Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Clare, Michigan

This trail includes 2 large bowls that can be climbed into and out of from many different paths. My trail only shows 1 of the options, but almost all are accessible in one way or another. There are some tight areas in this trail system, however, they can be navigated or if trees are in the way (many...
Learn more about The Missing Bowls

This trail winds out and back through the Pine and hardwood forest in the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. It is a combination of a single lane dirt trail and a narrow dirt two-track. The trail gets quite narrow in spots, so be prepared for some possible scraping from the trees. You will also encount...
Learn more about Loose Lane

A single lane and two-track trail that is sandy dirt in most areas. It is a narrow trail with overgrown vegetation that could scrape the sides of your vehicle. You will also encounter some low-hanging tree branches. The out-and-back portion dead ends into private property, but there are some camping...
Learn more about Mostetler Road Ride

While it seems like a straightforward trail, there are many overgrown trees, which we attempted to groom back, and towards the end (depending on the direction you go) there is a little bit of an off-camber uphill section. While this is overgrown some, it was groomed back by myself and a friend. But ...
Learn more about Whisker's Trail

The trail starts at the intersection of West Olson Road and Geneva Road. There are large yellow turn signs on either side of the trail marking the normal roads. It is 1 to 2 vehicles wide with numerous mud holes, though most were not very deep, even in the spring, no more than a few inches. This cou...
Learn more about West Olson Trail

This out-and-back trail starts off as a two-track through a logged area with a few lone oak trees still standing before getting sandier and heading into the woods. The first half of the trail is fairly dry, but near the end, there are several large water holes. Depending on the season and weather, t...
Learn more about Lone Oak

Creek Crossing is an entertaining trail that winds through the hardwoods of the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. It's a sandy dirt two-track that travels through wooded areas, clearings, and logged areas. Opportunities to observe wildlife are numerous. There is a large downed tree and a water hole on...
Learn more about Creek Crossing

A scenic, easy-going trail through the woods in the Gladwin Forest area west of Midland. One of the few dry trails in the area, especially in the spring. The trail winds through woods and wetland. There has been some logging on the trail. The trail is mostly one vehicle wide, though there are severa...
Learn more about West Isabella Bypass

This is a standard Michigan seasonal road that passes through the Gladwin Forest Management Area. If you travel too far south, you'll eventually leave the system of trails. This seasonal road will reconnect you to many of the trails in the north. It is easy as well as scenic and relaxing.
Learn more about Sumac Trail

This is a Seasonal Road that leads back to an area known as the High Banks. This used to be a State Forest Campground accessible to full-size campers. The State has since installed gates to keep traffic from the actual High Banks area itself. There are two separate River View turnouts that allow cam...
Learn more about Thornapple Trail

An enjoyable, winding trail through a section of the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. You will see varied hardwood trees along the trail, including plenty of Birch trees. There is a small clearing that could be used for a staging area at the East Long Lake Road access point. It is primarily a single-...
Learn more about Birch Tree Trail

Wilson Road is a well-maintained dirt road. It is part of the Roscommon Forest Management Unit. It connects other trails in the area. The road is wide enough for two trucks to pass. You will not encounter any obstacles, but there could be some shallow muddy sections after a heavy rain. Clare County ...
Learn more about Wilson Road

Doe Road is a single-lane dirt road. The trail is part of the Gladwin Forest Management Unit and gives you the opportunity to see wildlife and explore Pure Michigan. This trail is a nice ride with a solid base. The trail can be run in either direction and ends at W. Haskell Lake Road on this adventu...
Learn more about Doe Road

Take a quick shortcut to Temple, Michigan, through this scenic trail that begins near Marion, Michigan. This trail passes through the Gladwin Forest Management Unit and also many Consumer Energy paths that are interconnected throughout the area. This area is also occasionally active with logging ope...
Learn more about Lake Station

This trail winds through the hardwoods in the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. A relatively smooth dirt two-track that is part of a larger network of trails in the area. There are spurs off the main trail that you can explore if desired. You will also encounter an optional mudhole to play in on one o...
Learn more about Riske Road

Playground Pass is a grass and dirt two-track trail that is part of a larger network of trails in the area. The trail offers a little for all offroad levels. There are a few spurs off the trail that can be explored. You will also find two play areas that consist of a small, sandy pit where you can h...
Learn more about Playground Pass

This is a beautiful and fun trail that runs through the Floodwood Swamp Reservoir in the Gladwin Forest Management Area, offering some obstacles and amazing wildlife spotting opportunities. It's a full-width trail with mixed traffic. You will encounter a bridge crossing, banks, and lots of mud, sand...
Learn more about Floodwood Swamp Reservoir

McKinley Road starts out as a two-lane road, then goes to a seasonal two-track dirt/sand with a big washout at the time the track was run. The trail is part of the Gladwin Forest Management Unit and gives you the opportunity to see wildlife and explore Pure Michigan. This trail is a nice ride with s...
Learn more about McKinley Road

Muskegon Spur is a single-lane, tight two-track dirt/sand trail. The trail is part of the Gladwin Forest Management Unit and gives you the opportunity to see wildlife and explore Pure Michigan. This track is a nice ride with some sand in spots. The trail can be run in either direction and ends at Hu...
Learn more about Muskegon Spur

West Haskell Lake Road starts out as a two-lane road, then goes to a single-lane dirt/sand trail. The trail is part of the Gladwin Forest Management Unit and gives you the opportunity to see wildlife and explore Pure Michigan. This track is a nice ride with some sand in spots. The trail can be run i...
Learn more about West Haskell Lake Road

This trail includes 2 large bowls that can be climbed into and out of from many different paths. My trail only shows 1 of the options, but almost all are accessible in one way or another. There are some tight areas in this trail system, however, they can be navigated or if trees are in the way (many...
Learn more about The Missing Bowls

This trail winds out and back through the Pine and hardwood forest in the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. It is a combination of a single lane dirt trail and a narrow dirt two-track. The trail gets quite narrow in spots, so be prepared for some possible scraping from the trees. You will also encount...
Learn more about Loose Lane

A single lane and two-track trail that is sandy dirt in most areas. It is a narrow trail with overgrown vegetation that could scrape the sides of your vehicle. You will also encounter some low-hanging tree branches. The out-and-back portion dead ends into private property, but there are some camping...
Learn more about Mostetler Road Ride

The trail starts at the intersection of West Olson Road and Geneva Road. There are large yellow turn signs on either side of the trail marking the normal roads. It is 1 to 2 vehicles wide with numerous mud holes, though most were not very deep, even in the spring, no more than a few inches. This cou...
Learn more about West Olson Trail

This trail includes 2 large bowls that can be climbed into and out of from many different paths. My trail only shows 1 of the options, but almost all are accessible in one way or another. There are some tight areas in this trail system, however, they can be navigated or if trees are in the way (many...
Learn more about The Missing Bowls

This trail winds out and back through the Pine and hardwood forest in the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. It is a combination of a single lane dirt trail and a narrow dirt two-track. The trail gets quite narrow in spots, so be prepared for some possible scraping from the trees. You will also encount...
Learn more about Loose Lane

A single lane and two-track trail that is sandy dirt in most areas. It is a narrow trail with overgrown vegetation that could scrape the sides of your vehicle. You will also encounter some low-hanging tree branches. The out-and-back portion dead ends into private property, but there are some camping...
Learn more about Mostetler Road Ride

While it seems like a straightforward trail, there are many overgrown trees, which we attempted to groom back, and towards the end (depending on the direction you go) there is a little bit of an off-camber uphill section. While this is overgrown some, it was groomed back by myself and a friend. But ...
Learn more about Whisker's Trail