Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Skidway Lake, Michigan

This trail runs from Spenser Trail to South Morrison Road. The east side of the trail, once crossed over the creek, becomes very tight and banked, weaving back and forth through the trees. It was a fun trail to drive, but it definitely needs some trimming for full-size vehicles.
Learn more about Emerson Trail

This trail is typical of the Michigan two-track style trail. Sandy with little elevation change. It begins at the end of a dirt road and goes all the way back to a creek. Spencer's Trail intersects with a couple of other trails. There is a large tree down on the trail just past the intersection, lim...
Learn more about Spencers Trail

This Trail is a typical Michigan two-track. Dirt track, wide enough for one vehicle. The trail does not lead to any other trails, but there are quite a few grassy spots to pull off for dispersed camping. The west side of the loop portion is definitely a much tighter, less-traveled trail. The south s...
Learn more about South Eddy Creek Trail

This seasonal road begins at the end of Boehm Road. The road is wide at the entrance, but it does become narrower or less travelled on the north and west sides of the loop. The east side of the trail runs along an easement for power lines. There is not much elevation change on the trail, and it does...
Learn more about West Boehm Road

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 passed through, it is very easy. But in the spring or after heavy rain, this trail can get ...
Learn more about North Sterling Truck Trail

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 two vehicles. It is very easy in difficulty, but it is unmaintained during rain or snow. During dry summer months, this ...
Learn more about Sterling Truck Trail

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 during rain and snow, which could make it more challenging at times. During the dry summer months, this trail is ve...
Learn more about Lame Duck Truck Trail

Dow Road is a 2-ish vehicle-wide hard-packed road that will take you through older forest. This trail will take you to the West Branch area or the Clear Lake area for food and fuel. Plenty of other trails branch off this trail for more areas to explore the area. This road is a winding road that is a...
Learn more about Dow Road

This trail runs from north to south. At the south end, it starts off Sage Lake Road and dead ends right before Rose City Road. While traveling the trail, the width alternates between one and two vehicles wide. The trail is a mix of loose sand and hard pack while traveling through older forest and cl...
Learn more about Lentz Trail

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 will catch your attention. Take your time along this trail to enjoy the views and the nature. It is unm...
Learn more about East Fireline Trail

Aginaw Loop to Knoch is part of multiple trail systems in the area of the checkerboard. This trail is made up of pines and hardwood and starts as double-lane dirt and then drops to single-lane dirt. If you're looking for a nice ride, this is the trail for you. The trail does cross the Ogemaw Hills O...
Learn more about Aginaw Loop

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 the dry summer season; however, this trail is known to become more difficult during the spring...
Learn more about Mosquito Alley Truck Trail

This challenging two-track begins with a short stretch of soft sand before quickly transitioning to hard-packed sandy terrain. From there, the trail takes on a rollercoaster-like character, over a series of steep hills, sharp descents, and constant elevation changes. The route becomes increasingly r...
Learn more about Hippie Circle Trail

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 trail itself is fairly flat, with rolling whoops through a wooded area.
Learn more about Gladwin ORV Route

This 50" trail is a loop leaving from Ambrose Lake trailhead. You will find hard-packed and soft sand with some decent elevation changes, mature trees, and recent clear-cut areas. While running this trail you will see all sorts of wildlife. This trail is also part of the MCCCT.
Learn more about Ambrose Lake Trail East Loop

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 a graded dirt road with sand and mud. This trail will lead you into the historical town of H...
Learn more about Center Fireline Trail

Federal Forest Service Road (FS) 4042 is a federally owned/ locally maintained, Level-2/ Level-3 forest road with a surface composition of dirt, sand, gravel, and native material. This route is currently open and in fair condition; it is not a DNR road (ORV use is subject to local government regulat...
Learn more about FS 4042

The Ambrose Lake to Rose City Trail is a moderate ORV trail that provides a direct, off-road connection between the Ambrose Lake area and the city of Rose City in Roscommon County. It’s designed for riders who want a true trail experience rather than road-based travel, with terrain that reflects cla...
Learn more about Ambrose Lake to Rose City Trail

Sand trails, mild hill climbs, and great views; what more could you ask for? This route will take you through an area that is a little overgrown and could use trimming, but if you don't mind that good ol' Michigan pinstriping, then you'll be fine. There are a few hill climbs and a rewarding lookout ...
Learn more about Rose City Lookout

Federal Forest Service Road (FS) 4043 is a federally owned/locally maintained, Level-2/Level-3 forest road with a surface composed of dirt, sand, gravel, and native material. This route is currently open and in fair condition; it is not a DNR road (ORV use is subject to local government regulations)...
Learn more about FS 4043

This trail runs from Spenser Trail to South Morrison Road. The east side of the trail, once crossed over the creek, becomes very tight and banked, weaving back and forth through the trees. It was a fun trail to drive, but it definitely needs some trimming for full-size vehicles.
Learn more about Emerson Trail

This trail is typical of the Michigan two-track style trail. Sandy with little elevation change. It begins at the end of a dirt road and goes all the way back to a creek. Spencer's Trail intersects with a couple of other trails. There is a large tree down on the trail just past the intersection, lim...
Learn more about Spencers Trail

This Trail is a typical Michigan two-track. Dirt track, wide enough for one vehicle. The trail does not lead to any other trails, but there are quite a few grassy spots to pull off for dispersed camping. The west side of the loop portion is definitely a much tighter, less-traveled trail. The south s...
Learn more about South Eddy Creek Trail

Dow Road is a 2-ish vehicle-wide hard-packed road that will take you through older forest. This trail will take you to the West Branch area or the Clear Lake area for food and fuel. Plenty of other trails branch off this trail for more areas to explore the area. This road is a winding road that is a...
Learn more about Dow Road

This trail runs from Spenser Trail to South Morrison Road. The east side of the trail, once crossed over the creek, becomes very tight and banked, weaving back and forth through the trees. It was a fun trail to drive, but it definitely needs some trimming for full-size vehicles.
Learn more about Emerson Trail

This trail is typical of the Michigan two-track style trail. Sandy with little elevation change. It begins at the end of a dirt road and goes all the way back to a creek. Spencer's Trail intersects with a couple of other trails. There is a large tree down on the trail just past the intersection, lim...
Learn more about Spencers Trail

This Trail is a typical Michigan two-track. Dirt track, wide enough for one vehicle. The trail does not lead to any other trails, but there are quite a few grassy spots to pull off for dispersed camping. The west side of the loop portion is definitely a much tighter, less-traveled trail. The south s...
Learn more about South Eddy Creek Trail

Dow Road is a 2-ish vehicle-wide hard-packed road that will take you through older forest. This trail will take you to the West Branch area or the Clear Lake area for food and fuel. Plenty of other trails branch off this trail for more areas to explore the area. This road is a winding road that is a...
Learn more about Dow Road