Snowmobiling in Northern Michigan

snowmobiling art

Snowmobiles traveling the roadways, parked outside restaurants and snaking their way through scenic and snowy settings are a common sight across the landscape during a Northern Michigan winter.
Snowmobile manufacturers and dealers credit the sport’s popularity to its ease, in both machine maintenance and little physical exertion required by riders.
Michigan boasts top honors in the Midwest with hundreds of thousands of registered snowmobilers. Several snowmobile clubs have joined forces with the state Department of Natural Resources and others to develop a system of trails throughout Emmet and Charlevoix counties. Several cities also have designated trails and special winter festivals for snowmobilers.
Note: As of October 2000, if your license to operate an automobile has been suspended by Michigan or your home state, you may not operate a snowmobile.

Where you can/can’t ride

Most of the trails found in Emmet and Charlevoix counties run on state land, though clubs have made easement agreements with private owners for crossing. Some routes demand county road shoulder runs. Maps are available at chamber of commerce offices and snowmobile dealerships throughout the area.

Emmet County: Snowmobiles are banned from Emmet County roads except for a few miles designated as part of the state trails system.

Petoskey: Snowmobiles are not allowed on city streets.

Harbor Springs: Snowmobilers using trails north of town can enter Harbor Springs on a route from the ball park on Hoyt Street to the city harbormaster’s office on the bay. City residents with snowmobiles are allowed  to use city streets to drive in and out of town. They must use the most direct route and obey all traffic laws.

Alanson: A designated, signed snowmobile trail runs through the village. Village residents with snowmobiles are allowed to ride from their homes to the trail using the most direct route. Snowmobiles can be parked in a lot off the alley between East Street and Warren Street.

Pellston: Snowmobiles are allowed to ride through the village on a north-south trail that generally follows the old railroad right of way.
Resident snowmobilers are allowed to take the most direct route from their house to the trail or out of town. There is a 10 mph speed limit, and snowmobiles are not allowed in Pioneer Park.

East Jordan: Routes are posted so machines can reach the extensive trail system around the city.

Charlevoix: The city allows limited snowmobile traffic to reach trails.

Boyne City: Snowmobilers are to stay clear of the central business district and stop at all intersections regardless of sign postings, but may use any road shoulder.

Boyne Falls: No set policy, but riders are asked to keep on the shoulders to get in and out of town.

Snowmobile clubs

Following is a listing of snowmobile clubs in the area. Many offer Sunday morning breakfasts or bean pots on weekends, and they also organize weekend rides.

Petoskey Snowmobile Club, P.O. Box 853, Petoskey, Mich. 49770
(231) 347-9170, petoskeysnowmobileclub.org
 
Boyne City
Boyne Country Snowmobile Club, P.O. Box 441, Boyne City, Mich. 49712
(231) 535-2227
 
Cheboygan Area Snowmobile Club, 5705 Mullett Lake Woods Shore, Cheboygan, Mich. 49721
(231) 625-2454
 
East Jordan Sno-Mobilers Inc., P.O. Box 80, East Jordan, Mich. 49727
(231) 536-2944
 
Jordan Valley Trails Council, East Jordan, Mich. 49727
(231) 675-7669, jvtc.org
 
Charlevoix Snowmobile Club, P.O. Box 627, Charlevoix, Mich. 49720
(231) 547-9660 and (231) 675-2337, chxsnowmobile.com
 
Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club, 300 Fairview, Harbor Springs, Mich. 49740
(231) 529-6648
 
Indian River
Inland Lakes Snowmobile Club, 7471 Big Mac Trail, Indian River, Mich. 49749
(231) 238-0332
 
Indian River Grooming Club, Trail grooming information
(231) 238-7371