Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Sterling, Michigan

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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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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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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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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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…
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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 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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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…
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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…
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This route runs through mature woods and recent clear-cut areas. The route runs from the Ambrose Lake area to the south along the YMCA camp. The route has everything from hard pack to mud holes…
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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…
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St Helen Trail is a 3ish-wide vehicle sandy trail that will take you through new growth forest and older forest. This trail will take you to the St. Helen area or the West Branch area…
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This Michigan DNR ORV Route is open to full-size, 50-inch, and motorcycles with ORV permits and trail permit stickers. This area connects with St. Helen ORV Route on the west side. The west side of…
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This trail runs east to west, at the west end of the trail is Ambrose Lake State Campground, along with the Ambrose Lake ORV trailhead. The east end of the trail runs dead-end into another…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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H57-13 Lupton is a 50-inch trail that traverses parts of the Huron National Forest. The trail is a mix of sand and hard-packed dirt and is surrounded by dense forests. It leads to several forest…
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FS 4513 is a tight two-track with pine hardwood mix that opens up to a two-lane dirt road after crossing 4301. These trails are all part of the Huron National Forest. The trail is mostly…
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FS 2630 is a two-lane well-maintained dirt road made up of pine hardwood mix that will take you by multiple trails. This is an easy dirt road/trail that can be run in either direction. The…
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FS 4301 A, also known as Curtis Road, is a well-maintained two-lane dirt road. 4301 A will take you by an area of Vaughn Lake with a small creek and marsh. The dirt road along…
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This short trail will take you past several of the large oil rigs in the area along with some great spots to stop and take a break or lunch. The trail is mostly loose sand…
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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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FS 3180 is a wide single-lane maintained dirt road made up of Pine hardwood mix and is an in-and-out trail. You can jump on 3181 taking you to Vaughn Road. this will allow you to…
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Forest Service Road 2143 is an accessible trail suitable for all vehicle types, located within a dense forest area. The road is divided into two distinct sections. The eastern half is a tighter, more rugged…
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Forest Service Road 4630 is a versatile road that can accommodate vehicles of all sizes, from large 4x4s to dirt bikes. The road is primarily composed of sand and hard-packed dirt, and it's surrounded by…
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FS 4406 also known as Allen Road is a single-lane dirt/sand mix. The trail is part of the Huron National Forest and can be run in either direction. The trail is flat and a nice…
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Forest Service Road 2045 offers an exciting off-road vehicle (ORV) trail experience that is legal for all types of vehicles. This trail, composed primarily of sand, presents a thrilling ride with numerous twists and turns.…
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