If you chose Michigan for four-wheeling and other nature trips, you picked a good place. Michigan features thousands of miles of freshwater coastline, farms, large cities, campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, skiing, and 19 million acres of forest. You have a whole playground for fishing, hunting, four-wheeling and just having a lot of fun. Must-see places include Isle Royale National Park, Mackinac Island, the forests of the Upper Peninsula and the lakes. Off road trails in Michigan often includes sand dunes and lakes.
Quick Navigation
Silver Lake Sand Dunes OHV Loop
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Distance: 2.8 mi
Elevation: 278 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This trail is a 2.8-mile loop through the sand dunes near Mears, Michigan. Hikers are not allowed on the trail, and you need a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter the trail. Make sure you let some air pressure out of your vehicle’s tires. You can see scenic views of the lake over the dunes. You can also access the lake via a walking trail just down from the entrance to the OHV trail. Part of the trail also goes through the woods.
The sand dunes are between Lake Michigan and Silver Lake and are high. There are places you can ride up and down the dunes. If you don’t have your own ATV, you can rent one in Mears. When you want to take a break from the noise of ATVs, you can take a horseback shoreline ride for some great views and photo opportunities.
Starting and Ending Points
Enter the trail at the end of West Fox Road in Mears.
Obstacles on the Trail
Deep sand.
Bundy Hill Off Road
Difficulty Level: Easy to Difficult
Distance: 300 acres of trails
Elevation: Unknown
Seasonality: Summer and fall with specific hours for each season (check website for changing hours, link below)
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This park contains several off roading trails that range from easy to difficult. Green trails have dirt, sand, loose rock, gulches and rock steps. You need four-wheel drive and good ground clearance.
Blue trails have dirt, loose rock, slick surfaces, erosion washes and rock steps. Black trails have trees, rocks, sand, steps higher than 24 inches, off-camber areas and sand. You need maximum ground clearance, locking devices for the front and rear, tall tires, and tow points. You should also have a winch and excellent driving skills. Your vehicle could suffer body damage, and there are areas where you could roll over.
If the black trails are not wild enough for you, try the red trails. However, you need a buggy! Your street 4×4 isn’t going to make it. You must have tow points, a winch, excellent driving skills, tools, and spare parts. Get ready to roll…. Over, that is.
Starting and Ending Points
9960 E. Chicago Road, Jerome, MI.
Obstacles on the Trail
Sand, washouts, off-camber, rollover risk, body damage.
Keweenaw Point to Schlatter Lake and High Rocks Bay
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 17.1 mi
Elevation: 1,250 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
The Keweenaw Point to Schlatter Lake and High Rocks Bay trails see moderate traffic. Located near Copper Harbor, this out and back trail features a lake. The trail is best from May through September. Since it is in Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, you will need a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter. You will also need four-wheel drive and good ground clearance. This can be a more difficult trail after it rains, as you’ll hit washouts and mud holes.
Copper Harbor also has many historical attractions, including mining, geological, cultural and nautical places to visit. You should also take some time to visit Isle Royale National Park to visit wildlife. The park was created in 1940 to preserve the second largest island in the Great Lakes. The island is 9 miles wide and 45 miles long. It is 55 miles from Copper Harbor across the lake, but if you have time to make the trip, it’s worth it for the hiking trails and backpacking.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail starts at the end of 41 east of Copper Harbor and ends at the Keweenaw Rocket Range on the lake.
Obstacles
Rocky areas, washouts, mud holes.
Bundy Hill OHV Trail
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 2.9 mi
Elevation: 236 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This trail sees light traffic and is near Jerome. While the trail is mostly for OHV, you might see some hikers. The trail goes partially around a lake and then beyond the lake. If you continue to the larger loop, you go around Jerome Pit. You might see wildlife and wildflowers and have excellent views of the lake.
Jerome has several hotels, golf courses, a trading post, campgrounds, lakes and plenty of shopping if you are planning on staying in the area and riding the trails.
Starting and Ending Points
This trail starts near the lake at coordinates 42.06204, -84.47298.
Obstacles on the Trail
None listed.
Bill Nichols Trail
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 41.4 mi
Elevation: 1,469 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
One of the best places to go off road vehicles in Michigan is the Bill Nichols Trail, a point-to-point road that sees moderate traffic. People can also ride horses on this trail, so watch for them! During the winter, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers also use the trail. You can also access the trail from several points along the way, which means you can also exit the trail for a bite to eat or some sightseeing. The trail is scenic and has small waterfalls, a creek, and a wooden bridge. The trail is a one-lane dirt road.
Houghton is a large city with many restaurants, hotels, shopping, and more. Before you hit the trail, spend a day or two in the city and visit the nature park, waterfront park, museums and play a game or three of laser tag.
McKeever is very small, so there isn’t much to do, but you can head out to some of the larger towns or take 38 over to the shore of Lake Superior to visit that area.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail map shows the starting point at Memorial Road in Houghton and ends on Rousseau Road in McKeever.
Obstacles on the Trail
None listed.
Cedar Creek OHV Trail
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 22.7 mi
Elevation: 1,049 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This loop trail features wildflowers, mountain views, two bridge crossings and creeks along flat and rolling terrain. Miles of trail run alongside Cedar Creek. South of the staging area is where you’ll find the hilliest section of the trail.
Twin Lake boasts the friendliest golf course in the United States if you have a mind to play a round. The town is small, but if you have time for some sightseeing, you can head over to the shores of Lake Michigan or head over to Muskegon for shopping, parks, places to eat and more.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail is a loop trail that starts and ends on Lindeman Road in Twin Lake.
Obstacles on the Trail
None listed.
Pine Ridge and Two Hearted OHV Trail
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 16.0 mi
Elevation: 413 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
One of the best off road trails in Michigan at the easy level is Pine Ridge and Two Hearted OHV trail. This lightly trafficked trail goes through the forest, and drivers with all skill levels will enjoy it.
Newberry is a trail town and boasts over 25 miles of equestrian trails. Before you leave the area, be sure to trade your four-wheel drive for a one-horsepower mode of transportation and take in more of the scenery you saw on the OHV trails. The area has over 658 miles of streams and rivers if you want to give your arms a workout and go kayaking. And, don’t forget to find time to visit the Two-Hearted river to see the second-largest waterfall east of the Mississippi (Niagra is the largest).
If you are visiting during the winter months, you’ll enjoy 200 miles of maintained snowmobile trails. And, if you’re staying a while, there are more OHV trails and new forest roads to explore. Finally, don’t forget the hiking. The area also has several hiking trails that are perfect for scouting wildlife and excellent views.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail starts and ends on Deer Park Road near Newberry.
Obstacles on the Trail
None listed.
Bundy Hill Off Road Service Road
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 2.2 mi
Elevation: 170 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This easy trail is great when you want a relaxing ride. The trail sees moderate traffic and is best from March through November. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Starting and Ending Points
This loop trail starts and ends on E. Chicago Road near Jerome.
Obstacles on the Trail
None listed.