ORV use on state forest roads
Public Act 288 (PA 288), enacted in 2016, required the DNR to inventory and map all state forest roads. To date, the implementation of the law has resulted in 89% of state forest roads being opened to ORV use (including roads that are open seasonally). The law also allows for the cross-country retrieval of deer, bear and elk using ORVs and horses. See FAQs and closure criteria.
Annual review process
The mapping and inventory process is an ongoing effort, with reviews being completed on the ground by DNR staff as well as an in-depth review of public comments each year:
- Comments on current maps are accepted until Aug. 31 each year
- Comments on proposed changes to maps are accepted during open comment periods
- Approved changes are incorporated into the maps and go into effect April 1 each year
Current road inventory and mapping
Thousands of miles of state forest roads are open to ORV use. Mileage is effective April 1, 2021.
- Upper Peninsula: 6,312.7 miles (approximately 98%) of roads are open year-round to ORV use, 93.8* miles (approximately 2%) of roads are closed to ORV use, and there is a total of 6,406.5 miles of state forest roads.
- Northern Lower Peninsula: 6,101.8 miles (approximately 84%) of roads are open year-round to ORV use, 1,153* miles (approximately 16%) of roads are closed to ORV use, and there is a total of 7,254.8 miles of state forest roads.
- Southern Lower Peninsula: 9.4 miles (approximately 3%) of roads are open to ORV use, 290.2* miles (approximately 97%) of roads are closed to ORV use, and there is a total of 299.6 miles of state forest roads.
*Included within the total road closure mileage for each region are state forest roads that are only seasonally closed to ORV use. These roads are identified on the state forest road maps and the dates that these roads are opened or closed for ORV use will be posted on signs at the site.
Current Maps
You can use the following maps to see what is open and closed to ORV use. You can also use these maps to make comments, by Aug. 31, which will be reviewed for potential action and inclusion in next year's maps.
- Interactive Map Current Road Status
- Printable Maps Current Road Status
Public access
The purpose of state forest roads is to provide the public with access to state forest lands for recreation and to provide the DNR with access for management and land protection. State forest roads may also provide access to private lands on an incidental, nonexclusive, permissive-use basis. People may use state forest roads as long as the DNR allows them to remain open to general public use. Adjacent landowners may use state forest roads; however, unless an easement has been granted by the DNR, state forest roads do not provide legal access to private property, nor is there any guarantee that state forest roads will remain open or be passable year-round.
