Ride the trails for free during Free ORV Weekend June 7-8

Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 05/22/2014 12:15 PM EDT

Great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy Michigan's trails!
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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2014

Contact: Steve Kubisiak, 517-284-6109 or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815



Ride the trails for free during Free ORV Weekend, June 7-8

Two off-road vehicle riders on a Michigan trail.The Department of Natural Resources today announced its first-ever Free Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Weekend is set for
June 7-8. On that weekend, residents and nonresidents may ride an ORV for free; no license or trail permit required. Riders save up to $36.25.

Michigan’s public ORV trails system covers 3,700 miles of trails and routes throughout the state. Free ORV Weekend also includes the use of the state’s five scramble areas: St. Helen’s Motorsport Area, Black Lake Scramble Area, Silver Lake, Bull Gap and The Mounds. Maps of state-designated trails are available on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/orvtrails.

During Free ORV Weekend, all ORV rules and laws still apply. Riders should remember that:

  • Operators under age 16 must have a valid safety training certificate. Michigan will accept ORV/ATV education certifications that are issued by other states and provinces.
  • Operators and passengers must wear a U.S. Dept. of Transportation-approved crash helmet and protective eyewear. 

Riders are encouraged to become familiar with the Handbook of Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Laws, available online, at DNR Customer Service Centers or anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

 

ORVs include multi-track or multi-wheeled vehicles; all-terrain vehicles (ATVs); motorcycles or related multi-wheel vehicles; amphibious machines; hovercraft; 2- or 4-wheel-drive vehicles that are highway-registered but operated off-highway or off-road. Snowmobiles are not considered ORVs.

 

Free ORV Weekend was signed into law last fall as part of Public Act No. 119 of 2013, which designates one weekend per year to coincide with a Free Fishing Weekend in addition to another one or two consecutive days in each year. The next Free ORV Weekend is scheduled for Sept. 27-28. Learn more about these and other activities across the state at www.michigan.gov/dnrcalendar.


Although ORV permits and license fees are waived during Free ORV Weekend, a Recreation Passport is still required for vehicles entering Michigan state parks or recreation areas.

The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking "YES" for the $11 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, nonmotorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($31 annual, $9 daily) at any state park or recreation area or (annual passes only) through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.

Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan's outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.