ORV Riding

Manistique, Michigan area

Challenging trails for the off-road enthusiast can be found throughout the Manistique area, including the Haywire Grade Trail. Riding opportunities abound along abandoned railroad grades for a near straight jaunt. Hundreds of miles of scenic and historic trails are ready for today’s rider.

Schoolcraft County Motorized Trails Association

300 New Delta Ave - Manistique, Michigan 49854
Phone: (906) 341-4488

They maintain the trail system in their sector of the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The SCMTA strives to provide a medium for exchange of snowmobile and ORV information and to be the catalyst between government entities, businesses and snowmobilers and ORV enthusiasts.

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Schoolcraft County Forest Roads

Over 5,800 miles of roads in the Upper Peninsula open to ORV use

Ready to ride where there’s plenty of woods and no pavement to be seen? State forest roads are your gateway to outdoor adventure.

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Motor Vehicle Use Map

Hiawatha National Forest

Visitors to the Hiawatha National Forest will find a wide variety of roads and trails designated open for motorized use. In fact, over 2,000 miles of Forest Road are open for motorized use.

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Pure Michigan Trail

Haywire Grade Trail

Trail Length: 32 miles between Manistique and Shingleton

MANISTIQUE TRAILHEAD
Location: Intake Park Road - Manistique, Michigan (across from Manistique Pumping Station)

JACK PINE TRAILHEAD
Location: Jack Pine Lodge on M-94 (about half way between Manistique and Shingleton).

NORTHERN TRAILHEAD
Location: A sign marks the northern trailhead on the east side of M-94 just south of Shingleton. There is no parking, but spaces are available east of the Tanglewood Restaurant and Antique Shop on M-28 in Shingleton less than a quarter mile north of the trail.

The multiuse Haywire Grade Trail stretches 32 miles and crosses the Upper Peninsula, south to north, from Intake Park in Manistique to Shingleton in Schoolcraft and Alger counties. The trail was Michigan’s first rail trail. The trail runs along the old Manistique and Lake Superior Railroad and has since been reclassified as a year-round, multiuse trail – the first in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The trail surface is a mix of sand, gravel and coarse limestone, designed for snowmobiles and ATVs, but suitable for fat-tire biking. Mile markers help you track your progress through this secluded second growth forest. You’ll find a small grocery store in the tiny hamlet of Steuben, the last vestige of the many logging camps or towns that vanished after the railroad was abandoned.

The trail has been recognized as a Pure Michigan Designated Trail and designated as a heritage trail. The heritage trail project includes a series of 11 historical interpretive kiosks that explore the natural and cultural history of the area.

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ORVs within Manistique City Limits

ORVs are allowed, without a permit, on any ORV designated street or trail as indicated on the map. (GREEN) ORVs are not allowed on the highways or streets indicated on the map. (RED) City parks, natural areas and cemeteries are also closed to ORVS.

A visitor MAY be issued a permit by the Manistique Dept. of Public Safety to travel on a non-designated trail or street, providing that the individual meets the following requirements:

Must be 18 years old and possess an ORV safety certificate OR a valid driver's license.
If the operator is under the age of 18, they must possess a valid driver's license, or be under direct supervision of a parent or guardian and possess an ORV safety certificate.
Individuals 12 years of age and under MAY NOT operate an ORV within City limits.

RULES OF OPERATION - This list DOES NOT contain all the laws pertaining to the operation of an ORV within City limits. The complete ORV Ordinance is available at Manistique Public Safety or City Hall.

ORVs must be operated at a speed not to exceed 10mph.
ORVS may only operate between the hours of 6am and 11pm.
All operators and passengers must wear a helmet and protective eyewear.

ORVs must be operated on the extreme right-hand side of the roadway with the flow of traffic.
ORVs must come to a complete stop at right angles and before crossing any sidewalk, street or intersection.
ORVs must travel single file unless overtaking or passing another ORV.

ORVS must be operated in a way that is not careless or reckless, or in a way that endangers any person or property.
ORVs must have a lighted headlight and tailight at all times.
ORVs must use proper hand signals when making turns if not equipped with a mechanical turn signal.

City of Manistique Map

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Manistique Public Safety

300 North Maple Street
Manistique, Michigan 49854
Phone: (906) 341-2133

Manistique ORV Pamphlet

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Pure Michigan ORV Resources

Michigan has over 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails, scramble areas, (eligible) county, state forest and national forest roads, and frozen surfaces of public waters, making it a top destination for ORV riders of all levels.

Designated ORV trails and routes

Designated ORV route: any road that has been properly signed by the DNR for ORV use.

Designated ORV trail: a path or way capable of travel by a two- to four-wheel vehicle 50 inches wide or less, and properly signed by the DNR for ORV use.

There are three types of state-designated ORV routes/trails:
Motorcycle-only trails maintained at a 24" width.
ORV trails maintained at a 50" width.
ORV routes maintained at a 72" width.

ORV License and Trail Permit

Michigan

Learn the requirements for when you need to purchase an ORV license and an ORV trail permit. See a chart of requirements by vehicle type.

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ORV Regulations Handbook

Michigan

A comprehensive handbook defining ORV laws and regulations, age requirements, safety information, vehicle operation, riding instructions and more.

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Interactive Route & Trail Map

Michigan

Find designated ORV routes and trails, state-forest roads, closures, parking lots and more. This application contains a complex map.

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Taking place twice a year, Free ORV Weekend is a great time to see, experience and test out Michigan’s off-road vehicle trails. Residents and out-of-state visitors legally can ride Michigan's 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and routes and the state’s six scramble areas on two back-to-back days without an ORV license or trail permit.

This year's free weekends take place June 8-9 and Aug. 17-18, 2024.

See Other Outdoor Recreation Opportunities