NORTHERN MICHIGAN – Thrilling ORV rides, outdoor exploring, rewarding mushroom hunts and other outdoor adventures are waiting down one of Michigan’s thousands of miles of state forest roads. The DNR annually updates maps of these state forest roads and notifies the public of any changes. Updates are made to improve accuracy and protect the environment. New maps will be available online at Michigan.gov/ForestRoads April 1 in an interactive web format and as printable PDF maps.
Maps are updated each year based on considerations that include changing road conditions, data cleanup and input received from the public. Maps show where state forest roads are open or closed to off-road vehicle use and which roads are only open to conventional vehicles. It’s important to stay on these roads when using motor vehicles to reduce erosion and damage to wildlife habitat.
The following mileages will be open to ORVs starting April 1:
- In the Upper Peninsula, about 5,498 miles – roughly 98% of the total 5,594 miles.
- In the northern Lower Peninsula, about 6,205 miles – roughly 85% of the total 7,317.2 miles.
- In the southern Lower Peninsula, more than 9 miles – roughly 2.5% of the total 370.9 miles.
New this year is a trial opening to ORV use of nearly 95 miles of forest roads located within the Camp Grayling training area in Crawford County. The roads, located on 16,000 acres of state forest lands leased from the DNR for military training, are north of County Road 612 near the city of Grayling. The forest roads will be open to the public when not in use for military training. When the area is used for training activities, roads will be gated off for public safety. Notice will be posted on the Camp Grayling Facebook page and shared on local radio stations.
Review ORV rules, regulations, closures and more at Michigan.gov/ORVInfo. Find updated maps and other information at Michigan.gov/ForestRoads.
Questions? Contact Jason Caron, 906-235-4361.
