Want to experience some of the souths famous ride areas but not up for the long drive? OGEMAW SPORT and TRAIL CENTER in Michigan is where you need to be. It’s like the trails of Brimstone, Coal Creek, or Hatfield McCoy but without the red clay, and it offers both trails and motocross tracks to test your skills.
WHAT IS OGEMAW SPORT and TRAIL?
Ogemaw Sport and Trail is a privately owned, family friendly riding area and campground in the heart of Michigan’s trail riding country. Roughly 2-1/2 hours North of Detroit, Ogemaw is an easy drive deep into the forest, lake, and vacation hub of the Lower Peninsula. What they offer is adventure for riders of all skill levels. Highlights include:
- PRO-LEVEL MOTOCROSS TRACK – Designed to challenge and hone the skills of advanced riders. Nothing does that like sand! It’s where the pros go to practice and play.
- INTERMEDIATE TRACK – Allows riders to gain seat time and learn without feeling the pressure of pro-riders zipping past.
- YOUTH TRACK – Perfect for kids to practice on for days, and for parents to supervise
- ATV and ORV tracks – Designed for 4 wheels, this track accommodates riders of all skill levels, allowing all to have a great time at their own pace.
What we really like about the Ogemaw Sport and Trail tracks is they’re designed for riders of all skill levels, but with a safety factor in mind. Jumps are perfectly shaped to help you get air, but the landing area is not peaked. This is especially important for less experienced riders. It allows fast guys to maintain their speed but it won’t hurt amateur riders who sometimes come up short. It’s an important feature experienced track builders know how to balance, and the Ogemaw track building crew got it right!
WHAT ABOUT THE TRAILS?
We say Ogemaw reminds us very much of several famous southern riding areas because the terrain is very similar. Extensive, statewide trail systems are far less common in southern states, and as a result they have ride parks, much like Ogemaw Sport and Trail. What they do have in abundance at nearly every southern ride park is big hills and lots of rocks, usually scattered across slippery clay. Ogemaw somehow got the same type of glacial deposit along with the hills. This creates a challenging terrain much like those found several states away. We love the large hills followed by a downhill section that has you slipping the brakes the entire way down. The rocks, ridges, twisty trails, hill climbs, and sandy sections present a little bit of the best of all riding areas, all in one place. Less experienced riders don’t have to be concerned however. The trails are designed to be challenging, but not pro-level tight that would be difficult for most amateur riders. There are usually several lines to pick from over any obstacle, and all the trails are incredibly fun. We never became bored. You’re also never far from camp if you have a breakdown, flat tire, or just want a break.
CAMPING – PART OF THE ADVENTURE
Camping and off-road adventure go hand-in-hand and Ogemaw Sport and Trail offers many private, wooded campsites where you can park an RV or simply pitch a tent. All the campsites we found had ample shade, plenty of room to park, and a firepit. We also noticed many had water and electric hookups as well. For those bringing their RV there is an on-site dump station. Ogemaw also has clean, modern restrooms complete with showers, and if you forget something they’ve got a camp store with basic supplies for you and your machine. For major supplies there are towns nearby with the usual big-box stores.
A GREAT PLACE TO PLAY AND STAY
There is a lot to like about Ogemaw Sport and Trail Center. From ripping laps on the track to leisurely cruises through the woods or heart-pounding hill climbs, Ogemaw provides plenty of opportunities for adventure and exploration. Perhaps best of all, the staff is friendly and they ride too. They know what you need, whether it’s for an afternoon practice or a weekend away. With all Ogemaw Sport and Trail offers, and immediate trail access to hundreds of miles of Michigan’s best ORV trails, it’s a great place to base your adventure.
Ph: 989-685-2999
2374 Lentz Rd Rose City, MI 48654
CURRENT CAMPING AND RIDING RATES
$30.00 per day for 2 adults & 3 children under 16 years of age, or 3 adults.
DAILY RIDING RATE:
Under 7 years of age: $15.00
8 to 10 years of age: $20.00
Over 10 years of age: $30.00
