Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Sanford, Michigan

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.…
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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…
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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…
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This narrow and scratchy trail will leave a mark. This sandy trail is off a longer trail in the Gladwin Forest. This trail can be run either direction, but we found the overhead branches favored…
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This is a fun, sandy trail with multiple whoops providing the opportunity to test out your high-speed suspension. The trail is two vehicles wide when entering from Grim Road, but narrows to just over one…
Learn more about Gladwin Forest Baja

This stretch of Wildwood Road is a narrow, sandy, and unmaintained road. It is easy in difficulty, and its only obstacle during the summer season is some whoops. The surrounding scenery varies between dense woods…
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Center Fireline Trail is a part of the Gladwin Scramble, a mixed-use riding area in the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. This trail is a two-lane dirt trail with mixed access and cross-traffic. You can expect…
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Mosquito Alley Truck Trail is a flat and sandy trail that parallels the Molasses River. It is a wide trail that easily accommodates both directions of traffic, and it is an easy, non-technical trail during…
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Michigan DNR ORV Route is open to full-size, 50-inch, and motorcycles with ORV permits and Trail permit stickers. This is a small ORV Route but is surrounded by many more miles of 50-inch trails. The…
Learn more about Gladwin ORV Route

A simple sandy trail in the Gladwin ORV area with the most beautiful wetland views. This trail has thick sand, many turns and curves, and is relatively flat, but the various wetland views along it…
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Sterling Truck Trail is a seasonal road that is a great connector trail for many of the trails in the Gladwin area. The terrain is sandy and flat, and it is easily wide enough for…
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Lame Duck Truck Trail is a seasonal road that borders the north edge of the Lame Duck wetland area. The terrain is sandy and flat. It is very easy in difficulty, but it is unmaintained…
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This connector trail runs north and south between Lame Duck Truck Trail and Sterling Truck Trail. It can drastically vary in difficulty depending on trail conditions. On a dry summer day after the groomer has…
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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…
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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…
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Wildlife Drive, located in Schiawasse National Wildlife Refuge, is a scenic, flat dirt road designed for a leisurely drive in a clockwise direction. Take your time to enjoy the stunning views, hiking trails, and beautiful…
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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…
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Greenwood is a straight trail that is part of a larger grid of trails in the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. It connects many other trails in the area. The surface varies, with dirt, gravel, and…
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Hilly adventure awaits on this unmapped trail in the Roscommon Forest. This trail is South off of Sandy Trail, and is just West of the St. Helen's South ORV Route. There is a loop off…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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This trail through the Pine and hardwood forest in the Gladwin Forest Management Unit is part of a larger grid of trails in the area. It is a dirt two-track that is very tight in…
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This trail is a very entertaining ride on a rarely traveled route through the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. You will enjoy Pine and hardwood trees, as well as plenty of wildlife along the way. Just…
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Heavily wooded trail in the middle of the Gladwin State Forest. The trail runs north and south and is dirt and sand. On the north section, trees hang over the trail, making for difficult passing.…
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This trail is part of a larger grid of trails in the area. It winds through the Gladwin Forest Management Unit, which is home to pine and hardwood trees. If you take your time and…
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Markey is part of a larger grid and provides access to several other trails. It is a single-lane dirt and sand surface that offers no difficulty navigating the trail. There are a couple of areas…
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This is a scenic ORV route near the St. Helen Motorsport Area. The trail features sandy terrain with occasional deep ruts (from ATVs and razors) but nothing a Jeep couldn't manage. When going around the…
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This trail is a single-lane, grass-and-dirt loop that runs off South Reserve Road. The trail is tight in spots, so be prepared for branches rubbing against the sides of your vehicle. This trail provides access…
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Calhoun is part of a larger grid of trails in the Pine and hardwood forest. At the East end, you will find a clearing with a campsite complete with a fire ring. It is a…
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