Public Act 288 (PA 288), enacted in September 2016, opens most state forest roads in the northern Lower Peninsula to ORV use starting January 1, 2018. The law also allows for the cross-country retrieval of deer, bear and elk using ORVs and horses. The law also required the DNR to inventory and map all state forest roads in the Northern Lower Peninsula by the end of 2017. Roads on state lands in the Upper Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula will be inventoried and mapped by the end of 2018.
- Frequently Asked Questions and closure criteria
- Read the full text of Public Act 288 (PA 288)
Ongoing Public Input
The public is invited to provide comments and input on state forest roads and ORV use using the new Forest Road Inventory map. This map allows users to view state forest road locations, determine which roads are open or closed to ORV use and submit comments to the DNR regarding specific roads on an ongoing basis. The map (below) currently can be used to comment on roads in the northern Lower Peninsula. (Expect a similar opportunity to comment on roads in the Upper Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula after this year’s inventory is complete.)
The public is welcome to submit comments at any time. However, comments submitted by Aug. 31 of each year will be reviewed for potential action and inclusion in the maps that will be published the following year. Comments submitted after the Aug. 31 deadline will be reviewed in the next year’s cycle. Proposed changes will be available for public review in the fall, and the DNR Director will make a final decision at a Natural Resources Commission meeting each February. New maps reflecting the changes will be published by April 1.
- Forest Road Inventory Process and Timeline
- Interactive Map of Northern Lower Peninsula Roads
Upper Peninsula - In-Progress
The state forest road inventory and classification for roads in the Upper Peninsula will go into effect in January 2019.
The initial comment period has closed. A second public comment periods to review the final DNR staff recommendations will begin in the fall. At that time, comments will be accepted via the interactive map below, via email to DNR-RoadInventoryProject@michigan.gov, or by mail to ATTN: DNR Roads Inventory Project, 1990 US-41 South, Marquette, MI 49855.
- Interactive Map of Upper Peninsula Roads
- Printable County Maps of Upper Peninsula Roads
Southern Lower Peninsula - In-Progress
The state forest road inventory and classification for roads in the southern Lower Peninsula will go into effect in January 2019.
The initial public comment period beings June 1 and ends July 15. Share your thoughts via email to DNR-southernmiroadinventory@michigan.gov, or by mail to ATTN: DNR Roads Inventory Project, 4166 Legacy Parkway, Lansing, MI 48911.
- Interactive Map of Southern Lower Peninsula Roads
- Printable County Maps of Southern Lower Peninsula Roads
Northern Lower Peninsula - Complete
We’ve completed our first round of inventory and classified all state forest roads in the Northern Lower Peninsula. As of January 2018, 6,308 miles (of the 7,552 miles available) of forest roads are available for riding ORVs. An ORV license is required. Maps are available at the links provided below.
Signs will be posted for state forest roads that are closed to ORVs. We are currently in the process of installing signs and efforts will continue until all closed roads are posted.
- Printable Northern Lower Peninsula County Maps
