NEW ORV SCENIC RIDE OPENS TO SHOWCASE CADILLAC AS ORV DESTINATION

Cadillac Area ORV Initiative Features 100-Plus Mile Scenic Ride in Western Wexford County Plus Trail Signage, Maps and Website to Help Riders Safely Navigate Accessible ORV Roads

State, regional and local business leaders dedicated a new 100-plus-mile ORV* Scenic Ride at the Michigan Cross-Country Cycle Trail/Caberfae Trailhead Staging Area today – a key part of the Cadillac Area ORV Initiative developed to showcase Wexford County as an ORV destination.

“Today is a culmination of almost two years of hard work and collaboration between the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau; federal, state and local agencies; and ORV user groups to develop a recommended scenic ride showcasing more than 100 miles of ORV-accessible roads,” said Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau (CAVB) Executive Director Kathy Morin at today’s event. “We are thrilled to unveil this ORV Scenic Ride with related maps and signage – all to help visitors enjoy the region via ORV while doing so responsibly and safely.”

Also speaking at the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony were USDA Rural Development Deputy State Director Valarie Handy; U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist Travis Owens; Tread Lightly! Director of Marketing & Communications Mike Sype; and Travel Michigan Media, Digital & Industry Relations Director Nick Nerbonne. In addition to dedicating the ORV Scenic Ride at the MCCCT/Caberfae Trailhead Staging Area on 13 Road off M-55, business leaders unveiled a 6.5’ x 6’ ORV Scenic Rid kiosk with map of the entire 100+-mile ride – one of four kiosks located on the ride plus another eight kiosks at businesses along or near the route. Attendees also got to drive some of the new ORV Scenic Ride in ORVs provided by Bigfoot Epic Adventures, Greater North Rentals and Westside Rec Rentals.

“ORVing is a growing recreational experience in Michigan and a great way to explore the state’s 13,000 miles of trails,” said Kelly Wolgamott, interim vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “The Cadillac ORV Scenic Ride is a tremendous addition to our statewide trail network that strengthens Michigan’s position as the Great Lakes Trails State. As we inspire travelers to ‘Keep It Fresh’ in Pure Michigan this season, we applaud the Cadillac area’s dedication to making ORVing an enjoyable, approachable and safe activity.” Cadillac Area ORV Initiative The Cadillac area continues to be a popular destination for snowmobiling with its 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Yet with 299,195 licensed ORVs in the state as of September 2022 (up 20 percent from 2019), the CAVB saw an opportunity to also position the region as a destination for ORV recreation to capitalize on a trend of lengthening recreation shoulder seasons and expanding visitation year-round. riders have two designated ORV loop trails in Wexford County in addition to open Wexford County roads and U.S. Forest Service roads – none of which have been mapped together as a contiguous ride.

The CAVB recognized the need to create a suggested scenic ride connecting open Wexford County and federal forest service roads together and to adjacent designated ORV trails in Lake County to help guide visitors, especially those new to the activity. Efforts to expand this ride through other parts of the CAVB’s coverage area will continue into 2025 and beyond.

*NOTE: The terms ORV, OHV, and UTV are used interchangeably in the Cadillac Area ORV Initiative and are inclusive of all wheeled recreational vehicles such as side-by-sides, four wheelers, dirt bikes and Jeeps.