WISCONSIN STATE TRAIL PASS

In 1999, the sale of trail passes in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine were very brisk, generating $121,759 of revenue. Paul Sandgren, from the Department of Natural Resources, estimated approx. 95% of the trail passes were purchased with mountain biking as the intended use.

In 2000 trail pass sales generated $88, 707.00 (Southern Kettle Moraine). In 1999 trail pass sales generated $121,759 and in 1997 $93,686 was generated. In 1996, 4,981 annual passes and 13,004 daily passes sold, generating $88,822 of revenue.

Bicyclists, equestrians, and cross country skiers on certain Wisconsin state trails, parks, forests and recreation areas must have a trail pass.

Daily trail passes cost $3.00, and annual passes cost $10.00. Trail passes are issued to individuals, (not the bike, horse, etc.). The same pass is good for biking, horse back riding, and skiing. Trail users under 16 years of age do not need a trail pass.

Since January, 1994, the trail pass has been required for certain off-road (mountain bike), horse, and cross country ski trails.

The trail pass was approved by the Natural Resources Board in 1993 with the support of many local user groups. The trail pass was created to raise much needed trail maintenance funds.

Passes are sold at offices of parks and trails requiring the fee, at DNR area, district, and central offices, and at many retail businesses near trails. Some trailheads have self-registration stations. Annual passes can be ordered by mail from:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces
Bureau of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 7921
Madison WI 53707

With Visa or MasterCard, they can be ordered by calling (608) 266-2181 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.


Note - There are Rangers in the parking lot and on the trails at John Muir checking for trail passes. Fines are $104.00



KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST

TRAIL PASSES SOLD DURING 1996

 MONTH

 DAILY TRAIL PASS

 ANNUAL TRAIL PASS

 January

 163

 169

 February

 16

 79

 March

 5

 59

 April

 26

 248

 May

 577

 1,210

 June

 654

 954

 July

 1,902

 829

 August

 3,544

 920

 September

 2,745

 254

 October

 1,516

 101

 November

 1,761

 116

 December

 95

 42

 Total Trail Passes

 13,004

 4,981

 Total Dollars

 $39,012

 $49,810

Approx. 95% of all trail passes purchased had
mountain biking checked as the primary use.

Created and maintained by: James Wamser