Riding ATVs in Michigan, or as the state refers to them as Off-Road Vehicle (ORV), is easy once you understand where they are allowed. The state of Michigan affords riders with four types of riding areas: motorcycle trails, all terrain vehicle (ATV) trails, ORV routes which are open to all Secretary of State licensed vehicles, and scramble areas. Five scramble areas exist, there are two on state forests (St. Helen's Motorsport Area and Black Lake Scramble Area), one at Silver Lake State Park, one at Bull Gap in the Huron National Forest, and one at The Mounds, a Genesee County Park. Pay attention to these areas when riding ATVs in Michigan.
When riding ATVs in Michigan it is good to know that 3,100 miles make up the off-road-vehicle (orv) trail and route system. State forests make up 73% of the system, while 40% is cycle trail, 43% is ATV trail and 17% is route.
Another good thing to be aware of, The Lower Peninsula is the only legal place to ride Non-Secretary of State licensed ORVs on public lands other than frozen waters. If you have never driven your ATV over frozen water before, make sure you have experienced ATVer with you that can show you the pointers as it is very dangerous and you must know how to identify thin ice and other hazards.
However, when riding ATVs in Michigan, 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. They do require that you have a permit for riding your ATV which is available from the Department of Motor Vehicles for a small fee. Some counties offer a discount on this permit if you take a safety course. The permits need to be renewed each year in order to legally drive your ATV over State managed lands.
