The Handbook of Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Laws Michigan Department of Natural Resources logo

Tread Lightly

As an ORV user, it is your responsibility to “tread lightly” and to protect Michigan’s fragile environment.

  • Obtain maps and rules from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, ORV dealerships, or clubs. Learn the rules and follow them.
  • Attend an ORV class. If qualified, volunteer to teach one and pass on your skills to new riders.
  • Avoid running over young trees, shrubs, and grasses, which can damage or kill them.
  • Stay off soft, wet trails that are readily torn up by vehicles. Repairing damage is expensive.
  • Travel around meadows, steep hillsides, or streambanks and lakeshores that are easily scarred by churning wheels.
  • Resist the urge to pioneer a new road or trail, or to cut across a switchback. Cross-country operation is unlawful except in designated areas.
  • Stay away from wild animals that are rearing young or suffering from food shortage. Stress can sap their scarce energy reserves.
  • Obey gate closures and regulatory signs.
  • Do not vandalize or litter. Repairing vandalized property and destroyed lands costs tax dollars and reduces trail riding opportunities.
  • Respect wilderness and other non-motorized areas. They are closed to all vehicles. Know where the boundaries are.
  • Respect landowner rights. Be a good neighbor.
  • Thumbs down on sound! Maintain stock mufflers—loud noise in the forest setting is offensive.
  • Use spark arrestors, which are a good idea and mandatory. They prevent hot particles of carbon and soot from escaping the vehicle and starting forest fires.
  • Yield the right of way. Courtesy and respect for other trail users is a matter of safety and treading lightly.
Michigan Department
of Natural Resources
Off-Road Basics
It's the Law!
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Online offroad vehicle safety handbook last modified: November 29, 2007
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