Wisconsin’s Trails Get Extra Patrols This Labor Day Weekend

There may be no better place to ride than Wisconsin. The state is home to more than 500,000 registered ATVs and UTVs, with thousands of miles of public trails winding through forests, farmland, and small towns from one end of the state to the other.

And that number keeps climbing. Registrations have grown year after year, with one DNR warden describing the boom simply: the sport "has exploded." Communities across Wisconsin have voted to open up more roads and routes, and the machines have become a genuine way of life in much of the state.

All of which means this Labor Day weekend will bring a lot of people out to the trails for a few last days of summer fun. It also means, however, that riders should expect a little company along the way — because law enforcement will be out in force, working to make sure everyone gets home safe.

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Expect Extra Patrols On The Trails This Weekend

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that conservation wardens and county recreation deputies will step up patrols September 4-6 as part of its "Think Smart Before You Start" safety campaign.

Officers will be watching for unsafe and illegal operation, missing safety equipment, speeding, and riders operating while impaired.

The push comes as crashes trend the wrong way. Wisconsin has already recorded 31 ATV/UTV fatalities and 66 self-reported nonfatal accidents so far in 2026. "A large percentage of injury and fatal crashes involve riders not wearing helmets or seatbelts, operating without completing a safety course or with some level of impairment," said Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, the DNR's off-highway vehicle administrator.

To keep the weekend fun instead of tragic, the DNR is urging every rider to follow a few basics:

• Ride completely sober — zero alcohol or other substances.
• Wear a helmet, seatbelt, and eye protection at all times.
• Obey regulatory signs, stop signs, and posted speed limits.
• Keep your lights on, stay to the right, and maintain a safe speed on routes.
• Take a safety course, no matter your age or whether it's required.

Don't Forget The New Riding Laws That Took Effect This Year

The extra patrols are also a good reminder that the rulebook changed in 2026. While full details of the 2026 ATV/UTV regulations are on the DNR website, here are the key updates I broke down earlier that riders need to know:

• All operators and passengers riding in a UTV are now required to wear a seatbelt.
• Intentionally damaging property with an ATV or UTV carries more than just a fine; now violators can be on the hook for up to three times the cost of repairs.
• Towing any person on an ATV or UTV trail or route is now prohibited. On ice, towing a person is limited to 10 mph.
• UTVs are now subject to window tint restrictions.
• Eye protection is required if no windshield is present.

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None of it is meant to spoil the fun — it's meant to make sure there's plenty more of it. So gas up, grab your helmet, and enjoy one of the best long weekends of the year on Wisconsin's trails. Just ride smart, and everybody wins.