Michigan Off-Road Trails

If you were in a desert dying of thirst and found water, you would call it an oasis. If you live in one of the major metro areas of the Great Lakes and found a place to go wheel, you would call it Holly Oaks! Just north of Detroit, Holly Oaks provides a wide range of 4x4 opportunities from mild to wild. The Lower Main Loop is perfect for everyone because you can keep it mellow or tackle Mt. Magna! While you are at it, check in to earn your Jeep Badge of Honor!

Lake Michigan has the largest deposit of freshwater coastal sand dunes. At Silver Lake Sand Dunes, you can drive on them! The area for driving covers 450 of the 2,000-acre stretch of dunes sandwiched between its namesake, Silver Lake, and Lake Michigan. Two steep dunes are separated by a more gentle landscape that allows you to pick your adrenaline threshold, ranging from a quick and easy stroll to Lake Michigan or pointing your vehicle straight up with a rooster tail of sand spinning out the back. Grab the tow strap and give it a try!

Winding its way along the eastern shoreline of Drummond Island, Marblehead Road is a perfect taste of all the trails here. While driving through the dense forest there are deep muddy puddles, a few small rock obstacles, and then “The Steps at Marblehead” right before reaching the lookout. This is the only named obstacle and requires a good vehicle and driver to get down and back up. Marblehead sits a little over 100’ feet above the water and the limestone that makes up most of the island is exposed here, creating drama along this shoreline. This limestone is part of what’s known as the Niagara Escarpment, a natural rock formation that stretches for over 900 miles and is actually part of Niagara Falls. Do not miss the Steps at Marblehead or this trail in general, it really is a gem within the trail system.

Crisscrossed with old mining roads and extreme terrain features ranging from mud flats to 40-foot vertical cliffs, the North 60 is the newest addition to Holly Oaks ORV Park. Located just north of Detroit, Holly Oaks provides a wide range of 4x4 opportunities from mild to wild. The North 60 is considered a "scramble area" where riders are free to make their own paths. While you are gathering the courage to conquer something never attempted before, make sure to check in and earn your Jeep Badge of Honor!

Carved out of the northwest lower peninsula of Michigan is the 17.4-mile Tin Cup Springs ORV trail. Located in the Cadillac State Forest, this scenic sandy loop has dense white oak forests, fragrant stands of various pine trees, and ferns that blanket the forest floor. 

This well-marked, two-way trail is open to all types of offroad vehicles with a valid Michigan ORV license and trail permit. The single-track Tin Cup Springs Motorcycle trail crisscrosses the ORV trail at several points.

The trail is primarily sand with hard-packed dirt in a few stretches. Airing down tires is wise on this trail. Areas with almost bottomless sand would be difficult for a two-wheel drive vehicle, especially in on inclines. 

There aren’t any established campsites along Tin Cup Springs, but multiple unnamed trails throughout the State Forest have spots for camping.

Parking lot with restroom - 43.96169, -85.72108

In the middle of the Drummond Island trail system is the mild to moderate Sheep Ranch Trail. This trail is one of the main routes through the island and has long water crossings to get your tires and maybe your doors wet and muddy. The dense forest road has a number of rocky sections to keep things interesting for new and experienced drivers alike. Nevenen's Road, Sheep Ranch Trail, and Glen Cove Road make for a full day of mild offroading on Drummond.