Michigan is a state that is full of natural beauty, and one of the best ways to explore it is with an ATV as it is home to numerous trails that are perfect for those types of vehicles. Here are some of the top Great Lakes State trails to consider.
Cedar Creek Trail
Cedar Creek Trail, which is located just northeast of Muskegon, contains 24 sandy miles of pathways in two loops and incorporates a couple of bridges. It is not a challenging trail to traverse, so it is great for new ATV operators.
Tin Cup Spring ORV Trails
Tin Cup Spring ORV Trails, which are situated just north of Big Rapids, consist of 37 miles of smooth dirt trails amidst a forest setting. Eighteen of those are designed for ORVs with the other 19 better suited for motorcycles.
St. Helen Motorsport Area
Fifty miles of sandy trails may be traversed in an ATV at St. Helen Motorsport Area. They provide an intriguing challenge, consisting of numerous hills and six obstacle courses, which include pipes and boulders to navigate over and around. This area is located a little more than an hour north of Mount Pleasant and Midland.
Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground
Also a short drive north of Midland and Mount Pleasant is Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground, where you can take your ATV along 9 miles of trails as well as step outside of your ATV and enjoy its boating and fishing opportunities.
Silver Lake State Park
Located along Lake Michigan 30 miles south of Ludington is Silver Lake State Park. In its 400 acres that are designed for ORVs, you can take your ATV on sand dunes and traverse steep hills. The park as a whole consists of 2,000 acres and offers camping opportunities amidst beautiful views of the lake.
Little O Trail
Little O Trail, which is 30 miles northwest of Big Rapids, offers 41 miles of smooth dirt-covered trails in a tree-lined setting to traverse. It is more of a beginner option or one in which experienced drivers are looking for more of a relaxed experience.
Little Manistee Trails
Little Manistee Trails, which is also 30 miles northwest of Big Rapids and is also more of an activity for beginners and others looking for more relaxed times, provide 47 miles of trails for 4x4 vehicles with another 46 miles for motorcyclists. Elevation changes here are moderate.
Holly Oaks ORV Park
Holly Oaks ORV Park is one of the more conveniently situated options on this list for those located in the Detroit metropolitan area as it is between there and Flint. Here, you can drive along a variety of terrain and trails, through gravel and sand pits and around boulders and rock slabs. A new clay track is planned.
Kalkaska Trail
In the Cadillac area is Kalkaska Trail. With this option, you get to enjoy 150 miles of sandy trails that offer easy, moderate and difficult challenges. Hills and rocks can be part of your ATVing experience here.
Huron-Manistee National Forests
Also near Cadillac are the Huron-Manistee National Forests, which provide pathways to take your ATV in addition to the million acres of natural beauty and numerous camping areas that they offer their visitors.
Haywire Grade Trail
The Upper Peninsula is an especially beautiful part of the country, and one of the reasons for that is its Haywire Grade Trail, which is a 32-mile sandy trail that is set in a beautiful forest setting near Manistique. Those in all experience levels will be comfortable taking their ATVs on it.
Bull Gap Trail System
About an hour and a half north of Saginaw is the Bull Gap Trail System, which is part of the Huron National Forest. Although most of its more than 170 miles of trails are not open to ATVs that are more than 50 inches wide, its hill climb area is, and all of it is open to ATVs smaller than that.
Ogemaw Sports and Trail Center
A little more than an hour north of Saginaw is the Ogemaw Sports and Trail Center. Here, you can access 175 acres of trails that have been designed for ATVs as well as dirt bikes. Included are challenging hill climbs while campsites and shower and restroom facilities are on site as well.
Baraga Plains ATV Trail
Baraga Plains ATV Trail, which is in the Upper Peninsula's Baraga State Park 30 miles south of Houghton, offers a 28-mile loop course. However, do note that ATVs must be 50 inches wide or smaller in order to be taken here, and keep in mind that this is a two-direction course.
Bundy Hill Offroad Park
Bundy Hill Offroad Park, just south of Jackson, is a former mining area that offers a wide selection of ATV trails. These include easy pathways to navigate as well as more difficult ones that take you up steep hills and through deep water and mud pits. Note that ATV rentals are available here in the summer months.
Gladwin ORV Scramble Area
A short drive from Midland and Mount Pleasant is Gladwin ORV Scramble Area. Here, you can traverse 50 miles of sandy trails that are arranged in two long loops amongst rolling hills.
Indian River ATV Trail
Located in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, 30 miles south of Mackinaw City, is Indian River ATV Trail. It features a 21-mile loop that consists of both trails and roads.