01
Bull Gap Trail
The classic Sunrise Coast ride. Sandy two-track rolling through jack pine, a couple shallow river crossings, one infamous hill near the namesake gap.
On land · License req'd · Forest trails
Season · April – November
Off-Road.
Hundreds of miles of sandy two-track through the Huron National Forest and Mackinaw State Forest. Bull Gap, Black Lake, and the AuSable trail system all start near US-23.
Bull Gap Trail · Huron National Forest
Trail miles
300+
Designated ORV · Huron NF
License
$26.25 / yr
Plus $10 trail permit
Best base
Oscoda
Closest to Bull Gap trailhead
Season
Apr 1 – Nov 30
Trails closed in winter
Best trails · 5 trail systems
Five rides, north to south.
Curated by Sunrise Coast Council editors. Routes, sites, and pull-offs from south to north along US-23.
02
AuSable Trail
A longer system that connects Mio to the Bull Gap area. Mix of two-track and graded gravel — easier for beginners.
03
Black Lake ORV Area
A network of short loops near Black Lake. The whoops section near the south end is a kid favorite.
04
Atlanta Trail
Connects west from the coast into elk country. Sand, gravel, occasional pavement crossing. Pull off and watch for elk at dusk.
05
Mackinaw State Forest scramble area
An open-riding area in a sand dune complex. Bring a flag pole. Don't bring inexperience.
Trail rules
A sandy two-track through the pines.
The Huron National Forest and the Mackinaw State Forest together cover almost a million acres of public land along the Sunrise Coast. A patchwork of two-track logging roads from the white-pine era was opened to recreational ORV use in the 1980s and the system has grown ever since — now over 300 miles of marked, signed, and patrolled trail.
The terrain is mostly flat to rolling, mostly sand, with occasional river crossings and a couple of named "challenge" hills. A trail permit ($10) and ORV license ($26.25) are both required and sold online. Helmets are mandatory under 18 and recommended at all ages.
300 mi
Designated trail
$36.25
License + permit
4-stroke
Required (no 2-stroke)
Off-Road · trail rules
"There is no faster way to put a hundred miles of pine between you and a paved road."— Michigan ORV Trail Atlas
Gear & know before you go
What to bring, what's provided.
What you need
- ORV license + trail permit
- Helmet (required under 18)
- Eye protection
- Whip flag (8 ft pole + flag)
Recommended
- Full-finger gloves
- Long sleeves — branches and sand
- GPS or paper trail map
- Spare belt + basic tools
Rentals nearby
- Oscoda — $250/day single-rider
- Mio — $350/day two-up
- Lessons + guided rides on request
- Most include helmets + flags
Questions · 4 answers
Off-Road on the coast — questions.
Quick answers to what travelers ask most.
Q.01
Is off-road good on Michigan's Sunrise Coast?
Yes — Hundreds of miles of sandy two-track through the Huron National Forest and Mackinaw State Forest. Bull Gap, Black Lake, and the AuSable trail system all start near US-23.
Q.02
When is the best time of year for off-road on the Sunrise Coast?
The recommended season for off-road on Michigan's Sunrise Coast is April – November. Trail miles: 300+ — Designated ORV · Huron NF.
Q.03
Where can I off-road on the Sunrise Coast?
5 trail systems along the 200-mile coast. A standout option: Bull Gap Trail — Oscoda · 30 mi loop · Sandy · Intermediate. The classic Sunrise Coast ride. Sandy two-track rolling through jack pine, a couple shallow river crossings, one infamous hill near the namesake gap.
Q.04
What gear or preparation do I need for off-road on the Sunrise Coast?
What you need: ORV license + trail permit; Helmet (required under 18); Eye protection; Whip flag (8 ft pole + flag).