Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Westphalia, Michigan

West Snow Lake Road is a fast two-lane dirt road that rips through the north end of the Flat River State Game Area. Along this route, you will see lots of different terrain ranging from thick dense forest to open clearcuts. You'll have a multitude of turnouts to access the game area. There are also ...
Learn more about West Snow Lake Road

Starting on the south end of Fulton St East, you will quickly encounter a well-maintained two-lane gravel road. You will also see a thick forest surrounding you. This trail cuts directly through state land. There are many pull-offs to park and enjoy the public land. Halfway through this trail, you w...
Learn more about Montcalm Ave Northeast

This an an out-and-back trail. The access is off Potters Rd. The beginning of the trail has public land on one side and private residences on the other so be courteous. Half a mile into the trail it turns from a gravel road into a two-track. Along the route, there are pull offs for the public land. ...
Learn more about Montcalm Ave Northeast Trail

Scenic, sandy, and washouts describe this route perfectly. After rain, there is also quite a bit of mud. I would not recommend this in a two-wheel-drive vehicle. The sandy hill section is pretty easy to get stuck in a 2-wheel drive. There are also sections where you can bottom out lower vehicles. Th...
Learn more about Middleville State Game Area

West Cannonsville Road is a very fun and fast sandy two-track the beginning of the trail is a long hill and is relatively sandy. After driving through the woods a little ways it will open up to more of a clear cut as the road continues. Eventually, you will run into a spot where you can turn around....
Learn more about West Cannonsville Road

Langston Trail is one of the most fun in the area. It's very windy with different dense forests and open clearcuts along the route. Plenty of turnouts to stop and have lunch or to let other vehicles by as this is a one-lane trail. The north end of the trail is accessible by Youngman Cutover of West ...
Learn more about Langston Trail

Youngman Cutover is a short route that connects North Youngman Road to West Cannonsville Road and Langston Trail. The cutover veers left just off of North Youngman Road and gives further amazing views of the forest. The trail terrain is dirt and it's an easy drive that offers access to some more rid...
Learn more about Youngman Cut Over

North Youngman Road begins directly off of Youngman Road this trail is tight and will leave some pinstripes on your rig. There are some rocky sections with mostly a sandy dirt base. Cell service isn't great so offline maps would be a good idea. This trail is tight with some fun winding turns and gre...
Learn more about North Youngman Road

Hart Trail is a short connector route that links the western side of the Yankee Springs Loop to the interior trail network within the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area and the Barry State Game Area. While not a destination trail on its own, it’s a useful cut‑through that lets you access several o...
Learn more about Hart Trail

Peets Road is a short connector trail that joins the western side of the Yankee Springs Loop. The trail surface is a mix of sand, dirt, mud, and scattered rock, with the overall character changing heavily based on recent weather. After rain, the hills can get washouts due to the large sand content o...
Learn more about Peets Road

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 sunrises and sunsets. You can spot plenty of wildlife here, including birds, d...
Learn more about Wildlife Drive

West Schafer Trail is an easy 1.5-mile bidirectional trail. Located off Pingree Rd, you'll find the beginning of the trail, making it easily accessible. Starting from the western end, you'll begin on a mostly dirt road with towering trees completely surrounding it. Shortly into this track, the trail...
Learn more about West Schafer Trail

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 wide with numerous mud holes, though most were not very deep, even in the spring, no more than a few inches. This cou...
Learn more about West Olson Trail

Hinchey Trail is an easy 2.5-mile bidirectional trail just outside of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Located between Cedar Lake Trail and Pigmee Trail, you'll find this trail, making it easily accessible and easy to combine with other nearby trails to make for a fun day. Starting from...
Learn more about Hinchey Trail

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 fairly dry, but near the end, there are several large water holes. Depending on the season and weather, t...
Learn more about Lone Oak

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. There has been some logging on the trail. The trail is mostly one vehicle wide, though there are severa...
Learn more about West Isabella Bypass

Bently Lake Trail is a 4-mile bidirectional trail within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Located just south of Marion Township between Highway 96 and 94, this trail is easily accessible. Starting from the northern end of Bently Lake Road, you'll start out in a thick section of trees wi...
Learn more about Bently Lake Trail

East Schafer Trail is a unique and scenic 1-mile bidirectional trail. Located between Cedar Lake Trail and Bently Lake Trail, this trail is easily accessible and breathtaking. Starting from the western end, you'll start out on a mostly dirt road that slowly transitions to dirt/gravel. There are a fe...
Learn more about East Schafer Trail

Pingree Trail is a unique and scenic 2.5-mile trail just outside of the Gregory State Game Area. Located just to the west of Putnam Township, you'll find the trail off M-36, making it easily accessible. Starting out the trail is a mixture of dirt and gravel. Shortly after, the trail transitions into...
Learn more about Pingree Trail

Rogue River Game Trail #1 is an easy off-road trail for beginners. Located just northeast of Kent City off 20 Mile Road, this route is easily accessible. This trail is easy with nothing technical. Most of the trail combines sand and dirt and weaves throughout the Manistee National Forest. Along this...
Learn more about Rogue River Game Trail #1

West Snow Lake Road is a fast two-lane dirt road that rips through the north end of the Flat River State Game Area. Along this route, you will see lots of different terrain ranging from thick dense forest to open clearcuts. You'll have a multitude of turnouts to access the game area. There are also ...
Learn more about West Snow Lake Road

Starting on the south end of Fulton St East, you will quickly encounter a well-maintained two-lane gravel road. You will also see a thick forest surrounding you. This trail cuts directly through state land. There are many pull-offs to park and enjoy the public land. Halfway through this trail, you w...
Learn more about Montcalm Ave Northeast

This an an out-and-back trail. The access is off Potters Rd. The beginning of the trail has public land on one side and private residences on the other so be courteous. Half a mile into the trail it turns from a gravel road into a two-track. Along the route, there are pull offs for the public land. ...
Learn more about Montcalm Ave Northeast Trail

West Cannonsville Road is a very fun and fast sandy two-track the beginning of the trail is a long hill and is relatively sandy. After driving through the woods a little ways it will open up to more of a clear cut as the road continues. Eventually, you will run into a spot where you can turn around....
Learn more about West Cannonsville Road

West Snow Lake Road is a fast two-lane dirt road that rips through the north end of the Flat River State Game Area. Along this route, you will see lots of different terrain ranging from thick dense forest to open clearcuts. You'll have a multitude of turnouts to access the game area. There are also ...
Learn more about West Snow Lake Road

Starting on the south end of Fulton St East, you will quickly encounter a well-maintained two-lane gravel road. You will also see a thick forest surrounding you. This trail cuts directly through state land. There are many pull-offs to park and enjoy the public land. Halfway through this trail, you w...
Learn more about Montcalm Ave Northeast

This an an out-and-back trail. The access is off Potters Rd. The beginning of the trail has public land on one side and private residences on the other so be courteous. Half a mile into the trail it turns from a gravel road into a two-track. Along the route, there are pull offs for the public land. ...
Learn more about Montcalm Ave Northeast Trail

West Cannonsville Road is a very fun and fast sandy two-track the beginning of the trail is a long hill and is relatively sandy. After driving through the woods a little ways it will open up to more of a clear cut as the road continues. Eventually, you will run into a spot where you can turn around....
Learn more about West Cannonsville Road