Manistee National Forest ORV Trail 22A
Sand and hardwood technical challenge
Trail 22A winds through 18 miles of Manistee National Forest’s most challenging terrain, connecting deep sand tracks with technical hardwood sections that’ll humble cocky drivers. The route starts innocuous near Udell Hills but quickly turns serious at the Manistee River crossing — when it’s running high, you’re either turning around or getting wet to the floorboards.
This is solid moderate territory requiring high-clearance 4WD and aggressive tread. The sand sections will bog down street tires instantly, while the creek crossings demand good spotting and recovery gear. Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions, though summer weekends see heavy ATV traffic. It’s not remote wilderness, but it’s honest Michigan off-roading with enough technical sections to keep you engaged and a few surprises that’ll make you appreciate having a winch.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance aggressive tires |
| Nearest town | Wellston, Michigan |
| Land manager | U.S. Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run Trail 22A without modifications?
A stock 4WD with high-clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires can handle it, but the deep sand sections will punish street tires hard. Lockers or a limited-slip rear axle are a real advantage on the loose climbs — not required, but you'll notice their absence.
When does Trail 22A open and is it passable after heavy rain?
Best window is May through October. After heavy rain the sand gets unpredictably soft and the creek crossings rise fast — what's a splash on a dry day can be axle-deep a day after a storm. Check conditions with the Huron-Manistee National Forest office before heading out if rain hit recently.
Do I need a permit or ORV sticker to run Trail 22A?
Michigan requires a valid ORV license plate or trail permit for any vehicle operating on designated ORV trails on state or federal land — that applies here. No day-use fee, but your Michigan ORV license needs to be current and displayed. Out-of-state rigs need a Michigan ORV permit, available online or at local retailers near Wellston.
What's the hardest section of Trail 22A and what makes it technical?
The loose sand climbs are where rigs get sorted out — momentum management matters more than brute power, and getting stuck mid-climb on soft sand with trees tight on both sides makes recovery annoying fast. The creek crossings are generally manageable but have soft, eroded banks that catch people off guard on the exit.
Is there dispersed camping along the trail and how far is the nearest gas?
Dispersed camping is allowed within the Manistee National Forest — no designated hookups, just pick a spot off the trail that meets the 150-foot setback from water. Gas up in Wellston or Manistee before you start; there's nothing in the forest and you don't want to be doing fuel math on 18 miles of sand with spotty cell service.
Trail track
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