Off-road vehicle enthusiasts, you’ll get to ride thousands of miles of Michigan trails for free this weekend, including many newly reopened after spring ice storms.
Officials have made significant progress amid ongoing post-ice storm restoration efforts at state parks and areas in northern Michigan, according to the latest Michigan Department of Natural Resources update. This includes reopening 65% of trails damaged in the region.
The announcement comes ahead of the next Free ORV Weekend, set to run Aug. 16-17. The event provides a chance to ride your off-road vehicle on Michigan’s 4,000-plus of miles of trails, routes and scramble areas without a license or permit.
Here’s what to know about ORV trails in Michigan.
Where are state parks, trails reopened?
The DNR reports continued ice storm cleanup in northern Michigan, with all but one of the impacted state parks, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds now reopened. Officials have reopened 65% of motorized and nonmotorized DNR trails, with 35% still closed, the department says.
Restoration work included DNR staff, partner trail groups and volunteers, per the DNR.
An online DNR dashboard provides a closer look at the status of reopenings across the region.
Why were state parks, trails closed?
Devastating March 28-30 ice storms damaged state parks, trails and campgrounds, prompting closures in recent months amid recovery efforts.
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, the DNR says.
When is Free ORV Weekend?
Free ORV Weekend will take place Aug. 16-17, 2025.
What is Free ORV Weekend?
The DNR offers a 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.
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.
The Detroit Free Press contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: State reopens most trails from ice storm damage. Where to ride on Free ORV Weekend
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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