Courtesy Photo by Michigan Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile trail etiquette photos from Blue Lake Township (north of Grayling), February 2025.

MICHIGAN — In a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) press release on Monday, the department reminds Michigan residents to prepare for snowmobiling as “terrific conditions” descend upon Michigan.

The DNR first reminds residents to purchase their snowmobile permit.

According to the release, Michigan’s snowmobile program is 100% funded by trail permit and registration dollars. These funds are reinvested into the program and pay for grooming, signage, maintenance, bridge and culvert construction, new equipment, liability insurance, maintenance of trailhead amenities (signage, bathrooms, plowing of parking lots), and other snowmobile-related expenditures.

The department’s next reminder for residents is to review where snowmobiling is authorized.

According to the release, Michigan’s 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads, and public lands (only where riding is authorized) are open Dec. 1 to March 31, and trail grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground.

“Remember to stay on the designated trail to avoid trespassing – it’s because of the generosity of nearly 1,900 private landowners that the DNR is able to offer trails that connect communities and bring snowmobilers to places of interest that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them,” the release states.

To find maps, residents can visit michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do.

Finally, the DNR reminds residents to “Ride Right” and to watch their speed.

“Speed is the main contributing factor for snowmobile crashes and fatalities,” the release states. “Follow ‘Ride Right’ safety precautions, including staying on the right side of the trail, and ride home safe to your family and friends.”

The department also invites residents to participate in the Free Snowmobile Weekend from Jan. 10 to 11. Residents and out-of-state visitors legally can ride without the requirement of a snowmobile registration or trail permit during this time.