Fall Riding

Hello, Everyone!

As this perfect reminder message from our friends at the DNR says, “Let’s get out and enjoy all the trails we have to offer while the Autumn weather lasts!”

MI-TRALE has 550+ miles of ORV trails for you to travel, along with the 18 miles of Horse Trails available to ride at the Courtney Lake Trails and Campground in Mass City, Michigan and the 19 Mapped Water Trails for non-motorized vessels to use in Ontonagon County.

See our website www.mi-trale.org tabs ATV ORV, HORSE TRAILS and WATER TRAILS OF MICHIGAN for more detailed information. Look for our FREE Map App, “Michigan UP Trails” in Google Play or Apple’s The App Store. All the previously listed tabs have instructions or links on how to order a paper map if you want one.

We offer you, our Members, and visitors alike, this wide variety of ways  to enjoy Michigan’s Western UPs banquet of trails. Soak up the beauty of our great wilderness and have some fun on one kind of trail or another while Autumn shines upon us. Happy and safe travels to all!

BN CULVERT WORK FINISHED!

The BN culvert project has been completed and the trail has been reopened. Thank-You MIDNR for keeping our trails safe and in great riding condition by identifying these projects before they are a disaster. Remember-RIDE RIGHT-RIDE SAFE!

USA TODAY Readers Crown Michigan’s U.P. the No. 1 Destination for Fall Colors

Sep. 17, 2025 –When it comes to spectacular fall colors, the Upper Peninsula stands unmatched. This year, USA TODAY readers confirmed it once again, voting Michigan’s premier autumn showcase the nation’s No. 1 choice in the 10Best Destinations for Fall Colors Awards Follow the links for the rest of the story!

THE UPPER PENINSULA

Caution ALL Equestrian’s-Active Logging

The Area South of the Firesteel Equestrian crossing is active again, so use caution when riding around that area. CAUTION to EQUESTRIANS:  This logging activity is on the trails 
South of the Firesteel River crossing, so use caution when riding in that area. If your horse is not used to loud noises or large equipment, please be extra careful.  Logging trucks and equipment will be using the two trail inlets south of the Firesteel River on the Dishneau Road.

There will be no logging activity north of the river.  As always trail courtesy is key to safety. Fall colors will peak very soon.  The campground is still open. The trails are mapped and clean, including quiet trails surrounding the lake. It is a great time of year to enjoy the beauty and peace of the Courtney Lake Trails! Fall colors will peak very soon.  The campground is still open. The trails are mapped and clean, including quiet trails surrounding the lake. It is a great time of year to enjoy the beauty and peace of the Courtney Lake Trails!

“CAUTION”-ACTIVE LOGGING AREAS

The OC trail off of FH16 had a feller buncher staged and is signed for active logging

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS LOCATION AND RIDE WITH CAUTION!

“LSPR” Ottawa Forest Road Closures Oct 16-17 2025

The forest Roads outlined by the map will be closed for the 2 day event per the Closure Order

 OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST 

CLOSURE ORDER 

SUPERVISOR’S CLOSURE ORDER RESTRICTING PUBLIC USE OF ROADS & TRAILS WITHIN ONTONAGON AND KENTON RANGER DISTRICTS 

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to the provisions of 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on National Forest Lands described below within the Ontonagon and Kenton Ranger Districts on the Ottawa National Forest, for the protection of public health and safety during the annual Lake Superior Performance Rally (LSPR). 

1. Being on the road in any manner. 36 CFR § 261.54(e) 

CLOSURE DESCRIPTION: 

The following closure is for the sections of roads as described below and shown on the attached map and list incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A: 

Forest Development Roads: Forest Road (FR), Forest Highway (FH), Junction (Jct) 

1. FR 1470: From Jct Pori Road to FR 1460 

2. FR 1460: From Jct FR 1470 to FH 16 

3. 1300: From Jct FH 16 to FR 2020 

4. 2020: From Jct FR 1300 to M28 

5. 3500: From Jct FR 3577 to FR 3630 

6. 3630: From Jct FR 3500 to FH 16 

7. 4580: From Jct Golden Glow Rd to FR 4500 

8. 4500: From Jct FR 4580 to FR 3616 

9. 3616: From Jct FR 4500 to FR 3610 

10. 3610: From Jct FR 3616 to FH 16 

SENIOR RIDE 2025

OR-Ontonagon-Rockland Trail Grading

BE ADVISED MI-TRALE will be grading and brushing the (OR) trail starting September 5th. Please ride with caution and respect the direction of the workers when using the trail for the next 2 weeks.  This project scheduled for completion by September 15th—THANK-YOU

SB TRAIL WORK-CAUTION

Northern Natural Gas will be working Sep 5th and 6th in the defined section between Bruce Crossing and Agate Falls on the SB Route. Please use caution when riding through this area. Re-Route is not necessary as you will be able to with caution pass the working crews.

Camp and Ride 2025


The MI-TRALEs “Camp and Ride 2025 ” at the Courtney Lake Campground and Trails in Mass City, Michigan, is in the books. The invitation for equestrians to gather on Saturday August 9th was sent far and wide. It was a very soggy weekend, but some equestrians just don’t give in.
Five horses and five riders came on Friday expecting an evening ride and for others to join them on Saturday. Three more horses joined us on Saturday during a brief break in the weather and one gal got a quick ride in. Another rider joined us on Sunday morning for a nice ride. At our event, there was a total of 7 riders, 9 horses, and 8 visitors. Two other riders outside our group were out enjoying the trails. One little girl learned how to feed treats to horses and a neighbor from the campsite across the road came to offer apples to the horses.

See the rest of the article on our Equestrian page Updates here: https://mi-trale.org/horse-trails/updates/

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