In the Upper Peninsula, it is legal for ORVs to operate on state forest
roads as well as the designated trail system, unless a specific state
forest road is posted closed to ORV use.
Trails are lightly groomed and riders are likely to encounter narrow
sand trails, rough moguls, steep hills, stumps, rocks, brush, loose
surfaces and other hazards.
Definitions which define where and how ORVs may be operated include:
"Forest road" Forest roads are hard surfaced roads, gravel and dirt roads, and other routes that can be traveled by a conventional 2-wheel drive vehicle designed for highway use (passenger car), including the lanes and logging roads. "Forest road" does NOT include any state, federal, or county highways or roads. In general, forest road means a road OTHER THAN A COUNTY OR STATE ROAD that the family car can operate on without assistance.
"Designated" means posted OPEN for ORV use with appropriate signs.
"Designated Route" means a forest or county road which has been signed for ORV use by the DNR. For ORVs of all sizes. Either ORV or SOS conventional licensing is required.
"Designated Area" means an area that is signed for cross-country ORV use by the DNR. ORV license is required.
"Forest Trail" Forest trails are designated paths or ways that can only be traveled by vehicles that are less than 50" in width. ORV license is required.
State Parks and State Recreation Areas, administered by the Parks and Recreation Division, with posted (signed) boundaries identifying them as such.
ORV operation is prohibited, except in designated areas of Silver Lake State Park.
State Game Areas, managed by Wildlife Division, with posted boundaries identify them;
ALL motorized vehicle operation is prohibited except on established roads open to the public. ORVs are specifically prohibited.
These are primarily found in the southern third of Michigan.
State Forest Lands, generally administered by Forest Management Division, boundaries not normally marked.
