 DNR News  April 17, 2026 Contact: Dan Dowdy (Agate Falls Scenic Site), 906-353-6558 or Carly Graff (ORV reroute), 906-250-5818Agate Falls Scenic Site in western UP closed through fall Repairs and improvements to trestle bridge also require reroute of ORV trail Agate Falls Scenic Site, a popular western Upper Peninsula attraction managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division, is temporarily closed through late fall for essential repairs and improvements to the site’s trestle bridge.This closure, which is slated for completion Nov. 1, 2026, also includes rerouting an off-road vehicle trail that runs through the property off state Highway M-28 in Ontonagon County. Agate Falls Scenic Site is known for its picturesque views and activities including fishing, hiking and ORV riding.“With the work taking place directly above the pathway and overlook, the site is closed to ensure public safety,” said Dan Dowdy, unit supervisor with the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.The DNR is using a Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program grant to pay for the site’s repairs and improvements, which are expected to cost $1.6 million. This program provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. ORV reroute below  Along with closing the scenic site, the DNR also has rerouted a 4.6-mile section of ORV SB Route. Riders will need to travel on a detour totaling 18.6 miles until the scenic site reopens in November, weather depending.The reroute begins at Mile W, then continues to Calderwood Road, which becomes Bond Falls Road, until it reaches “LL” on the trail. Riders can view this reroute in more detail by visiting the DNR’s interactive ORV trail and route map.“This reroute is a local ‘club route’ and is known as the CW,” said Carly Graff, western Upper Peninsula trails specialist for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.About Agate Falls Scenic SiteConsidered one of Michigan’s most picturesque waterfalls, Agate Falls is located along the middle branch of the Ontonagon River. A half-mile trail at the scenic site provides access to an observation platform with views of the top of the falls. The trail offers views of overhead railroad trestles and passes through a tunnel under M-28.When the scenic site is open, parking, vault toilets, an adjacent paved trail and a picnic area are available at the adjacent Michigan Department of Transportation roadside park, which is generally open early May through late October.The falls are created as the river finds its way over an extended shelf of terraced sandstone. The resulting waterfall is a broad band of interlacing cascades and small falls nearly 40 feet high. When the site is open, visitors can reach the observation platform via an accessible foot trail.Learn more about this scenic site – and find other nearby U.P. attractions managed by the DNR – by using the DNR’s Recreation Search at Michigan.gov/RecSearch.For more information about ORV riding in the U.P. and throughout the state – Michigan has more than 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails, scramble areas, (eligible) county, state forest and national forest roads – visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo. You’ll find license and trail permit information, an interactive ORV trail and route map, and more.Before visiting any DNR-managed location, it’s always a good idea to check the latest closures due to weather-related events and planned improvement projects and repairs occurring at DNR facilities around the state. Any revised construction timelines will also announced on the DNR’s closures webpage at Michigan.gov/DRNClosures.Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.Agate Falls: Agate Falls Scenic Site, a popular western Upper Peninsula attraction managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division, is temporarily closed through late fall for essential repairs and improvements to the site’s trestle bridge.ORV reroute: Along with closing the scenic site, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources also has rerouted a 4.6-mile section of ORV SB Route. Riders will need to travel on a detour totaling 18.6 miles until the scenic site reopens in November, weather depending.The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR. |
MI-TRALE held their Annual Meeting and Board Elections on Monday, January 12th, 2026. They were held in the Stannard Township Hall, 14927 State HWY M-28 East, Bruce Crossing, MI, 49912 beginning at 7:00pm Eastern.
Our current Vice President, Jon Fourez was re-elected to his same position as was our Treasurer Dave Bishop. One of the three Directorships, that were open for election, was currently held by Chris Palmer. He was re-elected to that position. So he, Vice President Fourez and Treasurer Bishop will continue in their respective roles for the coming two years. They have all done excellent work for MI-TRALE in their past years of service and we are looking forward to working with them through their next term.
The other two Director seats were filled by new persons to the Board. Chris Kooyers, originally from Holland, Michigan who now lives in Sidnaw with his wife Cindi and Adam Gingery who is the CFO at Trierweiler Construction in Marshfield, Wisconsin, where he lives with his wife and two children. He also has a second home in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin with quick access to all of MI-TRALEs trails. Their terms of office are also for the next two years. MI-TRALE enthusiastically welcomes them as new Directors to the Board. Both of their work experiences will be a valuable asset to MI-TRALE and we look forward to working with them as members of our Board.
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!
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 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!
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!
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/
 Off-road vehicles are fun year-round, but activity in Michigan tends to increase around the Fourth of July holiday as people head to trails and ORV scramble areas to enjoy world-class riding experiences.Keeping safety in mind is vital on any ride, for you and others. According to 2023 statewide ORV crash data, 93% of ORV fatalities could have been prevented. These crashes and injuries primarily were due to excessive speed and a lack of helmet/seat belt use. Parents are reminded, too, that they must have visual supervision of all children under the age of 16 when those children are operating an ORV.“Always ride within your and the machine’s capabilities,” said Cpl. Mike Hearn, DNR law enforcement ORV and snowmobile specialist. “When you ride too fast, you are more likely to lose control when hitting even the smallest bump or trying to make turns or stop.”All ORV operators are urged to “Ride Right” and keep other important guidance in mind:Ride at a safe speed.Ride sober.Ride on the right side of the trail.Keep lights on when riding.Always wear a helmet.Please keep in mind that about 60% of motorized and nonmotorized DNR-managed trails in northern Michigan remain temporarily closed due to effects of the March 28-30 ice storm. For status updates on state-managed facilities, trails and forest roads, refer to the map and dashboard on the DNR’s ice storm response page.Additionally, ORV operators who are transporting children should refer to the ORV manufacturer owner’s manual regarding use of car seats or boosters. |
Do your part to ensure everyone returns home safely; read more about ORV safety at Michigan.gov/RideRight.
For more on where to ride and ORV laws in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo.
Questions? Email Cpl. Mike Hearn at HearnM@Michigan.gov.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 05/22/2025 09:54 AM EDT
Share or view as webpage | Update preferences Be aware, ‘Ride Right’ for safe, responsible, off-road funAs off-road vehicle riding ramps up during Memorial Day weekend and throughout summer, it’s vital to keep safety top of mind. And following the massive March 28-30 ice storm in northern Michigan – a popular spot for ORV riding – it’s critical to “know before you go” when visiting the 12 affected counties.Please know that northern Michigan’s landscape may look different with more open spaces, damaged trees and natural debris.Storm-related closuresPlease respect all nonmotorized and motorized trail closures. If you’re visiting a reopened trail, stay on the trail corridor itself due to potential hazards in the surrounding forest, including numerous leaning trees and hanging tree limbs.Visit the ice storm response dashboard with the latest status (open, partially open, temporarily closed) of state parks, state-managed trails, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds. Find an interactive map, safety updates and more on the DNR’s ice storm response page.Ride RightAccording to 2023 statewide ORV crash data, 93% of ORV fatalities could have been prevented. These crashes and injuries were the result of excessive speed and a lack of helmet/seat belt use. All ORV operators are urged to “Ride Right” and keep this important guidance in mind:Ride at a safe speed.Ride sober.Ride on the right side of the trail.Keep lights on when riding.Always wear a helmet.Do your part to ensure everyone returns home safely; read more about ORV safety at Michigan.gov/RideRight. For more on state ORV laws and where to ride, visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo.Following a severe ice storm in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is assessing damage and conducting cleanup at several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails. Find up-to-date information about closures, volunteer opportunities and more on the DNR storm recovery page. |
Everyone~~
We have good news to share!The closure we had announced on Thursday April 24th, 2025 for the Bill Nicholls (BN) Route at the intersection of M26 in Mass City, due to a culvert washout, has been lifted!
The DNR work crew completed the repair of the culvert washout and congruent trail today, Wednesday May 7th, 2025. They did a great job. The area looks wonderful. (See the pictures below of the finished work.)
PLEASE NOTE:
The section of the BN trail between M26 and Adventure Mine is still closed due to a heavy ice build-up on the bridge there. Hopefully the warmer weather we are due to have this week will take care of that! We will keep you posted.
