Jordan River Valley Technical Trail

This isn’t your typical Michigan trail — the Jordan River Valley serves up 12 miles of legitimate technical challenges through steep-sided ravines carved by glacial meltwater. The route follows old logging roads and ATV trails that drop 400 feet into the valley, where multiple Jordan River crossings await. The notorious “Devil’s Elbow” section features off-camber turns on loose shale with exposure — one wrong move and you’re sliding toward the creek below.

Expert-level difficulty demands a capable rig with rock sliders, skid plates, and low-range gearing. Winch recommended for the steepest climbs out of creek bottoms. April through October offers the best conditions, though spring crossings run deeper and fall colors are spectacular. No dispersed camping allowed, but nearby state forest campgrounds provide base camps. This is Michigan’s answer to Moab — technical, unforgiving, and absolutely worth the challenge for drivers who’ve outgrown the usual Great Lakes routes.