Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Houghton, Michigan

Seven Hour Plane Crash Trail

You can expect rutted roads, lots of forest roads, some washboard sections and a potential water crossing. This trail can be run from Crandon, WI or leave from Copper harbor, MI. Keep in mind the…
Learn more about Seven Hour Plane Crash Trail
Total Miles
233.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Bill Nicholls Trail (UP3)

This is one of Michigan's ORV Routes that is open to all licensed vehicles and ORVs. It runs from Houghton to Greenland at roughly 40 miles in length, utilizing the old Copper Range Railroad grade.…
Learn more about Bill Nicholls Trail (UP3)
Total Miles
39.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mill Mine Trail

This trail runs along an old railroad grade off the Bill Nicholls trail back to the Bill Nicholls trail. It is an alternative to running through the towns of Painesdale, Trimountain, and South Range. The…
Learn more about Mill Mine Trail
Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa / Wi

Globe Mine Trail

Short and easy is how this trail is described. It does get narrow and has a few water holes to navigate but they have a hard bottom. This makes for an easy escape or entrance…
Learn more about Globe Mine Trail
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Lake Eva Loop

The loop will take you around Lake Eva in Houghton County. Looping from M-26 to Misery Bay Road on a network of old logging roads and improved county roads the loop takes you through the…
Learn more about Lake Eva Loop
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Freda Crosscut

A gentle winding trail through the Michigan Woods. This trail used to be very narrow, unmaintained, rutted, and muddy. Recently the logging companies have been using it and made significant improvements by grading, widening, and…
Learn more about Freda Crosscut
Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Garden Rd

The trail is a seasonal road that is not snowplowed by the road commission but is graded during the warm months. Spring conditions may have patches of snow and mud until the thaw ends. The…
Learn more about Garden Rd
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mount Arvon Overlook

Mount Arvon is the highest natural point in Michigan. Mount Arvon is located in L'Anse Township. When you arrive make sure you take time for the view, especially with the fall colors. While exploring you…
Learn more about Mount Arvon Overlook
Total Miles
10.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Huron Bay-Peshekee Grade Loop

Off-Highway 41 we jumped on Huron Mountain Drive-Eric's to Van Riper Trail which was already mapped. Then we took the Huron Bay-Peshekee Grade Loop for some amazing views and the colors could not have been…
Learn more about Huron Bay-Peshekee Grade Loop
Total Miles
16.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Huron Mountain Drive Big Eric's to Van Riper

Backroad route from Big Eric's Bridge State Forest Campground to Van Riper State Park. This route passes through the Huron Mountains and touches the McCormick Wilderness area of Ottawa National Forest. The route is mostly…
Learn more about Huron Mountain Drive Big Eric's to Van Riper
Total Miles
36
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Caledonia Road

This is an overall mellow trail with a fair amount of elevation change for the area. Mostly a gravel base there is some mud, a stream crossing, and one long steep climb/descent depending on which…
Learn more about Caledonia Road
Total Miles
4.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Old Bridge Overlook

Start the day at the CR 510 Old Bridge Overlook to check out the fall colors. Jump back on CR 510 to the trails and take UP 14/CR 510 then took CR GGA to CR…
Learn more about Old Bridge Overlook
Total Miles
22.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Stateline Route

This trail is a converted rail bed that runs east/west on the very north edge of the state. It is a nice dirt and gravel road with easy grades that connects Florence, Spread Eagle and…
Learn more about Stateline Route
Total Miles
13.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Keyes Lake Loop

This is a short loop around Keyes Lake that can be used to go to several bars and restaurants in the area. Mainly road routes with several sand and gravel sections connecting them. Bars on…
Learn more about Keyes Lake Loop
Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mark Peters Memorial Trail

Great trails consisting of rolling hills through the woods. Multiple routes to/from Florence and Lake Emily. There is an ATV park just off the trail near Florence to test your skills on big sand hills…
Learn more about Mark Peters Memorial Trail
Total Miles
8.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Lake Emily to Spread Eagle

These trails are well maintained by the local clubs and get groomed weekly. Most of the trails are twisty sections with plenty of width for travel in both directions. There are many blind corners, so…
Learn more about Lake Emily to Spread Eagle
Total Miles
16.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Barrens Loop

This is a twisting trail through the stunning Barrens Nature Area. This trail's surface is a lot like most other trails in this area and is made up of rocks and sand. There are several…
Learn more about Barrens Loop
Total Miles
2.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Wi / Fa / Sp

La Salle Trail

La Salle Trail runs generally north to south, and is comprised of a combination of gravel trails and forest roads. The trail begins in the south at a midway point between Goodman and Dunbar. On…
Learn more about La Salle Trail
Total Miles
21.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

F15 Trail

This trail is comprised of a rocky, sandy surface. It winds through the woods, and occasionally jumps onto a forest road. The north end of the trail brings you towards the town of Florence and…
Learn more about F15 Trail
Total Miles
23.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

DunGood Trail

This trail connects the towns of Dunbar and Goodman. Several food and drink establishments are available in both towns, as well as gas stations. The trail itself is a mix of sand and gravel. This…
Learn more about DunGood Trail
Total Miles
12
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

17

Trail 17 from Hurley to Mercer is an easy, railroad-grade trail that's well maintained. The trail follows most of the snowmobile trail 17, with some exceptions where it follows dirt or paved road for short…
Learn more about 17
Total Miles
25.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa