Wilderness Wheelers Trail Updates

Wilderness Wheelers is an ATV club based  in Bigfork, Minnesota.  
We manage two grant in aid ATV trails. The Bigfork & Balsam Connection trail is 33 miles in length and the soon to be completed Wilderness trail will have 61 miles of designated ATV trail connecting the communities that make up the Edge of the Wilderness Area. Joining our club will provide you with the most up to date information on trail  openings, conditions, and volunteer opportunities to support ATV access in northern Itasca County. 
For Wilderness Wheeler's membership information click here.

Wilderness Trail Update! Phase 1 is 1 LARGE culvert in Marcell from being complete!
Phase 2 construction has started on the Wilderness Trail.  Preliminary signage has been completed directing riders to the open sections. Please respect the closed areas! ​

 
​Trail Conditions and Alerts:
B&B Trail is open! Trail conditions are very good. The work crews have been clearing brush, rocks, mowing and grading as usual. As always, drive carefully as some areas of our trail systems pass though forests with older trees that fall on the trail. Please let us know if you find a down tree that you cannot remove or drive around.

Phase 1 of the Wilderness trail is one LARGE culvert away from being complete! When installed it will provide a safe and scenic passage through Marcell. Signing the trail has begun with yellow ATV directional signs in place as each new segment is complete. Access to the Wilderness Trail can be made from the Bigfork to Balsam trail between mile markers 24-25 or the Alvwood-Squaw Lake Trail at Wirt as shown on the map above. You can also access the trail at Riley's Cannibal Junction (parking available) at State Hwy 6 and County Road 134, as well at State Hwy 6 and State Hwy 256 in Talmoon. Both the Little Turtle Lake Store and Hayslip's Corner offer ATV Parking. In Marcell you can park at the Marcell Snowdrifter's club house just south of Frontier Sports on Northwind Road. Parking in Bigfork at the Wilderness Wheelers parking lot west of state Hwy 38 on Rajala Mill Road is also an option. 

Currently there is not a loop drive on the Wilderness Trail. That will be accomplished in Phase 2 with an anticipated  completion date of late summer of 2024. 

​Trail Conditions: Bigfork to Balsam Connection Trail and the Wilderness Trail are both in very good condition. Please stay the trail and only ride trails that are open.   

Special notes:  
WILDERNESS TRAIL UPDATE. 

WE NEED HELP FUNDING THIS TRAIL - Please consider making a donation to this project by sending a check to Wilderness Wheelers, PO Box 319, Bigfork, MN. 566289  or donating on the Membership page. Unfortunately donations are not currently tax deductible. 

Because this is such a large project we are planning a two phase build of the trail occurring over a two year period. The trail will connect with the B&B trail and head west to Wirt MN. Connections to Bigfork, the Timberwolf Inn, Marcell, Talmoon, and Riley's Junction will make this a popular trail. Falling completely on the Chippewa National Forest, it will consist of a loop of over 40 miles and spurs to many other favorite spots. Please consider joining our club and/or donating time and funds to help support the development of this new trail system. The more support we get the faster this project can happen!

Wilderness Wheelers Merchandise is available! We have partnered with Creek Bank Printing located in Bigfork MN to provide Wilderness Wheelers merchandise! Proceeds from these sales fund maintenance of existing trails and development of the Wilderness Trail. Check out our current merchandise collection here: https://www.creekbankprinting.com/product-category/wilderness-wheelers/ 
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Bigfork – Balsam Connection Trail Status:  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/trail_detail.html?id=104
Youth ATV Field Training: MNDNR ATV training has returned:  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/atv/index.html
 
Trail parking lot locations:
Click this link to find driving directions to the Trail Head parking lot in Bigfork - Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/WyUQj9XAYkN2 
Click this link to find driving directions to the Long Lake Rd parking lot  - Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QokPZBGgAb82
County Hwy 7,  1 mile south of County Hwy 52. Watch for signs: maps.app.goo.gl/j8KFj5BtJp7NKGnx7

Wilderness Trail Parking:
Little Turtle Lake Store -Talmoon
Hayslips Corner - Talmoon  Large parking area: maps.app.goo.gl/wegAwjYgx7xSpXYS6
Riley's Junction - Junction of County Rd 134 and State Hwy 6 -Bowstring area
Marcell Snowdrifter's parking: maps.app.goo.gl/FHrJ1VR924ZuyMxv6
Reminder:  While riding on township and county roads the law requires us to stay to the right hand side of the roadway while using these corridors and obey all other traffic regulations.  On paved county roads please stay as far right as is safely possible.   We also ask you to avoid ditch riding  as we have to fix any damage caused by ATV use along our Bigfork to Balsam Trail corridor.  Stay The Trail! 

​Please check back regularly for current riding conditions throughout the riding season. 
Updated: 9/26/2023