Indiana/LP Michigan beginner trails

[NellyT77]

Next week I'm going up to the northern part of the LP for the 4th and wanted to see if anyone knew of any beginner trails that I could handle alone. Just trying to get my feet (and tires) wet and test what my Passport can do stock! I'll be up around the Atlanta area. any and all suggestions or help would be highly appreciated!

 

[SJ.Overland]

I'd recommend Manistee NF for sure. On the west side near Sleeping Bear Dunes. Forest Roads are manageable in a stock vehicle. Just be careful obviously. If it seems too difficult don't do it lol.

 

[SJ.Overland]

Huron NF would be fun too. I just realized you said Atlanta so Manistee will be a bit of a Hike. Huron is on the east side of the LP so that may be your best bet.

 

[NellyT77]

Huron NF would be fun too. I just realized you said Atlanta so Manistee will be a bit of a Hike. Huron is on the east side of the LP so that may be your best bet.

Is there another name for Huron? Google is saying the Manistee-Huron is the only result. Either way, I love this recommendation! looks like a gorgeous trail!

 

[SJ.Overland]

Is there another name for Huron? Google is saying the Manistee-Huron is the only result. Either way, I love this recommendation! looks like a gorgeous trail!

Technically they are combined now I guess. I may be outdated/misinformed in my naming. I call Manistee the West side and Huron the East side because they are not connected.

 

[NellyT77]

I found that too. for some reason Huron doesn't typically get listed when you google it. is there a marker for the trailhead? if so do you know an address or anything? Sorry, I'm trying to use all the resources I can to look for these trails but I'm not paying for Gaia membership yet lol.

 

[SJ.Overland]

Not specifically for Huron. I just looked for areas of interest then wondered. Keep in mind all the pictures above are Manistee and in the Fall. I will say Forest RD 4132 is what i hit in Huron and it was fun. IDK how your passport is on sandy dirt but it was a good beginner to advanced beginner trail. I'd recommend getting a Forest Map or downloading the PDFs. Although i think the gaia topo now has all the forest roads now.

 

[NellyT77]

Not specifically for Huron. I just looked for areas of interest then wondered. Keep in mind all the pictures above are Manistee and in the Fall. I will say Forest RD 4132 is what i hit in Huron and it was fun. IDK how your passport is on sandy dirt but it was a good beginner to advanced beginner trail. I'd recommend getting a Forest Map or downloading the PDFs. Although i think the gaia topo now has all the forest roads now.

I did see some roads on the topo and it actually shows the difference between OHV and dirt bike/snowmobile trails which is helpful.

 

[NellyT77]

Not specifically for Huron. I just looked for areas of interest then wondered. Keep in mind all the pictures above are Manistee and in the Fall. I will say Forest RD 4132 is what i hit in Huron and it was fun. IDK how your passport is on sandy dirt but it was a good beginner to advanced beginner trail. I'd recommend getting a Forest Map or downloading the PDFs. Although i think the gaia topo now has all the forest roads now.

BTW thank you very much for the reccomendation!

 

[SJ.Overland]

Yeah no worries! If you hit the east coast and want to stay in a dedicated campground i'd recommend P.H. Hoeft State Park. We stayed in mid October so all the main buildings were closed due to winter but it was a beautiful campground.

 

[NellyT77]

Yeah no worries! If you hit the east coast and want to stay in a dedicated campground i'd recommend P.H. Hoeft State Park. We stayed in mid October so all the main buildings were closed due to winter but it was a beautiful campground.

Awesome! Thanks again! Excited to finally break in the Passport and see what it can do. B)

 

[SJ.Overland]

Awesome! Thanks again! Excited to finally break in the Passport and see what it can do. B)

If you ever want to do a group trip feel free on reaching out. @Hattyz and I are always down to do a quick trip.

 

[NellyT77]

Awesome! Thanks again! Excited to finally break in the Passport and see what it can do. B)

If you ever want to do a group trip feel free on reaching out. @Hattyz and I are always down to do a quick trip.

Sounds good! I would love to make some off-roading friends (few and far between here in Indiana lol)