OFF ROAD
ATVs, ORVs, OHVs
When you’re ready to hit the trails in your ATV, ORV, or OHV (off- highway vehicle), make St. Ignace your home base. With nearby access to some of the best trails in the Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace is perfectly positioned for off-road adventures. From Drummond Island on the east end to Curtis at the west end of Mackinac County, you’ll find hundreds of miles of state- designated trails, scramble areas, and eligible county, state forest, and national forest roads to explore.
Michigan DNR
The Michigan DNR holds two Free ORV Weekends every year – one in June and another one in August. Residents and out-of-state visitors can legally 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. The 2025 dates are June
7-8 and August 16-17. St. Ignace also plays host to several ORV and OHV events every year including the Jeep the Yoop! event May 9-10, and Trek the Mighty Mac, September 19-20.
Licenses and trail permits
An ORV license and trail permit are required for drivers and their vehicles to ride eligible trails in Michigan.
For information about where to purchase licenses and trail permits, visit the DNR website at https:// www.michigan.gov/dnr/things- to-do/orv-riding. You may also get interactive ORV trail and route maps, PDF maps, and GPX files at the website above.
SNOWMOBILING
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has a vast network of snowmobile trails that crisscross the peninsula through state, federal, and private lands and offer scenic views of the Great Lakes, inland lakes, waterfalls, and even lighthouses! State-designated snowmobile trails are open December 1 through March 31, weather permitting.
Trail permits
Some of the trails are shared- use trails and/or have easements across private property. Trails that cross private property revert to private property after March 31 and are not open to ORV use. When there is enough snow, grooming is performed on the trails with many local snowmobile clubs helping to maintain them. Snowmobile trail permits are required and may be purchased online from Michigan Department of Natural Resources License Agents and dealers. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/
snowmobiling for more information and to purchase permits. Interactive and PDF snowmobile trail maps are also available.
Several snowmobile-related events are held in the St. Ignace area for snowmobile enthusiasts. The Michigan DNR also hosts a Free Snowmobiling Weekend every February when the public can ride their snowmobiles without the requirement of a snowmobile registration or trail permit.
Where to Park in St. Ignace for Off-road Enthusiasts and Snowmobilers
Overnight parking is available for off-road enthusiasts and snowmobilers at the trail head in downtown St. Ignace across the street from Little Bear East Arena and Community Center on Marquette Street. Cost is $10 per day for overnight use. Users of the lot will find a parking pay station on site.
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