Getting Oriented
Drummond Island lies in northern Lake Huron off the eastern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, in Chippewa County, reachable only by car ferry from De Tour Village. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages the island's off-road network on Lake Superior State Forest land, and it counts as the largest closed-loop ORV system in the state. The DNR designates the network as ORV Route 47 and ORV Trail 35, with roughly 60 miles of 50-inch ATV trail and about 40 miles of wider 72-inch ORV route. Turtle Ridge Off-Road Park, a separate operation, sits inside this same landscape but is privately run.
Trail Overview
The DNR splits the system into two classes. ATV trails are signed for machines 50 inches or less, including dirt bikes. ORV routes are open to vehicles of all sizes, and the map further marks some 72-inch routes as high-clearance required or 4x4 and high-clearance required. Those marked segments are where full-size trucks and Jeeps crawl exposed limestone and dolomite ledges, while the two-track connectors and gravel roads between them stay easy. Trails and routes carry two-way traffic, so line of sight matters on the rock. All of it requires a Michigan ORV license and trail permit.
Points of Interest
- Marble Head: a limestone bluff that drops about 90 feet to the False Detour Channel of Lake Huron, reached by ORV route and a short walk to the edge.
- The Steps at Marble Head: stacked rock shelves below the overlook.
- South Marble Head Loop: the only Jeep Badge of Honor trail in Michigan.
- Turtle Ridge Off-Road Park: a private, limestone rock-crawling park off South Maxton Road, with an upper (all-levels) and a lower (advanced to extreme) section.
- Glen Cove and Bass Cove: shoreline access points near the eastern trail cluster.
Where to Camp
Drummond Island Township Park keeps a campground on Maxton Bay near the trail network, and the DNR permits dispersed camping on state forest land. Several resorts and cabins on the island cater to riders who want a base with a garage or trailer parking. Confirm current campground status before a trip.
Permits and Regulations
Riding the DNR trails and routes requires a Michigan ORV license ($26.25) plus an ORV trail permit ($10.00), for $36.25 combined. Both run from April 1 through March 31 regardless of purchase date and are sold through the DNR eLicense system, the Hunt Fish app, and license agents. ORVs need a functioning spark arrestor, and operators must wear a helmet. The private Turtle Ridge park charges its own fee ($10 per vehicle daily or $45 annually) and does not require the state permit.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Time the ferry. The Drummond Island Ferry crosses the De Tour Passage roughly hourly, holds about 36 vehicles, and collects fares onboard in cash or check only.
- Bring recovery gear. Sharp limestone edges cut sidewalls, and wet rock turns slick.
- Watch the bluffs. The Marble Head overlook is unfenced above a long drop.
- Carry the DNR map. Interior cell coverage is spotty and the network branches often.
- Fuel and stock up before the interior. Services near the ferry landing keep limited seasonal hours.
Fuel and Water
Fuel, groceries, and supplies concentrate near the ferry landing on the island's west side and in De Tour Village on the mainland. Both keep limited seasonal hours, so top off the tank and carry water and food before heading into the interior trails, where there are no services.
Nearby
Turtle Ridge Off-Road Park sits within the same limestone terrain as a private alternative. Maxton Plains, a DNR-protected alvar grassland, and the Fossil Ledges lie elsewhere on the island. De Tour Village anchors the mainland side, and Sault Ste. Marie is about an hour and a half northwest. In winter the island shifts to snowmobiling, with the ferry running year-round.