Forest Roads in the UP
- Thread starter mjw66
- Start date
You need a map showing what is a forest road (or under their jurisdiction) and what is a county road, so you know if the road is legal to be on with a sled. County roads are open on the unplowed shoulder.
North of Phelps is the Ottawa National Forest.
They describe their rules as such:
The use of snowmobiles cross-country is permitted on the Ottawa, except in areas designated closed to snowmobiles. Snowmobiles are prohibited in designated wilderness areas, Sylvania Perimeter Area, and on plowed Forest System Roads. In Semi-primitive Non-motorized Management Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers Corridors snowmobiling is limited to designated trails.
More info here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ottawa/recreation/wintersports/?recid=12303&actid=92
Bring your handsaw and brush snippers. I used to keep several FRs clear for use to trails in WI and shortcuts back to Phelps from MI. Rule of thumb if plowed don’t ride if unplowed have at it. Maps tell you where you are in the system but no one knows what is plowed and unplowed. The other wild card is the FR road plowed by county , city or residents each have their own set of dos and donts. Lots of virgin FRs in your area have a blast figuring it out.
VV mapping does a pretty good job showing the forest roads and forest land.
Another one: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ottawa/maps-pubs
Another one: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ottawa/maps-pubs
mrsrunningbear
Active member
For the Ottawa National Forest If they are unplowed or not being used as a snowmobile trail or XC skiing trail. You can ride them