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All terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off road vehicles (ORVs) are very popular activities with people of all ages, providing hours of entertainment. Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities- motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas. Throughout the state, you can ride on a route system that covers 3,200 miles, with over three-quarters on state forests. Most of these trails are lightly groomed, meaning that you may find obstacles such as stumps, loose surface, or rocks that could pose a danger.
In Mason County, permits can be obtained for ORVs in the townships of Sherman, Sheridan, Grant, Freesoil, Logan, Eden, Riverton, Victory, and Custer. Hamlin Township does not require an ORV permit, but you should be aware of the Hamlin Township ORV ordinance. In these townships, as well as Lake County, you can ride on the far right portion of the road that is maintained, but not on US or Michigan roads, such as US-10, M-116 and M-37. The majority of trails are found in Lake County throughout the Manistee National Forest. In the northern sections, most routes are between M-37 and North Kings Highway. In the southern part, they are between M-37 and South Kings Highway. These routes make it easy for neighbors to travel through the woods to visit one another–or for hunters to get to their camp.
47 miles in southern Lake County from M-37 to the West, 16th street to the South, and past 8 mile road to the North. This is for ORVs of all sizes.
46 miles in roughly the same location as the Little Manistee Route.
41 miles just North of Wolf Lake, which heads West and up to the northern section of Lake County.
In southern Lake County just East of South Kings Highway.
25 miles in northeastern Lake County.
23 miles in northern Lake County east of M-37.
Scottville Riverside Park, along the Pere Marquette River, has over 50 modern sites and is popular for camping and fishing.
West Michigan boasts numerous museums to learn about the area’s rich history and to expand knowledge through activities and exhibits.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.
Pere Marquette River, with it’s moderately fast current and clear water, is an extremely popular river for canoeists and kayakers.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
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