Michigan is home to over 4,000 miles of state-designated off-road trails throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsula. Surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty, Michigan offers UTV, ATV, and ORV riders spectacular scenery of the Great Lakes region for their outdoor adventures. From the expansive forests of the Upper Peninsula to the hilly sand dunes of the Lower Peninsula, Michigan offers a diverse range of UTV trail options to riders of all levels. In this blog, we will explore the top 10 best UTV trails in the wonderful state of Michigan. Join us as we discover the great outdoors through UTV trails in Michigan.
What are the best UTV trails in Michigan for your next adventure? Some of the state’s top parks and trails include:
- Silver Lake State Park
- Tin Cup ORV
- Ottawa National Forest
- Baraga State Park
- Bull Gap Hill Climb
- Kalkaska Trail
- Black Mountain Trail System
- Twisted Trails Off Road Park
- Twin Lakes State Park
- Holly Oaks ORV Park
Whether you have been searching “off-road trails near me” or “Michigan ORV trails”, there are certainly options throughout the state. We have decided to make it easier for you to find the top trails and parks in Michigan. We have provided the location, difficulty level, and trail features for each park. We do recommend checking each park’s respective website for required permits, trail maps, and additional information. Let’s take a look at Halo Performance’s top 10 selected UTV trails in Michigan!
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Silver Lake State Park
Silver Lake State Park is a one-of-a-kind gem featuring 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 2,000 acres of sand dunes. The park features a 500-acre off-road vehicle scramble area that is the only sand dune riding location east of the Mississippi River. Riders can expect unbeatable Lake Michigan views on the trails with elevation changes of 80 to 100 feet. Whether you are looking for a day trip or a new UTV park location, Silver Lake State Park should be at the top of everyone’s list!
Location: 8969 W Fox Rd, Mears, MI 49436
Dates & Hours:
- April 1 – April 30 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- May 1 – Sept. 15 (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
- 16 – Oct. 31 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Difficulty Level: All levels
Required Permits:
Website: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=493
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Tin Cup Spring ORV
Tin Cup Spring ORV trail is located in the Pere Marquette State Forest. The trail offers two off-roading trail options for riders: one for motorcycles only and the other for off-highway vehicles. The motorcycle trail loop extends 20 miles while the OHV trail loop extends about 18.7 miles. Both separate trails offer riders a beautiful forest view with an exciting 1,161 ft elevation gain. If you have a variety of riders in your group, Tin Cup Spring has a trail for everyone!
Location: Kings Hwy, Luther, MI 49656
Dates & Hours: Open Year-Round / no overnight parking
Difficulty Level: Moderately Challenging
Required Permits:
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Ottawa National Forest
Ottawa National Forest is located in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Riders can expect to see beautiful waterfalls, wildlife, and tons of forest! The forest has over 2,300 miles of Forest Service road and features OHV-identified trails and routes. The roads and trails that are permitted to use by OHV are marked on a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). This free map displays which routes and paths are available for UTVs, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.
Location: E6248 US 2 E, Ironwood, Mi 49938
Dates & Hours: “Seasonal” / Open from May 16th – March 14th annually
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Required Permits:
- Michigan ORV License and Trail Permit
- Ottawa National Forest – Recreation Passes & Permits (usda.gov)
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ottawa/recreation/ohv
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Baraga State Park
Baraga State Park is another one of Michigan’s beautiful western Upper Peninsula destinations. Located on Lake Superior’s scenic Keweenaw Bay, Baraga State Park is connected to the Twin Lakes, Bewabic State Parks, and Bond Falls Scenic Site by motorized routes. This park is one of the few ORV-friendly state parks and campgrounds in Michigan. If you are looking to take a weekend to explore the great outdoors, you will certainly want to check out Baraga State Park!
Location: 1300 US-41 South, Baraga MI, 49908
Dates & Hours: Open Year Round
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Required Permits:
Website: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=408&type=SPRK
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Bull Gap Hill Climb
The Bull Gap Hill Climb is a 60-acre sandy hill climb located in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Riders can expect the hill to be at a 35 – 40% grade. This is an exciting change of terrain for those who are wanting to try riding a different course. The Bull Gap Hill Climb is a part of the expansive Bull Gap Trail System. There are ATV trails open to dirt bikes, trail bikes, ATV, UTV, SxS, Quad, and SUV riders. For those who like variety and options, the Bull Gap Hill Climb and Trail System is totally worth it!
Location: Mio, MI 48647
Dates & Hours: May 15 – November 30 | 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Difficulty Level: Moderately Challenging
Required Permits:
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18948
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Kalkaska Trails
The Kalkaska Trail System has over 100 miles worth of trails in the county! With sand, rocks, and hills throughout the trails, the Kalkaska Trail brings an exciting variety to its map! It is important to note that the ORV trails are open only to off-road vehicles with up to 50” in width. That being said, riders will want to keep an extra good eye out on the trail to ensure no collisions with other riders or wildlife. This exciting course is definitely one you will want to try out!
Location: Grayling Township, MI 49738
Dates & Hours: Year Round | Hours not listed
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Required Permits:
Website: http://www.upnorthtrails.org/trails/kalkaska-route.html
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Black Mountain Trail System
The Black Mountain Trail System offers off-road riders over 60 miles of marked trails, roads, and a scramble area. From the maze of woods and forest trees to the variety of marked trails for UTV riders, the Black Mountain Trail System allows UTV enthusiasts to venture on their own. Riders can take advantage of the recreation area for additional activities on their visit. This unique trail system has something to offer to every adventurer!
Location: 151-012-100-002-00, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Dates & Hours: Year Round | Open 24 hours
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Required Permits:
Website: https://cheboygantrailways.com/black-lake-trail-system
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Twisted Trails Off-Road Park
While state parks are great for new scenery, there’s something else about going to an actual off-road park. From the mud bog and rock crawling to trail rides with a UTV community, Twisted Trails Off Road Park knows exactly how to deliver that excitement! Twisted Trails Off Road Park is the largest privately owned UTV park in the state of Michigan! The park has 400 acres of trails and wild rides for riders of all skill levels. This is the perfect off-road park to bring your fellow UTV riders!
Location: 19405 Read Road, Copemish, Michigan 49625
Dates & Hours:
- May – October
- Open 7 days a week: 10 AM– 6 PM
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Required Permits:
Website: https://twistedtrailsoffroadpark.com/
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Twin Lakes State Park
The Twin Lakes State Park is one of the few UTV / ATV / ORV-friendly state parks in Michigan. The park not only has a wide variety of UTV trails but allows UTV riders to drive to and from the park. Many riders opt to stay at the 175-acre Twin Lakes Campground and then will take on the Bill Nicholls Trail. The Bill Nicholls trail offers exceptional views of the forest, wildlife, and an old copper mine. For 41 miles, riders can follow along the old route of the Copper Range Railroad!
Location: 6204 E. Poyhonen Road, Toivola, MI 49965
Dates & Hours:
- May – October
- 7 AM to Dusk
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Required Permits:
Website: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=429&type=SPRK
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Holly Oaks ORV Park
We saved the best for last! The Holly Oaks ORV Park is designed for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies! The park showcases extreme terrain ranges and a scramble area for all riders to experience! From mud flats to 40’ vertical cliffs, the Holly Oaks ORV Park lets every rider have fun. The park is open to all types of ORVs like UTVs, ATVs, full-sized vehicles, and motorcycles! You won’t want to miss out on this epic park!
Location: 14551 Shields Road, Holly, MI 48442
Dates & Hours: Seasonal Hours; see schedule here
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Required Permits:
- Recreation Passport
- Michigan ORV License and Trail Permit
- All vehicles must have a dune-style flag.
Website: https://www.oakgov.com/parks/parksandtrails/holly-oaks-orv-park/Pages/default.aspx
Map of Michigan UTV Trails
Best Michigan ATV / UTV / ORV Resources:
- Where to ride ORVs (michigan.gov)
- ORV/ATV Riding | Michigan
- Michigan ORV Printed Maps – VVMapping.com
- https://mi-trale.org/atv-orv/maps/
Enhance Your UTV Experience at Halo Performance
Based in Odessa, Florida, Halo Lockers is the UTV division of OX Off-Road. OX has been producing selectable lockers and off-road-related parts for over 2 decades. Exceptional quality and product strength define our UTV products and accessories. Our products are proudly made in the USA – as opposed to China. We only use the best materials, manufacturing, and metallurgical processes. When you call us to discuss upgrading your side-by-side vehicle, you are going to talk with a UTV expert. Please call 727-230-7803 with any product questions or for assistance with the ordering process. Allow us to take your side-by-side vehicle to new heights in 2023.
