parks Department in the Land and Water office administers the funds from the DNR to the local clubs.

In addition, local clubs often raise their own funds and go beyond what the can done with that state funding. Local clubs provide volunteer labor to maintain trails, put up and remove signage and groom trails.

It is important to note that all of the “state funds” are generated by those who purchase and register snowmobiles, by residents and nonresidents who purchase snowmobile trail passes and by enthusiasts who join local snowmobile clubs.

Trail Passes

According to the DNR a snowmobile trail pass fee is dependent upon whether the snowmobile for which you are purchasing the trail pass is registered in Wisconsin and whether the owner of that snowmobile is a member of a snowmobile club that is affiliated with and recognized by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC). All snowmobile trail passes are valid for one season and expire June 30.

Snowmobiles must also be registered in Wisconsin.

Trail Info

For general statewide information about trails, Tavel Wisconsin provides an interactive snow report map that gives reports of snow conditions for the whole state for all kinds of outdoor recreation.

For more specific information here are some links for trails here in the area, to see if your favorite trail is open or closed and who maintains or controls that particular stretch of trail.