Off-Road Trails: Michigan

Talk about a vast diversity of riding terrain! Michigan seemingly has it all, from gnarly rock climbs to sand dunes to riding on an island that you have to ferry your vehicles over to! Yes, you read that right... You could say that that is an adventure you need to take the entire family on.

Another great part about Michigan is that the riding areas/parks are scattered all around the state. Whether you live there or in a nearby state, you'll appreciate this diversity of terrain and riding locations.

Load up your trail and head out - summer is the best time to visit all of these trail systems!

222 Adventures

Michigan has thousands of miles of trails, with all types of terrain. One of the hubs of ATV trail activity in the state is St. Helen. This is often referred to as the hub of ATV activity in the state and is located in the north-central region of the Lower Peninsula, making it a great Destination Yamaha location. If you want to try it out, but don’t want to bring your own machines, 222 Adventures can set you up with a Yamaha Wolverine X2 and X4 rental so you can explore the over 200 miles of trails in the St. Helen area. There are many local places to eat, stay and fuel up, all right along the trails. This is a very ATV-friendly area, so come, feel welcome and enjoy the ride.

M&M Powersports

While the Lower Peninsula of Michigan has lots to offer, the Upper Peninsula takes things up a notch with trails everywhere, and some of the most scenic places in the state. If you’re looking for an ATV adventure that takes you up into Copper Country and Lake Superior, head to the Keweenaw Peninsula. If you’re looking for a great starting point, head to Destination Yamaha’s M&M Power Sports in Hancock, MI. They can set you up with any parts and accessories you need, trail advice and Yamaha Wolverine and RMAX rentals, too. Another very ATV-friendly region, you can explore some of Michigan’s most historic towns. In the fall, the colors are spectacular, too.

Sun Buggy Fun Rentals

No trip to the Great Lakes State for an adventurous ATV rider is complete without a stop at the famous Silver Lake Sand Dunes on Michigan’s west coast, and of course, Destination Yamaha can set you up with some fun times. Sun Buggy Fun Rentals are the top-rated ATV rental service in the area with a line-up of Yamaha Wolverine, RMAX, Viking and Kodiak 450 machines ready to roll. Their service is what sets them apart, too. They have a free shuttle service to get you from your car to your machine and they get you ready and set to go so you spend more time ripping on the dunes and less time trying to figure things out. If you’re not sure what you want to do, take advantage of their fully-guided ATV tours using ATVs and UTVs. It is a great way to see the beauty of this amazing area and Lake Michigan.

• Size 250 Acres
• Skill Level All
• Trailhead Jerome, Mich.

Bundy Hill Off-Road Park

Sitting on a very productive mining operation that was shut down in 2012, Bundy Hill Off-Road Park is a family-friendly off-road park (no alcohol allowed) that sits on 350 acres. Being that it was an old mining area, this off-road park has a bit of everything for the off-road enthusiast, including tire crawls, wooded trails, steep hills, pea-gravel climbs, hood deep water crossings, and many off camber challenges that are sure to put your ATV or UTV to the test. This park will test your ability and driving skill all day long. If you want to stay for more than just a day, there are primitive campsites at the park for you and your family to enjoy a full weekend at the park.

• Distance 21-Mile Loop
• Skill Level All
• Trailhead Indian River, Mich.

Indian River ATV Trail

Popular with off-road vehicles and snowmobiles alike, this park is located right in the middle of the state in between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Indian River ATV Trail has a 21-mile loop for all off-roaders to enjoy. With a mostly smooth and flat trail riding atmosphere, the trails are tailor made for the new off-roaders who want to enjoy time on the trail with their friends and family. With its close proximity to the town, this trail system has plenty of camping and lodging options close by.

• Distance 100 Miles
• Skill Level All
• Trailhead Drummond Island

Turtle Ridge ORV Park

Have you ever wanted to ride on an island that you have to ferry your machines to?! Now is your chance as Turtle Ridge ORV Park is only accessible via a ferry boat. Yes, you can even put your RV on the ferryboat because there are RV hookups on the island, along with boat docks, restaurants, other campgrounds, and open hangout areas. The off-road trails on this island are open mid-May to November and include rocky sections, water crossings, and two track trails. Pack your things as you'll only have access to the necessities on the island, and make sure you're ready for a great time!

• Size N/A
• Skill Level All
• Trailhead Mount Morris, Mich.

Mounds ORV Park

Celebrating over 45 years of being one of the premier off-road destinations in the state of Michigan, Mounds ORV Park is open every day and ready for you to challenge your driving technique on the scramble trails, sand pits, rugged trails, and, of course, the mud holes. Nearby Wolverine Campground allows you to camp within close proximity of the park. Before you head over to this park, make sure you are in the "allowed" time of year for off-road vehicles - seasonal closures apply to ATVs and UTVs. If you forget anything on your journey to the park, the nearby city of Mount Morris has everything you need to make your stay and trail adventures fun.

• Size 450 Acres
• Skill Level All
• Trailhead Mears, Mich.

Silver Lake State Park ORV Area

Encompassing more than 2,000 acres total, Silver Lake State Park is a duner's paradise located right on the shores of Lake Michigan. Not all of those 2,000 acres are open to riding, though - only about 450 acres are open to off-road recreation. However, the open area is great for duning in the area and is open to all types of vehicles. The open season runs from April 1 to October 31, and you can expect the park to be busy with your off-road family on weekends and holidays. In case you need parts or other supplies, there are dealers and suppliers near the riding area.

• Distance 200 Miles+
• Skill Level All
• Trailhead Multiple, but a great staging area is Club 37 on U.S. 37 near Peacock, Michigan

Baldwin Trails Area

Michigan is a trail rider’s paradise with literally thousands of miles of public-use trails. There are several trail systems that make up the Baldwin-area trails, but we’re lumping them all together as they can be accessed from each other. These trails are a mix of wooded trails, and open areas, with a lot of sand and some hardpack. There are multiple restaurants and gas stations along the way that you can ride up to, and a full-line dealership, Peacock, LTD. that can be accessed from the trails as well. Michigan ORV and ORV trail permits are required and speed limits are enforced along country roads, which are 25mph for all ORVs.

• Distance 25 miles+
• Skill Level Any
• Trailhead Baraga, Michigan

Baraga State Park

Saying that the Baraga trails are only 25 miles long is a little incorrect in that there are 25 miles of ORV trails within the park itself, but those trails connect to hundreds of miles of additional ORV trails in the area. Baraga Park sits along the shore of the Keweenaw Bay of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. This is one of the few Michigan state parks that allows direct ORV access from the campsite to the trails, making it a draw for riders. Michigan has over 4,000 miles of ATV trails across the state and you’ll find that most towns are very ATV friendly. The Upper Peninsula is a must-see destination and these trails are a great way to explore it.