Michigan free snowmobile weekend is coming up — What to know before you hit the trails

In Gogebic County, snowmobilers take pleasure in a trail ride. (Image: DNR)

• • 
    Free snowmobile weekend is Jan. 17-19.
    
  • 
    During this time, Michigan Department of Natural Resources snowmobile trails, public roads, and public lands can be ridden without a snowmobile registration or trail permit.
    

• 
  Free snowmobile weekend is Jan. 17-19.
  
• 
  During this time, Michigan Department of Natural Resources snowmobile trails, public roads, and public lands can be ridden without a snowmobile registration or trail permit.
  

(FOX 2):Winter is well underway, snow is on the ground, and the opportunity to enjoy free snowmobiling is drawing near.

We know:

January 17–19 is a free snowmobile weekend.

Michigan residents and visitors from other states are permitted to ride on public roads, public lands, and snowmobile trails maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources during this time without a snowmobile registration or trail permission. If riders want to enter places that require them, including state parks, they still need to have a recreation permit.

To ride on public lands and trails, snowmobilers typically need to have a $52 snowmobile trail permit and be registered with the Secretary of State. For snowmobiles used just on private property, this is not necessary.

Next steps:

Before you tackle the trails, review the rules.

Throughout the free snowmobile weekend, these guidelines must be followed.