Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Central Lake, Michigan

Cascade Road has beautiful terrain changes with small cliffs off the road that lead down to Cascade Creek. Easily traversed by all rig types with a solid and rocky dirt base. One vehicle wide in most spots, with places to pull off and pass. There are a couple of private landowners on both sides of t...
Learn more about Cascade Road

This trail is a dirt base that is one vehicle wide with places to pass. On one side, you will have beautiful dense forest, and on the other, you'll see the Jordan River wind through the woods next to you. This route can be traveled by any type of rig. Cell service is spotty, so offline maps would be...
Learn more about Pinney Bridge Road

Harvey Road is a dirt and rock-based trail that travels north and south. It's an out-and-back trail as shown on the map. There are other trails that people have taken further, but the map does show the road ends at a certain point. On the south side of the trail, you will be tucked into the woods un...
Learn more about Harvey Road

Very easy and scenic drive that provides quality views along the entire route. Most of this trail is one vehicle wide with places to pass. Most rigs will have no issue driving this route. Rainfall and snow can accumulate on the trail and cause mud and puddles. Offline maps will be a good idea throug...
Learn more about South Jordan River Road

This is a quick and easy two-lane dirt and gravel road that can be traveled by any rig. This trail leads to great views and some amazing hiking trails. At the end of this route, there are signs about the surrounding area with details about the nearby hiking trails. It also provides information about...
Learn more about Deadman Hill Road

This trail winds along the Jordan River and is one vehicle wide, with places to pass along this route. There are two large well well-kept bridges that cross over the Jordan River. This route has some of the best views in the area, providing ample places to see the surrounding wildlife and forest tha...
Learn more about Jordan River Road

Sand Lake Road is a single-lane dirt-and-sand route within the Gaylord Forest Management Unit. Suitable for highway-legal conventional vehicles under favorable conditions, it passes through pine and hardwood forests with opportunities to observe wildlife. Some sandy sections may be encountered along...
Learn more about Sand Lake Road

Starting off Romaniak Road, this old logging trail wastes no time getting interesting. A soft, sandy entrance quickly gives way to deep ruts and washed-out holes, many of which exceed 12 inches deep. The terrain becomes increasingly rugged as the trail winds through the woods, offering a true test o...
Learn more about Swaybury Spur

Crooked 76 is a single-lane dirt and sand road. The route is part of the Gaylord Forest Management Unit and offers wildlife viewing opportunities and a chance to enjoy northern Michigan trails. This track is a nice ride with some sand and mud holes in spots. It can be run in either direction and end...
Learn more about Crooked 76

Bebb Road is a single-lane dirt-and-sand route within the Gaylord Forest Management Unit. Winding through pine and hardwood forests, it offers opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy a scenic slice of Michigan. The trail can be traveled in either direction and features occasional sandy stretches...
Learn more about Bebb Road

This trail starts as a sandy two-track that quickly tightens into a more technical and engaging route. Early sections are distinctly off-camber, with both cut and fallen trees framing the trail. In places, high dirt banks close in to form a narrow corridor, adding a more confined, rugged feel right ...
Learn more about Fiel Road Crossing

This trail features consistently challenging terrain with deep, off-camber ruts exceeding 12 inches in places. It begins on packed dirt, but the surface varies throughout, alternating between sand and dirt as the route progresses. Early sections quickly introduce off-camber conditions, including ru...
Learn more about Fiel Road

Sand Lake Loop follows a single-lane dirt-and-sand road through the Gaylord Forest Management Unit. The route winds among pines and hardwoods, offering opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy Michigan’s natural scenery. Soft sand and water holes may be present in places. The trail can be travele...
Learn more about Sand Lake Loop

Townline Trail is a really fun and exciting bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located directly off Highway M-72 between Kalkaska and Williamsburg, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the eastern end, you'll start on a gravel road for the first half mile....
Learn more about Townline Trail

Richardson Road Northwest is a tighter two-track that traverses rolling hills littered with beautiful views of the surrounding forest. There are a couple of mud holes and some sandy washes, but most vehicles equipped with 4WD will be just fine. With 139 feet of elevation gain and 174 feet of elevati...
Learn more about Richardson Road Northwest

Trail 76 travels through the Gaylord Forest Management Unit on a single-lane dirt-and-sand road. Surrounded primarily by pine and hardwood forest, the route offers a relaxing ride and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Expect soft sand and ruts in places. The trail can be run in either direction an...
Learn more about Trail 76

Mancelona Road Spur is a single-lane dirt-and-sand route within the Gaylord Forest Management Unit. Passing through pine and hardwood forests, it offers opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy a scenic area of northern Michigan. Expect occasional sandy and water-covered sections. The trail can b...
Learn more about Mancelona Road Spur

Carved into the hillside, this short trail packs a serious punch right from the start. It begins at Fiel Road with a steep, sandy climb deeply rutted with trenches over a foot deep that demand careful tire placement and steady throttle. Towering dirt walls rise on both sides, creating a narrow corri...
Learn more about 763 Connector

Rapid River Camp Trail is an exciting and fun bidirectional seasonal road within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just north of Kalkaska near highway US-131 & M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the northern end of Seeley Rd NW, you'll start on a thick section of th...
Learn more about Rapid River Camp Trail

Old 72 Trail is a neat bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just northwest of Kalkaska near highway M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the southern end of Old M-72 Rd, you'll start on a thick section of the forest with lush vegetation edging ...
Learn more about Old 72 Trail

This trail starts as a sandy two-track that quickly tightens into a more technical and engaging route. Early sections are distinctly off-camber, with both cut and fallen trees framing the trail. In places, high dirt banks close in to form a narrow corridor, adding a more confined, rugged feel right ...
Learn more about Fiel Road Crossing

This trail features consistently challenging terrain with deep, off-camber ruts exceeding 12 inches in places. It begins on packed dirt, but the surface varies throughout, alternating between sand and dirt as the route progresses. Early sections quickly introduce off-camber conditions, including ru...
Learn more about Fiel Road

Sand Lake Loop follows a single-lane dirt-and-sand road through the Gaylord Forest Management Unit. The route winds among pines and hardwoods, offering opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy Michigan’s natural scenery. Soft sand and water holes may be present in places. The trail can be travele...
Learn more about Sand Lake Loop

Townline Trail is a really fun and exciting bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located directly off Highway M-72 between Kalkaska and Williamsburg, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the eastern end, you'll start on a gravel road for the first half mile....
Learn more about Townline Trail

This trail starts as a sandy two-track that quickly tightens into a more technical and engaging route. Early sections are distinctly off-camber, with both cut and fallen trees framing the trail. In places, high dirt banks close in to form a narrow corridor, adding a more confined, rugged feel right ...
Learn more about Fiel Road Crossing

This trail features consistently challenging terrain with deep, off-camber ruts exceeding 12 inches in places. It begins on packed dirt, but the surface varies throughout, alternating between sand and dirt as the route progresses. Early sections quickly introduce off-camber conditions, including ru...
Learn more about Fiel Road

Sand Lake Loop follows a single-lane dirt-and-sand road through the Gaylord Forest Management Unit. The route winds among pines and hardwoods, offering opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy Michigan’s natural scenery. Soft sand and water holes may be present in places. The trail can be travele...
Learn more about Sand Lake Loop

Townline Trail is a really fun and exciting bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located directly off Highway M-72 between Kalkaska and Williamsburg, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the eastern end, you'll start on a gravel road for the first half mile....
Learn more about Townline Trail