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Information on ORV Use in Michigan
There are over 3000 miles of designated ORV Trails in Michigan The use of Off Road Vehicles (ORV) is regulated in the State of Michigan. Operating an ORV on Michigan’s dedicated system of trails and routes is what this publication is designed to help with. Each page shows a portion of the trail system in vivid color to best aid you in safely and legally enjoying your motorized recreation in this great State. Each trail has been recorded with a Global Positioning System Receiver (GPS) to provide a very accurate representation of the trail. Trails change very infrequently, but always believe what is marked “on the ground” when the map differs. The map base of roads is current as of 2006 and differentiates between the various roads such as State/Federal Highways, County Roads, Forest Roads and Private Roads. Public land is shown in detail to the 40 acre parcel level. Off Road Vehicles describes many different vehicle types. Motorcycles, All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), Dune Buggies, Recreational Utility Vehicles (RUV) and 4x4 Pickups are all types of ORVs. Some of these vehicles can be licensed by the Secretary of State to enable their use on public roads and highways, as with the family passenger car. To use an ORV on Public land, it must be licensed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This license is commonly referred to as an “ORV Sticker”. ORV stickers can be obtained from most sporting goods stores as well as online from the DNR’s website at michigan.gov/dnr for $16.25 each. ORVs must also have an USFS approved spark arrestor and not exceed the 94db sound limit. Most competition motorcycles and ATVs do not meet these requirements, similarly most trail or utility oriented bikes and ATVs do meet or exceed them. ORV operators must wear a helmet and protective eye ware. It’s highly recommended that you “dress for the crash, not for the ride” which basically means wear as much protective gear as is reasonable in addition to the minimum helmet & goggles. There are age restrictions for certain types of ORVs which mainly deal with ATVs (three and four wheelers). Basically, all riders under age 16 must take an ORV Safety Course before they may operate an ORV. No riders under age 12 on an ATV. No three wheelers unless they are over 16. Similar restrictions are not placed on motorcycles or large ORVs (dune buggies, etc.). Michigan law prohibits the operation of ORVs on public roads. Some counties have enacted local ordinances that allow ORVs to operate on county roads, usually road shoulders, at limited speeds to access trails and local services like gas and food. State & Federal highways are not open to ORVs. This includes all “M” roads like “M 33” and “M 28” in addition to Federal highways like “US 2”. Use of ORVs on public lands including forest roads and trails is also regulated. If a car can traverse the path, it’s considered a road. If an ATV less than fifty inches wide can traverse the path, it’s considered a trail. Certain trails on both State and USFS managed land are open to Motorcycles only, while other trails are open to both ATVs and Motorcycles. These trails are differentiated as such in this map book. During the firearm deer season, November 15th - 30th, operation of ORVs is restricted on State land. Technically, ORVs can be ridden from 11AM to 2PM and from 5PM to 7AM. However, it is best to not ride your ORV for these two weeks. In the lower peninsula ORVs may only be operated on designated roads and trails. These are marked with orange triangles and are either ORV Trail or ORV Route. Riding on unmarked roads and trails is illegal. In the upper peninsula ORVs may be ridden on forest roads in addition to designated ORV trails. Trails must be marked with ORV triangles, however roads on State land are open unless posted closed to ORVs. Use of ORVs on United States Forest Service (USFS) land is generally similar to that of State-owned land in Michigan. In the lower peninsula, ORVs are restricted to designated trails and roads, those that have orange triangles marked along them. In the upper peninsula ORVs are allowed on designated ORV trails marked with orange triangles. They are also allowed on roads designated as open on that Forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map. Not all roads are open to ORVs on USFS land and there are no ground markers/signs that designate the open roads. Areas covered by the USFS in this map have their road classification updated to match the USFS's MVUM as of the date of publication. |
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Information about this page Information regarding ORV use in Michigan Trail Guide at a glance Big Picture of trail locations Map Book Information GPS Map Information
Michigan DNR ORV Information Michigan's ORV Handbook USFS Hiawatha District USFS Huron - Manistee District USFS Ottawa Distric |
