Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles ride along a trail in the Northwoods. Officials are asking riders to be safe, obey the law and respect local property owner's rights.
With summer officially about to begin, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and local law enforcement departments want to remind off-road vehicle riders to follow off-road-vehicle safety rules and land-use regulations, riding only where ORVs legally are permitted.
"To ensure everyone's safety and the protection of our natural resources, ORV riders are cautioned to only ride their machines where it's legal to operate them," said Cpl. John Morey, DNR ORV and snowmobile coordinator. "
Gogebic County Sheriff's Department Deputy Brandon Lyons said riders need to slow down and make sure to wear a helmet. Lyons also warned riders to not mix alcohol with operating an ORV.
"Law enforcement is there to make sure users have fun, safely," Lyons said.
ORV trail system
ORV use on designated trails is limited depending on the type of designated ORV trail and the ORV width. Off-trail or off-route ORV operation outside of a designated trail is prohibited, except for licensed hunters removing deer, bear or elk and operating an ORV at speeds of 5 miles-per-hour or less and traveling to the harvested game using the shortest possible route.
Michigan's ORV trail system has three basic types of trails, including:
-Motorcycle-only trails maintained at a 28-inch width.
-50-inch-wide trails open to ORVs that are 50 inches wide or less.
-ORV routes maintained at a width of 72 inches.
Snowmobile trails
Snowmobile trails normally are not designated ORV trails/routes, making them illegal for ORV operation. Snowmobile trails are indicated by numbered "diamond shape" markers.
State parks, national forests
ORVs generally are prohibited on state game areas or state parks and recreation areas.
In all national forests, motor vehicles can be used only on roads, trails or areas that are designated as open on motor vehicle use maps.
Public roads
Roads, streets and highways maintained for year-round automobile travel (including the shoulder and the right-of-way) are closed to ORV operation unless designated open to ORV use by local ordinance. Lyons said county roads permit off road vehicles unless posted. He advised riders to travel single-file on the far right edge of the blacktop at 25 mph.
Private land
Private land is closed to ORV operation except by the landowner and the landowner's invited guests.
Caring for the environment
An ORV may not be operated in a manner that creates an erosive condition. Michigan's soils and shorelines are fragile, and ORV operation in these areas and along stream banks and other waterways is prohibited. It is unlawful to operate any ORV in or on the waters of any stream, river, marsh, bog, wetland or quagmire.
