Michigan’s second Off-Road Vehicle weekend of the year is coming up, offering enthusiasts a two-day opportunity to use state trails and other areas at no cost.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will roll out its second Free Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Weekend of 2025, opening thousands of miles of state trails and areas to off-road vehicle traffic from Aug. 16-17.
Here’s what to know.
When is Free ORV Weekend?
Free ORV Weekend will take place Aug. 16-17, 2025.
What is Free ORV Weekend?
The DNR offers Free Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Weekend twice a year, allowing people to ride the state’s trails, routes and scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or a trail permit, according to the DNR’s website. Both Michigan residents and visitors from out of state can participate.
If you’d like to take part in the free opportunity, you’ll need your own off-road vehicle. Other off-road vehicle rules and laws in Michigan still apply.
Where are Michigan’s ORV trails?
Michigan is home to more than 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and routes and six scramble areas across the state, the DNR says.
How much do ORV licenses, permits cost?
An ORV license costs $26.25 the rest of the year. You’ll need the license to ride eligible county roads, frozen surface of public waters, state forest roads that are open to ORV use and eligible national forest roads in Michigan, the DNR said.
If you plan to ride on state-designated ORV trails and scramble areas, you’ll also need a $10 ORV trail permit, the DNR says.
You can buy an ORV license and trail permit online or in-person at DNR license agents and dealers.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan has more than 4,000 miles of ORV trails. How to ride them for free
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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