Whats Legal to Drive in a State Park or Recreation Area?
Most visitors to a state park or recreation area may be unaware that all roads and parking areas within the park are, in fact, public highways governed by Michigan’s Motor Vehicle Code. Any motor vehicle using these roads and parking areas, which have been developed solely for access, egress and parking, must be registered and licensed by the Secretary of State and must have a valid State Park Motor Vehicle Permit. However, there is a broad category of other motor-powered conveyances used by the public for recreation purposes that are not addressed by Motor Vehicle Code or the State’s Off-Road Vehicle Code. To ensure public safety, the DNR has developed administrative rules that govern the lawful operation of these vehicles when people are using them within a state park and recreation area. Such rules are necessary whenever there is a mix of small vehicles with large camping rigs in a confined camping area, or when the indiscriminate operation of any motor-powered conveyance presents a
