Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Houghton, Michigan

Seven Hour Plane Crash Trail

You can expect rutted roads, lots of forest roads, some washboard sections and a potential water crossing. This trail can be run from Crandon, WI or leave from Copper harbor, MI. Keep in mind the…
Learn more about Seven Hour Plane Crash Trail
Total Miles
233.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Bill Nicholls Trail (UP3)

This is one of Michigan's ORV Routes that is open to all licensed vehicles and ORVs. It runs from Houghton to Greenland at roughly 40 miles in length, utilizing the old Copper Range Railroad grade.…
Learn more about Bill Nicholls Trail (UP3)
Total Miles
39.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mill Mine Trail

This trail runs along an old railroad grade off the Bill Nicholls trail back to the Bill Nicholls trail. It is an alternative to running through the towns of Painesdale, Trimountain, and South Range. The…
Learn more about Mill Mine Trail
Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa / Wi

Globe Mine Trail

Short and easy is how this trail is described. It does get narrow and has a few water holes to navigate but they have a hard bottom. This makes for an easy escape or entrance…
Learn more about Globe Mine Trail
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Lake Eva Loop

The loop will take you around Lake Eva in Houghton County. Looping from M-26 to Misery Bay Road on a network of old logging roads and improved county roads the loop takes you through the…
Learn more about Lake Eva Loop
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Freda Crosscut

A gentle winding trail through the Michigan Woods. This trail used to be very narrow, unmaintained, rutted, and muddy. Recently the logging companies have been using it and made significant improvements by grading, widening, and…
Learn more about Freda Crosscut
Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Garden Rd

The trail is a seasonal road that is not snowplowed by the road commission but is graded during the warm months. Spring conditions may have patches of snow and mud until the thaw ends. The…
Learn more about Garden Rd
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mount Arvon Overlook

Mount Arvon is the highest natural point in Michigan. Mount Arvon is located in L'Anse Township. When you arrive make sure you take time for the view, especially with the fall colors. While exploring you…
Learn more about Mount Arvon Overlook
Total Miles
10.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Huron Bay-Peshekee Grade Loop

Off-Highway 41 we jumped on Huron Mountain Drive-Eric's to Van Riper Trail which was already mapped. Then we took the Huron Bay-Peshekee Grade Loop for some amazing views and the colors could not have been…
Learn more about Huron Bay-Peshekee Grade Loop
Total Miles
16.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Huron Mountain Drive Big Eric's to Van Riper

Backroad route from Big Eric's Bridge State Forest Campground to Van Riper State Park. This route passes through the Huron Mountains and touches the McCormick Wilderness area of Ottawa National Forest. The route is mostly…
Learn more about Huron Mountain Drive Big Eric's to Van Riper
Total Miles
36
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Caledonia Road

This is an overall mellow trail with a fair amount of elevation change for the area. Mostly a gravel base there is some mud, a stream crossing, and one long steep climb/descent depending on which…
Learn more about Caledonia Road
Total Miles
4.7
Tech Rating