Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Mancelona, 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

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

The Kalkaska Interconnector connects the Kalkaska North Trail. This trail is designed for 50-inch ATVs, dirt bikes, and quads. The surface is primarily hard-packed sand, with some roots, a few whoops, and features plenty of sweeping corners along with a few small, easy uphill sections under a canopy...
Learn more about Kalkaska Trial Interconnector

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

This trail is typical of Michigan dirt and sandy roads and is suitable for most vehicles. The trail runs along the Manistee River and crosses the CCC Bridge. The last mile on the south end of the trail narrows and the terrain becomes a little bit rougher, but still is passable by any high-clearance ...
Learn more about Sunset Trail

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

Leetsville ORV Trail is a beginner-friendly ride. As a 50-inch trail, it stays consistently wide throughout, making it accessible and easy to navigate. There aren't many elevation changes, and the terrain remains fairly consistent along the entire route. You'll encounter a mix of deep sand and more ...
Learn more about Leetsville ORV Trail

Oil Pump Trail is a unique and scenic short out-and-back trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just north of highway M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from Rice Rd NW, you'll start on a sandy gravel road that leads into the thicker section of the forest. As you...
Learn more about Oil Pump Trail

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

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

Kalkaska South Mountain Bike Trail is a fun bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just west of Kalkaska near highway US-131 & M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the eastern end of W Kalkaska Road, you'll start on a thick section of the forest ...
Learn more about Kalkaska South Mountain Bike Trail

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

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

Johnson Lake Road Southeast begins at the north side of Grayling at Highway 72 and ends at the Manistee River. Johnson Lake is a nice, sandy, flat track. There is potential for large deep puddles if it's been wet. There are a few dispersed camping spots at the end along the river. The Manistee Rive...
Learn more about Johnson Lake Rd SE

This fun Trail winds back and forth through the woods, and the terrain changes quite a bit for a Michigan trail. Some areas are sand- or gravel-based, and others are dirt-based. The trail can be quite muddy when it's wet. There are spots in the trail where vegetation is a little overgrown, so expec...
Learn more about North Forest 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

LP 55 Trail is a unique bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just west of Kalkaska near highway US-131, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the eastern end of Smith Lake Rd, you'll start on a gravel/rocky portion of the trail. Immediately upon start...
Learn more about LP 55 Trail

Smith Lake Trail is an exciting and fun bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just west of Kalkaska near highway US-131 & M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the western end of LP 55 Trail, you'll start on a thick section of the forest with lus...
Learn more about Smith Lake Trail

Black Lake Road runs between Lake Valley and Blue Lake roads. It is a sandy two-track that winds gently through the mature forest. Some of the vegetation is a little overgrown; full-size vehicles may experience pinstriping. There are no elevation changes and no standing water anywhere on the trail.
Learn more about Black Lake Road

The Kalkaska Interconnector connects the Kalkaska North Trail. This trail is designed for 50-inch ATVs, dirt bikes, and quads. The surface is primarily hard-packed sand, with some roots, a few whoops, and features plenty of sweeping corners along with a few small, easy uphill sections under a canopy...
Learn more about Kalkaska Trial Interconnector

This trail is typical of Michigan dirt and sandy roads and is suitable for most vehicles. The trail runs along the Manistee River and crosses the CCC Bridge. The last mile on the south end of the trail narrows and the terrain becomes a little bit rougher, but still is passable by any high-clearance ...
Learn more about Sunset Trail

Leetsville ORV Trail is a beginner-friendly ride. As a 50-inch trail, it stays consistently wide throughout, making it accessible and easy to navigate. There aren't many elevation changes, and the terrain remains fairly consistent along the entire route. You'll encounter a mix of deep sand and more ...
Learn more about Leetsville ORV Trail

Oil Pump Trail is a unique and scenic short out-and-back trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just north of highway M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from Rice Rd NW, you'll start on a sandy gravel road that leads into the thicker section of the forest. As you...
Learn more about Oil Pump Trail

This trail is typical of Michigan dirt and sandy roads and is suitable for most vehicles. The trail runs along the Manistee River and crosses the CCC Bridge. The last mile on the south end of the trail narrows and the terrain becomes a little bit rougher, but still is passable by any high-clearance ...
Learn more about Sunset Trail

Oil Pump Trail is a unique and scenic short out-and-back trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just north of highway M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from Rice Rd NW, you'll start on a sandy gravel road that leads into the thicker section of the forest. As you...
Learn more about Oil Pump 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

Kalkaska South Mountain Bike Trail is a fun bidirectional trail within the Traverse City Forest Management Unit. Located just west of Kalkaska near highway US-131 & M-72, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the eastern end of W Kalkaska Road, you'll start on a thick section of the forest ...
Learn more about Kalkaska South Mountain Bike Trail