Michigan has stunning scenery worth exploring on foot, but even better – on dirt bikes! These are trails near Detroit and Grand Rapids City.
If you’re tired of binge-watching another YouTuber cruising along the trails and prefer to actually head out there yourself, then pay attention to this carefully curated list of riding areas.
Best Dirt Bike Trails in Michigan
We hunted around to bring you this excellent and resourceful guide. We didn’t want to simply cobble together some MX clubs and tracks around the state. While we love the racing scene, most people are looking for enduro single track to explore.
And so, we found the following for those who want some exploring and perhaps some enduro racing or camping opportunities.
Make the most of sunny days. These dirt bike trails in Michigan are the most popular:
1. Tomahawk Motorcycle Trail
Tomahawk is what Frontaer considers to be one of the best places to explore on a dirt bike in Michigan. These loops are graded for difficulty and you can not just ride here, but swim, fish and hike too. The place is epic in terms of scenery and camping opportunities are plentiful.
2. Moss Lake Motorcycle Trail
Head into the Hiawatha National FOrest and you’ll come across the Moss Lake Motorcycle Trail. This spot hasn’t been opened for that long but has already gained a lot of popularity especially on weekends. The fact that this is opened all year-round adds to the popularity so we recommend rocking up early on weekends. The Flowing Well Campground is highly recommended for an overnight stay.
3. Turtle Ridge ORV Park
A lot of dirt bike riders across Michigan talk about Turtle Ridge and it has n almost cult-like feel. To get there, you actually have to go across via ferry boat on to Drummond Island and there is a ferry that leaves every hour or so, with more frequent crossings during peak times. The island is reserved for offroad vehicles with tight single forest tracks plus camping, showers and a restaurant to keep things more civil.
4. Bundy Hill Offroad Park
Bundy Hill gets damn popular because it offers so many challenges and practice areas. This is one of those spots where you’ll want to phone them up before heading out or camping overnight. You’ll get plenty of hill climbs, tight single track for exploring in 2nd or 3rd gear, as well as some water crossings to make things interesting.
5. St. Helen Motorsport Area
More than 50 miles make up the St. Helen Motorsport Area with several long and wooded loops. There is also some sandy spots worth checking out if you’re keen to really twist that throttle of yours hard. There are staging areas that allow for toy haulers to rock up as well as the Saint Helend Campground which has direct trail access.
6. Little O and Big O Motorcycle Trails
We definitely recommend adding both Little O and BIg O to your itinerary. These are apart of the Michigan Cross Country Cycle Trail and the track is hard packed and fast-flowing. Don’t be suprrised if you finally get up into the top end of your gears. Aim for Carrieville Campground if you’re staying overnight or North County Campground.
7. Ogemaw Sport and Trail Centre
Ogemaw is really best for dirt bikes looking for a motocross track and families wanting an open PeeWee Track. That said, stay overnight here and you’ll get direct trail access to Ambrose Lake State Forest. This will give you access to hundreds of miles of trails. It’s best to stay 2 nights if you want to see it all.
8. Gladwin ORV Scramble Area
For those that don’t want to go camping and prefer the thrill of a day-trip, then Gladwin within Au Sable State Forest is ideal. This is near Little Molasses River and the staging area provides access to both southern and northern loops, as well as access to the Michigan Cross Country Trail Network.
9. Silver Lake State Park
Silver Lake is the place to go if you want to ride sand dunes in the state of Michigan. This spot is popular and then even run racing events here. You’ll need both a Michigan ORV and Recreation Passport Sticker. There aren’t any campgrounds on-site and you can’t camp in the staging area, though you can head to one of the nearby campgrounds which offer some primitive camping options.
10. Holly Oaks ORV Park
For open country where you won’t be clipping tree branches with the handlebars, we can recommend Holly Oaks. This spot is popular with 4×4’s as well as UTV’s and ATV’s. Of course, dirt bikes are welcome and you can stay overnight at Groveland Oaks County Park and Campground.
11. Little Maniestee Trails
Little Manistee actually hooks in with Little O and Big O Trails. If you’re already doing those tracks then add this one to the agenda too. This associated campground is ideal for staging too and it’s best to check in early on a Friday afternoon before the rest of the state suddenly rocks up.
12. Sandtown Motorcycle Trail
Sandtown is a trail worth exploring with lots of forest canopy cover. Unlike most trail systems in Michigan, this one is open to dirt bikes only (including dual-sport and adventure riders with camping gear) and this 32 mile loop actually hooks in with the Newberry-Rexton Trail for an additional 40+ miles. No camping areas here though some adventures take the opportunity to do some stealth camping off the trail.
Start Revving
Literally. Start revving! This generation has become one of riders who typically hang by watching YouTube videoes more than actually listening to their own thumping 4-stroke. If you want to really experience life, then get out there and use the phone to capture your own footage!
Electric motorcycles appear all the rage for this decade, but what about electric adventure motorcycles and their future?
Will they ever become mainstream and sustainable? This really depends on some factors.
Adventure motorcycles are used for long-distance riding where large fuel tanks are necessary between fuel stations. Thus, an electric dual-sport motorcycle isn’t commercially viable right now and isn’t likely to be during this decade. Currently, the range on the main electric adventure motorbikes in the market is less than 150 miles or 240 kilometres.
Let’s not forget that most riders love the tune of a humming 4-stroke on a highway, so this is probably some time away.
Electric Adventure Motorcycles
Right now the only sustainable electric ADV bike is the Zero Black Forest Edition. Yet this bike can get you to 160 miles before needing a recharge. Can you recharge this in a tent? Unlikely.
The technology in these bikes is amazing and the ride is very silent. Yet the bike is only ideal for weekend riders who are looking to come straight back home.
Let’s consider that most adventure riders will ride for 300+ miles per day. The charging time on electric times is considerably high and we aren’t likely to see genuine dual-sport riders hanging around the gas station for hours waiting for a top-up. Likewise, they aren’t camping there either!
Not only is the fuel issue but the sound issue. Who doesn’t love the sound of that 4-stroke on the highway? There’s also the joy of working on the engine on the side of the track.
Then again – much of the mechanics are the same otherwise. The tyres and brakes are the same, as is the seat and controls, just the throttle is more twitchy. You’ll find the handling to be different as the backend is more easily to slip out on some roads.
Going Forward
For now, the offroad motorcycling market will stay owned by petrol-driven motorcycles. The exception is MX bikes which are used in closed-circuits and are optimized for lap times. Additionally, there are now electric side-by-sides.
Manufacturers will need to be waiting until batteries can really go the distance, as well as charge quickly. Bonus points if solar charging can be amplified through smaller panels. For now – that just isn’t happening.
Oh boy! Washington is so spoiled with their extensive dirt bike riding trails which are just begging to be explored on 2 wheels.
The type of places that much of North America will never see because they’re lost in the abyss of Facebook and Instagram. Trust us – that’s no way to live an good life.
Just like you, we prefer the roar of a 4-stroke preferably at full throttle. With so many great riding trails around, you’ll be back on the seat in next to no time!
Best Dirt Bike Trails Washington
We looked far and wide for riding tracks in and around Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Bellevue and Kent. While they have some great MX clubs and tracks for closed-circuit racing and children’s skills development, we much love the wide-open nature of enduro trails. The type that you can explore with a buddy or two…preferably way behind you, right?
Further more, it’s our preference as dirt bike enthusiasts to find areas where you can camp overnight. This way you’re not having to drive home on the interstate after a tough day of riding through the terrain. That’s seriously tiring!
Through our research, these are the best dirt bike trails in all of Washington:
1. Mad River Dirt Bike Trails
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the best places to ride dirt bikes in Washinton State and our pick is Mad River. There are trails here as far as the eye can see. Most of the riders who come here are a little more experienced but that doesn’t sotp beginners from rocking up and trying out these trails.
You’ll also find Miller Peak here which is rated quite highly by enduro riders for its rugged terrain. Both spots are really tight forested tracks where 1st or 2nd gear is most likely to be used. Your clutch finger is sure to get a workout here!
There are both paid and free options for camping with several areas set aside that have direct trail access. Most riders choose to use Goose Creek though they do charge a few coins to stay here overnight and without much in the way of facilities. Still – you’re in a world-class riding area and Mad River in our opinion is the best riding in all of Washington.
2. Capitol State Forest
With 89 miles of dirt bike trails to explore, Capital State Forest does make an excellent day trip provided you leave home early. There are two sections of the State Forest with only the northern half reserved for dirt bikes and they are banned in the southern section.
If you’re not keen to ride home after a tough day of riding, then you can stay overnight at the Middle Waddell Campground. This spot actually offers direct trail access and with 24 sites with a toilet provided, it allows you to get some decent rest. Unfortunately no showers.
A Washington Discover Pass will be needed before riding any trail within Capitol State Forest. Buy one before going into the park since there aren’t any self pay kiosks available. This region is closed during Winter and for much of Spring too.
3. Conconully, Washington
Conconully is well known among dirt bike riders of Washington for its mixed terrain. This is located within Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and under management from the Methow Valley Ranger Dististrinct. There are hundreds of miles to explore so we recommend bringing 2 to 3 extra fuel cans in the back of the truck for extra range.
If you camp at Conconully State Park, you’ll get direct trail access. There are about 60 sites and big RV’s (the toy hauler variety) are welcome here with good clearance from trees. If this is full then you can head to one of the numerous resorts, cabins or other campgrounds in the area. Nothing is more than 20 minutes away and there are services close too including fuel.
This is definitely the place where you’ll want to reserve a few days to explore every single trail and develop your skills behind the handlebars. Most riders rock up Friday afternoon and depart Sunday evening. It certainly gets busy on weekends though out on the trails you don’t see too many other riders because the forest is so spread out.
4. Blue Lake and High Lakes Trail Systems
The Blue Lake and High Lakes Trail System is pretty epic and we rank this quite highly, and it’s highly regarded among dirt bike riders of Washington for its varied terrain. Being quite mountaneous, it’s best for intermediate and experienced riders who are grouped together for safety.
Our pick for a campground here is the North Fork Campground though there are serval others worht checking out such as Cat Creek. This spot is so far removed from civilization that you’ll want to spend a few days here soaking it up and away from social media and all the troubles of the world.
You’ll need to get a Permit ahead of time as well as area maps. You’ll be rewarded immensely with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. This region is open for half the year, closing in Winter and for much of Spring.
5. Batey Bould Dirt Bike Trails
Head to Batey Bould if you’re looking for an excellent day trip. There is some really challenging terrain here that’s ideal for the experienced rider. This is near Little Pend Oreille and actually ties in with this trail system, so it’s best to do both trails on the same day. Pack a GPS so you don’t get lost.
This place is open throughout Summer and partially in the shoulder seasons. There are four campsites which means you’ll want to come in early. It’s best to call the Ranger before you head in to avoid disappointment, but you could always go over to Little Pend Oreille if it’s full.
6. Tahuya State Forest Trail System
Well known among 4×4 enthusiasts is the Tahuya State Forest Trail System. With almost 200 miles of trails to explore, you’re going to need to set aside an entire weekend to make it through everything. You get the choice here of dust in summer or mud in the rainy season. What’s your choice?
Most riders just time their trip for a few days post heavy rainfall. This makes for the perfect environment. This gets really busy on weekends so aim for a mid-week ride if you can and choose either Mission Creek or Elfendahl Pass as your staging area. Camping is available here in several places with most people choosing Tahya River Horse Camp, though it’s best to call before you rock up incase they are running events.
7. Evans Creek ORV Area
Let’s say you want the best of both words: Some easy single track to navigate paired with some tight technical trails with nerve-racking off-camber sections. Well – you’ll find that at Evans Creek ORV Area. When you’ve conquered each section, you’re rewarded with the most breath-taking views of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding landscape.
If you’re keen to stay the night, then you can stay in he designatued campground within Snoqualmie National Forest. There are 23 sites with a vault toilet but no showers unfortunately. Both riding and camping will require a Northwest Forest Park and you can get these online in advance to avoid disappointment.
8. Walker Valley ORV Area
Walker Valley is North of Seattle yet isn’t rated no where near as high as many others on this list, but worth the mention! There are many technical trails here which are best done as a group rather than tackling this on your own. That said – dual-sport and adventure riders tend to visit here often looking for some epic camping opportunities and some genuine solitude without needing to commit to a long day behind the handlebars.
There are almost 40 miles to explore on 2 wheels which makes this area primed for a day trip. Like many places on this list, you’ll need a Washinton State Discover Pass to get inside. The camping areas are primitive but there are vault toilets available but no showers, unfortunately. Again – this spot is best for those looking for an easy day trip from Seattle given that you can get on the trails within the hour.
9. Jones Creek Trail System
The Jones Creek Trail System has been around for almost 50 years now and has one-way forest trails which makes things much safer for beginners to the world of dirt biking. Better yet – these trails are rated so you won’t wander into a section that you’re not ready yet. Pro-tip: Take a phone of the map at the entrance with your cell phone before you go riding off to explore.
Jones Creek is within Yacolt Burn State Forest and there are dozens of miles of loose single track which is maintained by the Jones Creek Trail Riders Association volunteer base. A Discover Pass is needed and yes, this is the same one for the State of Washington National Parks. Get yourself an annual pass and you’re set for the year.
Now, you can’t camp at the staging area though if you drive about 15 minutes away then you’ll find Dougan Creek Campground. Only tent sites here but there is a toilet and a very popular swimming hole to wash off the mud from a day of riding.
10. Mission Ridge
Up for the mission? Because you’ll find it at Mission Ridge where more than 50 miles of single track through tight forest trails are waiting for you. While the surface is hard-packed, you’ll have trees clipping your handlebars and some gnarly hill climbs to make things interesting. Watch out for the sharp drop offs too on the edges of the mountains.
Unfortunately, Mission Ridge is closed for most of the year to dirt bikes and ATV riders. This is due to elk calving season. No camping facilities noted but there are spots within the National Forest nearby worth exploring.
11. Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail System
With almost 70 miles to explore on 2 wheels, Little Pend Oreille is worth the trip. The pine forests also make for excellent camping. This is near Batey Bould so it’s best to do both in the same journey by bringing extra fuel.
The trails are faster than typical forest tracks so you’ll see 3rd or even 4th gear on occasions. There are some man-made jumps too if you’re into pushing the limits a little too.
12. Ahtanum State Forest
We’ve left one of the best spots until last! For the enduro rider who wants to see their top-end gears (because you haven’t really hit 5th recently, have you?) then Ahtanum State Forest is ideal. There are some open sections that really let riders let the throttle loose with 70+ miles of great trails.
Much of this spot is for 4×4 use but you can share the trails here quite easily, but just slow down in the blind corners. One of the best things about this spot is that you can actually ride and camp for free. There aren’t that many places in Washington that allow this! However, you’ll need to get a Discover Pass first which you can claim online.
Getting Started
Yep – it’s really time to get started. Clearly Washington has some epic dirt bike tracks around. If you are keen to get out there, then the time is now (provided you’re not reading this in winter, of course). Likewise, if you haven’t yet bought a dirt bike, then you’re in the right place.
Frontaer has been helping the offroad motorcycling community for a while now with some of the best gear around town. We’re also more than happy to show you where to go riding instead of keeping these spots secretive like other sites.
From here, it’s time to get out there and explore. If you’re from out of state, then the locals are quite friendly and receptive to those coming in to explore the region. There are also some Facebook groups of local riders from Seattle and Spokane if you need some new riding buddies.
Have you ever wondered if those street machines from Indian Motorcycles can actually handle going off the beaten path?
It does seem on the surface that all that beauty shouldn’t be ruined, but sometimes you don’t have a choice. Perhaps you live on a property without sealed roads.
Indian Motorcycles can be ridden on unsealed dirt roads, though cannot handle bumpy terrain or typical dirt bike riding environments. They are designed to be ridden on the bitumen and their heavy weights don’t lend themselves well to riding in any other environment.
These bikes belong on long stretches of highway or cruising along the esplanade on a Sunday afternoon. While you can take them on to a dirt road to reach a destination, we’d be taking it slowly as you don’t want the back end to slide out.
Indian Motorcycles Offroad
If you happen to be looking at a capable motorcycle that can be used for very comfortable and ergonomic cruising on the streets with an incredible look, yet with some mild capabilities offroad, then we can think of motorcycles way better than the Indians. For example, the 850GS and 1200GS editions from BMW lend themselves well to being a highway cruiser with some potential to be taking along a dirt track.
Now – don’t get us wrong. Here at Frontaer, we absolutely love the Indian Motorcycles and they have a solid reputation in the cruiser world. For a country-wide tour on the black top, there’s no better bike to get the job done well.
However, there are times that you find a great spot on the map but it’s, unfortunately, an unsealed road. There is then the question of risking the bike or risking the opportunity of not seeing the landmark. Tough choice!
Should you find yourself in this situation, you’ll be wishing you had bought a more capable bike for offroad use. Indian Motorcycles are heavy to handle at lower speeds, and on dirt roads, you’ll certainly be traveling at these lower speeds as you’ll be worried about scratching the undercarriage with rocks and debris.
Better Choices
We wouldn’t advise you at all to sell your Indian motorcycle. Most riders keep these for life, or at the least, only upgrade every 10 years or so.
So if you did want to ride offroad, you could either get yourself a dual-sport or adventure-orientated motorcycle for some company in the stable at home. There is nothing wrong with having 2 motorcycles, provided the accountant agrees! Some great choices include the ever-popular models from BMW or even a Royal Enfield which make excellent adventures, both on the bitumen and away from the crowds.
Likewise, you might want to consider a registered dirt bike that can be ridden to and from the local trails. These bikes aren’t really adventure-happy but are light and nimble, and even someone in their 50’s and 60’s can throw these around on any track.
It’s Possible
Now – don’t get us wrong. It’s still possible to ride your Indian offroad and indeed thousands of riders have done it. This can hurt your resale value and your insurance may not cover you in the event of an accident, depending on where you are riding that is.
The main issue is the heavier weights and the rocks flying up and scratching the paintwork. Then there’s the big job of cleaning your motorcycle afterwards which could take hours. This is time that you could otherwise be spending riding!
So you’ve got to make the ultimate choice. Do you risk your existing bike or do you buy an additional bike to stock in the garage? We’d take the later every single day.
So you’re looking to find some trails in which to ride your dirt bike. Frontaer has you covered with legal Australian tracks.
We have built numerous state by state guides to help you get out there and explore our own country. No one else was really doing this properly for the local riding community, so we stepped in and volunteer hundreds of hours to the cause.
Dirt Bike Tracks Australia-Wide
While the greenies keep trying to shutdown riding areas to protect the endangered tadpoles, luckily there are numerous options. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Victorian High Country are highly regarded as epic places to go riding for free.
Likewise, there are some good private riding parks around that are still open, despite the rising insurance premiums. It’s a damn good time to be alive and get out there, especially with 250’s and 450’s being readiliy available.
When we started out riding many moons ago, it was hard to know actually where you could legally take a dirt bike in Australia. Some sites were owned by people who didn’t even live in Australia. Frontaer is run by Frontaer Pty Ltd. What does that mean? We’re a real Australian company. Yeah mate! 😃
And so, we want to help you by finding some epic places to let that throttle loose and get that back tyre spinning. Not the motocross tracks so much. Yes, we love racing and enduro especially, but we wanted national forests and government crown land with fire tracks. Essentially, free riding areas that the local councils and let us ride in without the hassle of the police chasing us down.
We always wanted to know what riding parks were available too just in case we had a few bucks spare in the bank account to pay the entrance fees. Plus a few hours spare to haul there and back. You’ll notice that many of those pay + play + camp spots are just hours and hours outside of our capital cities. Politics man!
The State by State Guide
It’s been 100+ hours putting this all together for everyone. We don’t even accept donations here at Frontaer. We simply want you to have a good time out there on the dirt trails. We’d appreciate some help if we’ve missed riding areas in any of these guys. Just give us a holla.
Likewise, we’d appreciate it if you could share this on your Facebook profiles and groups. This really helps others to know where they could be riding and places they’ve been missing out on recently.
How do you get the guides? Click on the city name and you’ll be taken to an individual city/state guide for your hometown. Check out the other states too if you’re ever over for a holiday.
Queensland is the home of dirt bikes nationally and just about everything else for outdoor enthusiasts. Even in winter, the weather is mild and it hardly rains too. What does this mean? Sunny weekends paired with cool politicians that still let us riding close to the city. Note that we created seperate riding area guides for the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast too. Toowoomba/Ipswich are included in our Brisbane list.
While very well known as the nanny state of Australia, Victoria surprisingly has dozens of places to ride a dirt bike. Many of these spots are near Melbourne too with day-trips relatively easy. Get there early (8am) and with an extra jerry can, you can ride all day and load up late in the afternoon with a Maccas run on the way home.
Adelaide is the nanny city with too many churches and not enough places to ride dirt bikes. You’ve essentially gotta haul up and go 2 hours out of town and away from the bereaucrats. From here, you’ll find yourself some freedom up the Riverland way, down near Coorong or out towards the Flinders Ranges and beyond.
The rich property devleopers of Sydney have bought up tracks of land that we used to ride on, but not all of ’em just yet. You’d think they would have enough money already, right? Sydney does have some good tracks though most of these are private riding areas. Just like Adelaide, you’ll have to haul up and drive for a couple of hours to find anything decent.
Perth isn’t backwards. In fact, they’re very much forward-thinking when it comes to dirt bikes. Must be the huge FIFO crowd that needs to let off some steam on their days off. There are numerous places to ride in Perth though most of these are private riding parks where you have to pay an entrance fee. There has been some community involvement recently and they’ve opened up some free riding areas too.
We created a seperate guide for Northern NSW because Lismore, Byron and Coffs Harbour do have some really pristine country to ride dirt bikes. Most of these spots are private areas (pay to play) though there are some 4×4 tracks to run down if your dirt bike is legal. The good thing about this region is the laid back nature of people and you can ride on the beach in some spots.
Yep – we haven’t forgotten about Darwin. Surprisingly, there isn’t much in the city centre where you can ride a dirt bike unless you count the motocross track. You’ve gotta haul up and head at least an hour out of town to find anything decent. Certainly, it’s an adventure riding heaven with dual-sporters always dropping in on their 2-wheel trip around Australia.
Who could forget the nation’s capital? We’ve certainly thought about Canberra and certainly there aren’t that many trails around the city. You’ve gotta get a couple of hours out of town and you’ll find some good yet gnarly tracks around. The best part is that the tracks are pretty well quite in the winter months and you might even see some snow.
Closing off this list is Cairns which has some great dirt bike riding tracks, but most importantly, the freedom that we’re all chasing. If the southern states could learn a thing or two, it’s that riding areas need to stay open for tourism. We can’t let the greenies take over everything, right? Let’s not forget about Mackay or Townsville either.
Riding It Out
There you have it! Some epic places in which you can explore with the hum of a 4-stroke and the smell of petrol leaking out of the fuel cap. No better way to spend our weekends!
We recommend that you join in with one of the several dirt bike groups on Facebook. The Dual-Sports Riders Association is a great one to look out for and they organize group rides on private property. A great way to meet other fellow riders who share the same passion.
If you’re looking to ride around Australia with a dirt bike, then you certainly can do this. Dozens of people have and the 450cc to 700cc class is ideal if you want to mix some highway KMs with some offroad gravel tracks along the way. You’ll probably want to get a Safari Tank as there are some long distances between fuel stops and the prices aren’t too impressive.
Then again, the 250L by Honda with the adventure fairings is a pretty capable bike. If the budget is tight, then there’s seriously good value with a light frame and plenty of mods to suit.
