Manistee National Forest Off-Road Vehicle Trail System – Route 37

Route 37 anchors Michigan’s most extensive off-road network, threading through the heart of Manistee National Forest from Baldwin to Cadillac. The trail crosses the Pine River twice via concrete fords that’ll test your waterproofing, then climbs through second-growth timber stands where logging roads branch off like veins. Mile marker 47 drops you into the notorious Mud Bowl – a quarter-mile stretch of clay and standing water that’s claimed more than a few weekend warriors.

This is moderate terrain that rewards preparation over horsepower. Any stock 4WD with decent tires will handle the route, but pack recovery gear and extra fuel – gas stations are scarce once you’re committed. Best tackled April through October when the fords aren’t frozen solid. The payoff is genuine Michigan backcountry: rolling hardwood ridges, hidden lakes, and dispersed camping spots that haven’t seen a tent in weeks. It’s the kind of trail that reminds you why Michigan earned its reputation as serious 4WD country.