West Michigan Guides Photo
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.
Pere Marquette River, with it’s moderately fast current and clear water, is an extremely popular river for canoeists and kayakers.
No matter how you camp, you’ll find a West Michigan campground nearby that has everything you need to make your vacation stress-free and fun.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.
The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.
Visit the new Value of Sports Museum located at Historic White Pine Village just a short drive from Ludington.
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
The Annual Show of the Western Michigan Old Engine Club is held the first weekend of August at Scottville’s Riverside Park.
Is your business located in West Michigan? If so, let us help you spread the word. Contact us today to learn more about advertising opportunities with WestMichiganGuides.com…and thank you!
