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The Top 9 ATV and UTV Trails in Michigan

By Breanna Broad | Behind The Wheel on September 6, 2021
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We’re back at it again with finding the best trails in Michigan! An interesting thing about this state is that their left turns often confuse people who aren’t from there. You have to take a right turn and then do a U-turn to get back in the right direction. It doesn’t make any sense. But do you know what does make sense? Ripping your UTV or ATV through the trails that leave you with breathtaking views.

It’s no secret that Michigan is known as the Great Lakes State. It gives you everything you want for an off-road trip. There are plenty of lakes that are friendly toward your OHV and sand that can be shredded by your tires. Cooling off in the lake sounds like a smart idea after sweating around hot engines all day. Then there’s more than enough traditional UTV trails in Michigan to keep you busy.

Now, let’s check out the best riding spots. These UTV trails in Michigan are in no particular order and can give you the ride of your life.

NOTE: Park details and prices reflect what was current as of June 2021. While most trails are free to access, an ORV trail permit ($10) may be required.

1. Baraga State Park

  • Location: Watton, MI
  • Size: 28 miles of trails
  • Style: Trees, dirt, mud
  • Machines: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles (nothing wider than 50”)
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Cost: $16.25/rider
4 wheelers riding on gravel road
Photo by Michigan Department of Natural Resources

2. Bull Gap State Park

  • Location: Mio, MI
  • Size: 115 miles of trails
  • Style: Tress, sand, steep hills
  • Machines: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles (nothing wider than 50”) (4x4s and dune buggies allowed on designated trails)
  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: Free
Dirtbike riding on dirt trail
Photo by Alchetron

3. Haywire Grade Trail

  • Location: Manistique, MI
  • Size: 32 miles of trails
  • Style: Trees, sand
  • Machines: ATVs
  • Experience Level: All
  • Cost: Free
Trail in woods
Photo by Michigan RV and Campgrounds

4. Kalkaska Trail

  • Location: Bear Lake Township, MI
  • Size: 149.7 miles of trails
  • Style: Sand, hills, rocks
  • Machines: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, 4x4s, dune buggies
  • Experience Level: All
  • Cost: Free
Trail in woods
Photo by AllTrails

5. Little Manistee Trails

  • Location: Baldwin, MI
  • Size: 90 miles of trails
  • Style: Trees, dirt
  • Machines: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, 4x4s, dune buggies (nothing wider than 72”)
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Cost: Free
4 wheeler riding on dirt trail
Photo by Lake County Trails

6. Little O Trail

  • Location: Baldwin, MI
  • Size: 41 miles of trails
  • Style: Trees, dirt
  • Machines: ATVS, UTVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles (nothing wider than 50”)
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Cost: Free
Trail in woods in spring
Photo by Victoria Gensch

7. Silver Lake State Park

  • Location: Mears, MI
  • Size: 450 acres
  • Style: Trees, sand, steep hills
  • Machines: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, 4x4s, dune buggies
  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: $17/vehicle
4 wheelers riding on sand dune
Photo by Silver Lake Resort and Campground

8. St. Helen Motorsport Area

  • Location: St. Helen, MI
  • Size: 50 miles of trails
  • Style: Trees, sand, dirt
  • Machines: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, 4x4s, dune buggies (nothing wider than 72”)
  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: Free
Aerial view of side by side triding rail in woods
Photo by CaptainYodelstein

9. Tin Cup Spring OHV Trails

  • Location: Reed City, MI
  • Size: 37 miles of trails
  • Style: Trees, dirt
  • Machines: ATVs, UTV, dirt bikes, motorcycles, 4x4s (nothing wider than 72”)
  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • Cost: Free
woods
Photo by VVMapping

Even though OHVs aren’t allowed on regular roads unless special conditions are met, there’s still a ton of UTV trails in Michigan that can satisfy your riding needs. We’d love to name every single one, but sadly, no one has time for that.

But that’s why trail riding is full of incredible possibilities. And they’re not all in Michigan! To see more of what’s out there, check out some of the top riding spots in the US.

Did you see any UTV trails in Michigan that interested you? Tell us where you plan on going for your next off-road adventure. If you haven’t found it yet, keep a look out for the next state we cover because it could be calling your name.

RELATED CONTENT: riding spots33 trails31
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3 Comments

  1. Avatar for Rupert W Herzog Jr. Rupert W Herzog Jr. says:
    September 27, 2021 at 10:14 am

    Even though all these trails are “free”, they are not. A trail permit is required but the fee is nominal and good for 6 months.

    Reply
    • Megan Randall says:
      September 27, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      Hey Rupert! You make a good point. We’ve added a link to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website so readers know where to buy a permit. Thank you!

      Reply
    • Avatar for Dennis Dennis says:
      July 20, 2022 at 11:32 am

      Permits are good for a year. Better also get the vehicle permit at $36 a year for non resident. Many of the staging areas require it. You can order all online, just give yourself at least 21 days to get by mail.
      No resident for ATV trail stickers was $26.50 each. I order ours every April for our truck and machines.
      I do not know if dirt bikes are different costs or trucks/jeeps for the trail passes. We no longer take take the jeep out in Michigan due to it being mostly sugar sand. It tears the hell out of shocks, rotors and brakes.
      It also does a number on air filters on all machines, so keep that in mind.
      Another great trail system not listed is Grayling Michigan. You can ride for days in the area and get it world renowned fly fishing for trout and soon Atlantic grayling as they are reintroducing the grayling subspecies back into the waters.
      Early June is best for ATV and fishing due to weather and the spinner hatch.

      Reply

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