How to Ride Over 4,000 Miles of Michigan Trails Free This August

If you’ve been looking for a good reason to dust off the quad, dirt bike, or side-by-side and hit the trails, Michigan is handing you one on a silver platter in mid-August.

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has set its second Free ORV Weekend of the year for Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Hit the Trails For Free August 15-16

For two full days, both Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can legally ride all 4,000+ miles of state-designated off-road trails, routes, and six scramble areas without needing to buy an ORV license or trail permit.

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That includes high-demand spots like Silver Lake Sand Dunes as well as Holly Oaks ORV Park over in Oakland County, where normal entrance fees will also be waived for the weekend.

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Rules Still Apply

Even though the permit fees are waived for 48 hours, standard state off-road regulations still stand:

• Gear: Helmets and eye protection are required.
• Entry: You still need a Recreation Passport where applicable.
• Rigs: Bring your own machine or rental (the DNR doesn't provide them).
• Cleanliness: Wash off mud and trail debris to prevent spreading invasive plants.

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Be safe and have fun! Seems like the perfect excuse to load up the trailer and spend a couple of days outdoors before summer winds down.