Experience Thrilling Off-Road Adventures on St Helen ORV Trails
Get a Little Dirt on Your Tires Riding on the Trails in St. Helen, Michigan
ORV Trails in St Helen
Get your adrenaline pumping as you traverse the trails and make lasting memories together through Michigan's beautiful state forests. Searching for a spot to get outside and cover miles of state forest trails on your four wheeler, jeep or RZR, then add St. Helen ORV trails to your bucket list. This area is an outdoor enthusiasts dream and is easily accessible for those looking to explore on their ATV’s. Roscommon County has the largest miles of trails in the entire lower Michigan.
Our family of six visited in the fall, which was gorgeous with the changing leaf color, but this area can be enjoyed in all four season, including the snowy winter months along the snowmobile trails. Here is a summary of our experience which can serve as a guide when riding on the ORV trails in St. Helen.
St Helen ORV Trails
TIP ** Did you know Michigan has a free ORV weekend, June 7-8 and Aug 16-17, 2025. Experience Michigan’s 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails without an ORV license or trail permit.
Plenty to Do in the Area
Easily spend a weekend or entire week in this beautiful destination in Michigan. Off-road adventures are just one of the numerous activities to enjoy. With plenty to do, we spent three days in Houghton Lake Area ORVing, hiking the trails, dining, fishing on the lake, shopping, geocaching and visiting the CCC museum and Michigan state parks. Read our full trip guide here, including a 3 day itinerary.
Family Fun ORVing in Michigan
The ORV Trails At a Glance
Location St. Helen ORV trails are located approximately 20 miles from Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake in Roscommon County, Michigan. It’s the perfect place to head for an exciting Michigan day trip and isn’t too far off 1-75.
Distance St Helen's has 50 miles of trails with both two-track and single-track.
Special Features A sand pit, 6 rock scramble areas in the St. Helen Motorsport Area.
Types of Trails The trails are open to mixed traffic, which includes dirt bikes, quads and 50-inch UTV's. Trails are differentiated by posted signs.
Signs posted designated mixed traffic
Cost: Make sure to reference all Michigan ORV laws and purchase an ORV license sticker ($26.25) and ORV trail permit ($10), when operating on ORV trails on state land. You can obtain these ORV licenses and trail permits through the Michigan DNR eLicense system online, or in person at ORV dealers, sporting goods stores to popular ones are Spicer’s Boat City in Houghton Lake or St. Helen Power Sports.
Difficulty Level Rated Easy - Challenging, customized to your liking.
Dogs are allowed on the ORV trails in St. Helen, although they must be on a leash and you need to clean up after your dog.
Children ages 12-17, must complete their OHV/ORV safety course to operate an ATV on Michigan state land. This course can be completed online and costs $29.50.
Clear Signage Signs are posted throughout the trails delineating the different sizes and vehicles that are allowed.
Parking/ Trailhead There are two parking lots.
St Helen ORV Trail Indian Springs Lookout (off 1-75/ M55) This parking lot has no restrooms, and is centrally located in the trails.
St Helen Airport Road ( Old M-76 & Airport Road) Located closer to St Helen Motorsport Area and access to a vault toilet.
Pick up a trail map of St Helen ORV trails
Here is a picture of the trails to get a big picture of the vast ground the trails cover. Reference the official online trail maps here.
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Before you Go
Know the ORV Rules and Regulations Keep everyone in your party safe by understanding all the rules, age limits etc.
Pick up Maps A great place to start your adventure is at the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Board. This was the first place we stopped to grab trail maps, pamphlets, learn about area festivals and upcoming events. The friendly staff are knowledgeable and can help recommend restaurants, hikes and activities.
Purchase ORV Tags and Stickers
ORV Trail Tags and Permits are Required
Before we hit the trails, we stopped at Spicer's Boat City in Houghton Lake to purchase our ORV license and ORV trail permit, and of course check out their massive showroom filled with ATV's, snowmobiles and watercrafts. This store has everything you need for recreational sports from vehicle parts and ORV permits to accessories, and apparel. Plus free popcorn to snack on while you wait.
You can obtain ORV licenses and trail permits through the Michigan DNR eLicense system online, or in person at ORV dealers, sporting goods store.
Fuel Up
Prepare yourself for an epic day by gassing up! Luckily there are several gas stations near the trail entrance and parking lots.
What To Expect
Thrilling, edge-of-your-seat family fun is in store when you visit Saint Helen ORV Trail System. In my opinion, there is no better time than October to hit the trails to experience autumn color, but this area can be enjoyed in every season. Boasting the largest area of ORV trails in lower Michigan, miles and miles of scenic trails are waiting to be enjoyed.
On this balmy fall day, our family was pumped to explore the trails. We hauled our dirt bikes, quads and ORV’s and set out for an epic day of family-fun.
Fall Colors on the ORV Trails
On a crisp fall day, we pulled into St. Helen's south parking lot. It’s a big lot, but did fill up quite quickly. From the south parking lot, we headed north and right off the bat hit some deep sand. After talking to some locals we found out the DNR recently dumped a massive amount of sand into the higher trafficked areas. I recommend this north section for for RZR's, Razors, Jeeps and ATV's, the deep sand was a bit challenging and exhausting for my son on his dirt bike. This section also has the rock scramble and sand pit.
After taking a quick break, we spent the afternoon crisscrossing the trails to the south, thankfully the terrain consisted of hard-packed dirt and shallower sand. This was better suited for our four wheelers and dirt bikes, especially for beginners.
We didn't have to worry about any low-lying sections or puddles in the fall, although we did encounter sections with whoops and a few moderate- steep climbs, that my children loved.
What to Bring
ORV permits, ATV's, Helmets, Water Bottles, Snacks. Additionally, make sure that if your children are between 12-17, they complete their ORV safety class to operate an ATV on state land.
Which Trail Route to Choose
St. Helen Northern Trails The trails and sections by the motorsport area have deeper sand, which we learned was recently dumped into the higher trafficked areas. This area is best for RZR's, Razors and ATV's, whereas the deep sand proved to be a bit challenging for dirt bikes. It includes a wide open deep sand pit, plus the St. Helen MotorSport area and rock scrambles.
Sand Pit on St. Helen ORV trails
St Helen Rock Scramble Area
This area is best for 4x4 jeeps who want a challenge. With six rock scrambles, it draws hard-core, experienced drivers wanting to tackle the boulders. Tip: If you plan on tackling the 6 rock scramble areas go slow and you may want to let air out of your tires down to around 10 to 20 PSI to help navigate the rocky terrain and obstacles. Be prepared, here are some additional tips if you’re itching to scale the course.
St. Helen Southern Trails Later in the afternoon we traversed the southern trails, thankfully the terrain was largely comprised of hard-packed dirt and sand. We preferred this area which was better suited for four wheelers and dirt bikes, especially for beginners. The trails were gorgeous and also offered a few moderately steep climbs, which got your adrenaline pumping.
Moderate Climb at St. Helen ORV Trails
Visitors can get on the trail system and travel all the way from St. Helen to Roscommon to Prudenville via the extensive DNR ORV trails.
Thanks to the money from purchases of ORV stickers, plus DNR grants through the Off-Road Vehicle Trail Improvement Fund and local business owners outdoor motorists can enjoy the added rock scramble terrain.
The St. Helen area beckons ORV enthusiasts from all over the state of Michigan, from advanced ORVers, who are looking for obstacles and challenges, to families with kids wanting to foster a love for trail riding. For more information on Michigan ORV trails, visit www.michigan.gov/orvtrails.
Never to Early to Start Your Kids ORVing
Other Recommended Attractions Nearby
When we visited the area we stayed for awhile and explored both South and North Higgins Lake State Parks, hiking trails, and museums that showcase the beauty of the area. Here are some additional activities we recommend in Roscommon, St. Helen, Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake Areas from the best restaurants, coffee shops, bars and shopping - check out this list.
Major Events St. Helen annual ORV Jamboree, occurs in August each year, attracting 1000’s of spectators, as well as participants. This festival gathers ORV enthusiasts from all around the state of Michigan, with events including: mud bog, sand run, obstacle course and an ORV pull.
Hiking in the fall is like stepping into a painting, especially as the trees start showing off their ruby reds, golden yellows and oranges. Two glorious hikes include:
Marl Lake Trail at South Higgins Lake State Park: One of the most scenic hikes that offers water views.
Lost Trail Lake Pathway: An easy to moderate trail with a distance of 3.2 miles near Prudenville.
Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum Explore & learn about the history of the area and the major impact the Conservation Civilian Corp had on planting trees in the state forest while visiting the museum and spacious grounds.
Nearby Restaurants
Buccillis Pizza - After a long day on the trails, the perfect food to fill your belly is pure Italian goodness. This family-owned restaurant in Houghton Lake serves up cheesy bread sticks and flavorful pizza that is piled high with fresh mozzarella, homemade sauce, Italian herbs and your favorite pizza toppings. Try one of their specialty pizzas, Alvito was our favorite, and don't skip the cheese bread! Save money, Monday- Friday from 11:00-1:30pm for their all-you-can-eat buffet.
Firehouse Bar & Grill - Convenient location in St. Helen near the trails, plus next to a gas station. Enjoy this spot for it’s friendly service, relaxed atmosphere and classic bar food.
TJ Loopie’s Sips & Sweets- Anyone with a sweet tooth will be delighted by the many desserts, ice creams and specialty drinks to choose from.
Buccillis Pizza
Rentals
222 Adventures LLC Rent a Yamaha Wolverine, which comes with full gas tank, and helmets.
Where to Stay in the Area
This spectacular area offers a variety of accommodations from cozy cottages, campgrounds or family-friendly hotels with a pool, make sure to check out the best deals at Bookings.com for you next family vacation. If you’re staying for an extended time, another great option is to rent a house in the area through VRBO. In the fall we stayed at the Mallard Duck Retreat, which was a cozy cottage that was perfect for our family of six.
Camping
Richfield Township Parks ORVers can camp at the Richfield Township Campgrounds. One perk is that riders can go directly from the campground to the trails, which is just a short, bumpy drive from the St Helen’s Motorsports Area.
Saint Helen campground has 30 sites with electric and water hookups and features direct access to the ORV trails .
North and South Higgins Lake State Park
Closing Thoughts
South Higgins Lake State Park in the Fall
The trails in St. Helen ORV Area are perfect for those looking for an epic off-road adventure. Hopefully you’ll have the chance to explore the trails and experience the beauty of the vast miles of wooded trails crisscrossing Roscommon County. Don’t forget to Pin and Save this post and follow Discovering Anew for more family travel, vacation guides, and camping recommendations. If this content was helpful, please share it with a friend. Happy Trails!
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