LET THEM RIDE: ORV season officially opens north of Calumet
This week ORV enthusiasts can ride the Keweenaw to its fullest extent. The trails north of Calumet to High Rock Bay are open as of May 1. While the State of Michigan’s ORV season begins April 1, much of the ORV system above Calumet is on private property. With the gracious permission of the many landowners that make up the system, it is open to riders from May 1 to Nov. 1. Try reaching these three destinations this summer.
High Rock Bay: If you’re riding north, go all the way to the tip of the Keweenaw. You can’t walk, and you can’t drive a sport car – so ORV (or a high-lifted 4WD) is the only option. Here, many miles past where the pavement of US-41 ends, you can gaze out into an uninterrupted Lake Superior. A rocky, jagged shoreline protects the land from the waves and makes for a beautiful, relaxing summer scene. A public toilet was recently added to this remote destination.
Calumet Lake: Stop in Calumet for a gorgeous park featuring plenty of seats to take a break from riding. Have a bonfire here or play a quick round of frisbee golf. Try your hand at fishing this inland lake for pike and other panfish. Stop in Calumet to find yourself a historical watering hole like Shute’s! Much of Calumet is ORV friendly and you can park just like a car in the street.
Dreamland: a newly reconnected trails community. Go support the trails and businesses in Dreamland and Lake Linden! In 2023, Trail 3/BD was repaired and expected to be utilized this winter by snowmobilers who hadn’t been able to ride into Lake Linden, Dollar Bay or Bootjack from Hancock in six years. With a below average winter in terms of Keweenaw snowfall, ORV riders will be the first to get their real miles in on this section of trail on the eastern side of the peninsula. Try stopping in the Dreamland Bar or the Loading Zone II in Lake Linden along your way.
Remember to ride right on the trails and SLOW DOWN around corners. In residential areas the speed limit is 25 MPH. That includes large portions of the Hancock and Houghton multi-use trails where there are many pedestrians, including children, that share the trail regularly. It’s important for us to be respectful while recreating outdoors to minimize our impacts on other peoples’ experiences. Being mindful of others and properly sharing a resource like trails is one easy way to practice Leave No Trace principles while recreating in the Keweenaw.