Has anyone ever rode at drummond island? if so what was the trails like. where can you camp at? and are they strict there. i also heard that you can drive on any rode but ony three of the roads you cannot ride on. well if anyone has ever rode there i would like to here their thoughts. thanks for the info

 

wickels

We spent a week on Drummond Island in June. I can't answer your camping questions because we rented a cottage. As for the "marked" orv trail, I wouldn't waste your time trying to ride it. The trail was designed for motorcycles and is very rocky and narrow. We only rode on it for a couple of miles and decide that was enough of that. You are allowed to ride any of the roads on the island except for the state route. The state route runs from the ferry to the first intersection and that is all. We spent most of our riding time riding the many stone roads on the island. It is a great way to explore the island. The DNR and the local sheriff are not very strict. Actually, we never saw the sheriff in the entire week we were there. We did pass two DNR agents while we were riding the stone roads. They just waved as we passed. As for riding the snowmobile trails. No one cares if you ride the ones that are on the state property (so says the locals), but they are extremely rutted from the jeep jamboree that was held in June. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

hey magnum mud man thanks for the info. do you know of any other places in the U.P. pretty close where you can ride at. i like to do alot of faster paced trail riding and mud riding. any info that you can give me would be appreciated. I have one more question. can you ride anywhere in the U.P. as long as you are on a dirt road or the shoulder of the road. i heard that but find it kinda hard to beleave.

 

Wickles45,
be very careful in the U.P to.The law says the U.P is open unless posted closed,that is NOT allways the case.All roads marked with horizontally numbered post are CLOSED in the Hiawatha National Forest in the U.P.

All roads marked with a vertically numbered sign post are open to ORV use unless posted close in the Hiawatha National Forest.

Ottawa National Forest has the SAME rules,

Bill

 

wickel

I am not really sure about other riding areas near Drummond. I did see some signs for other riding areas on the mainland when we were driving around. I am not sure about Michigan laws. From my understanding, some of the counties and townships have passed laws allowing atvs on the side of the rode similar to snowmobiles. Check with the local law enforcement prior to riding. As for the state forest roads, again check with the local DNR, but I am under the understanding that the state forest roads in the UP are open unless marked closed. Sorry I am not much help, give me a break, I am from Ohio [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Wickles;

I rode the Hiawatha Sprtsmans Club trails in June. They are pretty good. Only trouble is you or a bud have to buy an $8500 membership. LOL! (I chose to go the bud route, Ha)

If you drive 1 more hour north there is a lot of riding. Just click my link.

 

Drummond Island isn't a very good place to go ATVing, we've got a cabin up there. It's alright, but the island is not that big. I'd recommend going to Mio and/or Rose City, or Silver Lake. Mio and Rose City are right by each other, over 150 miles of trails. Mio has a sand dune, called bull gap. Lots of ATV's go up there...

Good Luck!

 

Wickels,

Rode Drummond Sun./Mon. this week. Magnum is correct in that the trails are similiar to downstate snowmobile routes with alternating state/private lands. Some will be closed. Make sure your machine is in top notch shape before you go; the rocks will win out everytime. If you ride the roads, the locals suggest slowing down and putting one tire on the shoulder with approaching traffic. Decent store with butcher at the four corners; tire guy just down the street(east). Ferry's about $22 for trailer/2 quads(round trip). Gas is around $2/gal. on the island. See Donna at the Birch Tree Resort for a quad friendly stay and boat incl. with the room on Maxton Bay(bait shop also).

 

Are you alowed to camp on the island in tents. or do you have to rent a cabin. Thanks for the help

 

Camp in the woods, but be careful because there are bears on the island. They've been at our cabin before. The also broke into the old ice cream store a while back. They are black bears. After you get off from the ferry, keep going straight into town. Turn right by the hardware store, its a dirt road. You can camp back there. Go about 2-4 miles back into the woods. The best place is when you reach the lake again, it's a good place to camp and there's not too many rocks.


Good Luck!