Additional Areas Where ORV Operation Is Prohibited

ORVs may not be operated: ORV operation is prohibited in some areas

In or on the waters of any stream, river, marsh, bog, wetland, or quagmire
On or across a cemetery or burial ground, or land used as an airport
Within 100 feet of a slide, ski, or skating area
On an operating or non-abandoned railroad or railroad right-of-way, or public utility right-of-way, except to cross at a clearly established site for vehicular traffic
Within 100 feet of a dwelling at a speed greater than the minimum speed necessary for controlled forward movement of the vehicle, except on:
- Property owned by the operator or on which the operator is an invited guest
- A state roadway, forest road, or ORV trail
- An ORV access route authorized by local ordinance

ORV Operation on Various Land Types
Land Type	ORVs 50 Inches Wide or Less (most ATVs and trail bikes)	ORVs Wider Than 50 Inches (trucks, dune buggies, and tracked vehicles)
State forest lands	L.P.: on designated open trails and routes. U.P.: on forest roads and designated trails and routes. Black Mountain Designated ORV Scramble Area (Cheboygan County).	L.P.: only on forest roads designated as open if ORV not SOS licensed.* U.P.: on forest routes and roads unless posted as closed.
State forest lands	St. Helen Motorsport Area (Roscommon County).
State game areas	No motorized vehicle operation except on established roads open to the public. ORVs are prohibited.
State parks & recreation areas	Silver Lake State Park, Oceana County, is only state park where cross-country (scramble) operation is permitted. Contact the park about special rules at 231-873-3083.
National forest lands	Check with the Forest Supervisor’s Office or appropriate District Office.
Ottawa Huron- Manistee	Only on designated roads, trails, and areas posted as open to ORV use.*
Hiawatha	Check with the appropriate forest supervisor at 906-786-4062.
Local government lands (county, etc.)	Subject to ordinances and signing or posting. ORV access routes may be established by local ordinance.
Commercial forest lands, public utility right-of-way, and other private lands	Only with permission of the landowner.
Streams, rivers, bogs, wetlands, marshes, etc.	ORV operation of all kinds prohibited. You may only cross any of these on bridges, culverts, or other structures.
State and U.S. highways	All ORV operation prohibited on roadway and shoulder.*
County roads, other roads open to cars	ORV operation prohibited on roadway and shoulder unless opened by local ordinance as designated ORV access routes.*
	*Trucks and other vehicles registered with the Secretary of State as highway vehicles may operate on highways, county roads, and other roads open to normal highway traffic, including forest roads not posted as closed.

In an area on which public hunting is permitted during the regular November firearm deer season, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., except under the following circumstances:
- During an emergency or for law enforcement purposes
- To go to and from a permanent residence or a hunting camp otherwise inaccessible by a conventional wheeled vehicle, or when required by a person with disabilities
- To remove from state land a deer, elk, or bear which has been taken under a valid license
- To conduct necessary work functions involving land and timber survey, communication and transmission line patrol, and timber harvest operations
- On property owned or under control of the operator or on which the operator is an invited guest

Michigan Department
of Natural Resources and Environment

Course Overview

Course Chapters

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Official ORV online course for Michigan ATV riders last modified: February 24, 2010
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