Northern Michigan’s Crawford and Otsego counties sit inside one of the largest ORV riding areas in the Midwest. The Grayling and Gaylord area connects to thousands of miles of state forest roads open to SXS machines. The Frederic Loop runs 29 miles near Frederic, and it ties into the Kalkaska trail system for 100+ more miles. You’ll need a Michigan ORV license and trail permit to ride. Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground in Frederic is right in the middle of it all.
Is the Grayling area good for SXS trail riding?
It’s one of the best spots in the Lower Peninsula. Crawford County has millions of acres of state and federal land. Nearly 12,000 miles of state forest roads are open year-round to off-road vehicle use. That’s a lot of ground to cover. Grayling Michigan
The terrain around Grayling and Frederic is mostly sandy two-tracks through dense pine and hardwood forest. It’s not technical rock-crawling. It’s long rides through quiet woods with good visibility and room to move. That suits most SXS riders just fine — especially those who’d rather cover miles than crawl obstacles.
You can build a full weekend out here without riding the same road twice.
What do I need to know about trail width for my SXS?
This is the most important thing to understand before you ride here. Designated ORV trails are maintained at a 50-inch width. ORV routes are maintained at a 72-inch width. Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Most modern SXS machines run 60 inches wide or more. That means you’re legal on ORV routes and open state forest roads — but not on the narrow designated ORV trails. The good news is that Michigan has more than 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails and routes, plus thousands of miles of open state forest roads. Plenty of that mileage works for a full-size machine. Michigan
The Frederic Loop ORV Trail is 29 miles long and open to ORVs less than 50 inches in width — so it typically accommodates ATVs and motorcycles, not most SXS machines. Stick to the ORV routes and forest roads and you’ll have no issues. Grayling Michigan
Before you ride, download the DNR’s interactive map at Michigan.gov/ForestRoads. It shows what’s open, what’s closed, and what’s limited to conventional vehicles.
Where do SXS riders actually ride near Grayling and Frederic?
The state forest roads in Crawford County are your best bet. They’re two-tracks through miles of public land — no private property issues, no tight trail restrictions.
The Frederic Trail system connects via Cameron Bridge Road into the Kalkaska County trail system, which has over 100 miles available. That connection opens up serious mileage for a full-size machine. Grayling Michigan
One big bonus: Crawford County has nearly 95 miles of forest roads located within the Camp Grayling training area — open to ORV use when military training isn’t scheduled. Check the Camp Grayling Facebook page before you head out. They post weekly range firing schedules and road closures. Powersports News
Gaylord sits about 15 minutes north and has its own trail connections through Otsego County. The terrain shifts slightly — a little more roll to the hills — and there’s good riding in every direction from town.
What permits do I need to ride in Michigan?
You need two things from the Michigan DNR: an ORV license and an ORV trail permit. Both are valid for one year, starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. You can buy them online at Michigan.gov/ORVInfo. UP Travel
County roads in Crawford County have ORV ordinances that allow riding on the shoulder of some roads at up to 25 mph. That lets you connect from one trail system to another without trailering. Each township controls its own roads, so check the Crawford County ORV map before you ride county roads. Grayling Michigan
State M-roads are never open to ORV traffic. Don’t ride on them.
One more thing: if you’re riding near Camp Grayling, don’t go around any barricades you come across. Entering a closed Camp Grayling area is a civil infraction with fines up to $500. Grayling Michigan
Can I bring my dog and make a full weekend of it?
Absolutely. We’re dog-friendly here — about 75% of our guests bring dogs, and we’ve got a dog park and dog wash station right on the property. After a dusty day on the trails, both you and the dog will appreciate a rinse.
Our campground has 20 full hookup sites with water, sewer, and electric. You’re 15 minutes from Grayling and the trail access points in Crawford County. Gaylord is about 15 minutes north. You can load up the SXS in the morning, ride all day, and be back in camp for a fire by dark.
The surrounding state land has walking trails too, so non-riding days still give you plenty to do.
By the Numbers
- Michigan state-designated ORV trails and routes: 4,000+ miles (Michigan DNR)
- State forest roads open to ORV use: ~12,000 miles statewide (Michigan DNR)
- Northern Lower Peninsula state forest roads open to ORV use: ~6,300 miles (Michigan DNR)
- Frederic Loop ORV Trail: 29 miles — 50″ width limit (Crawford County / Michigan DNR)
- Kalkaska trail system connection via Cameron Bridge Road: 100+ additional miles
- Camp Grayling forest roads open to ORV when not in military use: ~95 miles (Michigan DNR)
- ORV route width limit (SXS-friendly): 72 inches (Michigan DNR)
- Distance from Hankerd’s to Grayling trail access: ~15 minutes
- Distance from Hankerd’s to Gaylord: ~15 minutes
- Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground: 20 full hookup sites, open May 1–October 31
- Nightly rate: $45 · Weekly: $250 · Monthly: $800
The Bottom Line
The Grayling and Gaylord area gives SXS riders serious mileage on public land with almost no crowds during the week. Know your machine’s width, stick to the ORV routes and open forest roads, and download the DNR map before you go. If you want a full hookup base camp right in the middle of the action, Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground in Frederic is the spot. Book online at HankerdCampgrounds.com or call 989-277-9003.
Frequently Asked Questions
My SXS is 64 inches wide. Can I ride the trails near Grayling? You can ride the ORV routes (72″ limit) and open state forest roads without a problem. Avoid the designated ORV trails, which are 50″ or less and not built for full-size machines. Most of the best riding in this area is on forest roads anyway.
Do I need to trailer to trail access, or can I ride from camp? You’ll want to trailer your machine to the trailhead. State M-roads aren’t open to ORV traffic, so you can’t ride directly from the campground to the system. That said, the Frederic and Grayling area trailheads are about 15 minutes away.
Is the Camp Grayling area open to the public for ORV riding? Yes — when military training isn’t happening. The Camp Grayling Facebook page posts weekly schedules. Always check before you go. Roads are gated when training is active, and going around a barricade is a civil infraction.
What’s the terrain like — sand or hardpack? Mostly sandy two-track through pine and hardwood forest. It’s not rocky or technical. It’s long, open riding through quiet woods. Some areas get rutted after rain, so conditions vary by season.
When’s the best time of year to ride up here? Late summer through early fall is ideal. The bugs are manageable, the trails are dry, and the fall color in late September and October is hard to beat. Spring can be muddy after snowmelt, so check conditions before you plan a trip.
About John Hankerd
John Hankerd and his wife Sue own and operate Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground in Frederic, MI — a quiet, dog-friendly retreat tucked into Michigan state land in Crawford County. They stumbled onto the property, discovered an abandoned campground that had sat empty for 20 years, and brought it back to life. John knows Northern Michigan the way only a local can. If you’re thinking about heading up north, he’s happy to point you in the right direction. Book online at HankerdCampgrounds.com or call 989-277-9003.