Michigan Permit Rules at Holly Oaks
Planning a ride at Holly Oaks means sorting out more than the park entrance fee. You also need the right ORV permits, a machine that meets the site’s equipment rules, and a plan for any young riders. Here’s how to separate park admission from state permits, prepare your ATV or UTV, and avoid arriving with a machine or rider who cannot use the area.
What you need to pay and carry
Holly Oaks has a park entrance fee, and the Michigan ORV permits are separate requirements. Paying to enter does not replace either permit. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Oakland County Parks and Recreation, visitors need a valid Michigan DNR ORV license and an ORV trail permit, as well as park admission; the entrance fee may be $30 per vehicle. Verify the current admission charge and permit rules before traveling, since those details can change.
According to the Michigan DNR, the annual ORV license costs $26.25, and the additional trail permit costs $10.00, for a combined total of $36.25 (as of October 2026). That amount is separate from the Holly Oaks entrance fee. The license and trail permit are also distinct from each other: the license is required for ORV use, while the trail permit is required for riding on designated ORV trails. For a fuller explanation of where each applies, see Michigan ORV License and Trail Permit Explained and Do You Need Both a License and a Trail Permit in Michigan?.
| Requirement | What it covers | What to check before your visit |
|---|---|---|
| Holly Oaks entrance fee | Admission to the park | Confirm the current amount and payment process with the park |
| Michigan ORV license | State ORV licensing requirement | Confirm it is valid and displayed as directed |
| ORV trail permit | Riding on designated ORV trails | Confirm the permit is current and attached as required |
| Youth safety certificate | Required for young riders on public lands | Check the rider’s age, supervision, and certificate |
| Machine equipment | Site-specific requirements, including exhaust and whip flag | Inspect the machine before leaving home |
The Michigan DNR says annual ORV licenses and trail permits expire on March 31 of the following year, regardless of when they were purchased. A permit bought shortly before that date does not extend into another permit year. Check the expiration date on the paperwork or license record rather than assuming that a recent purchase stays valid for a full year.
You can use Where to Buy a Michigan ORV License to plan ahead. If you are bringing a machine from another state, do not assume that an out-of-state credential automatically meets Holly Oaks’ requirements. The park information specifies a valid Michigan DNR license and trail permit, so ask the DNR or park staff what applies to your situation before making the trip. These related topics can help frame that question: ORV Permits for Out-of-State Riders in Michigan and Michigan ORV Reciprocity With Neighboring States.
Treat admission, the license, and the trail permit as separate items to verify. Keep proof of your permits accessible, and confirm that they belong to the machine or rider as required. If you arrive with the right payment for park entry but a missing or expired permit, you may still be unable to ride.
Prepare the machine for Holly Oaks
According to the Michigan DNR and Oakland County Parks and Recreation, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4s at Holly Oaks must use a spark-arresting exhaust silencer or end cap, meet a 94 dB noise limit, and display an orange dune-style safety whip flag. These are practical go/no-go checks: a machine that runs well on a private property or a different trail may still need changes before it meets Holly Oaks’ requirements.
Check the exhaust and sound level
Michigan law requires an approved spark arrester and a muffler in good working order and constant operation on ORVs used on public lands, according to the Michigan Legislature. Holly Oaks also sets its own equipment requirement for a spark-arresting exhaust silencer or end cap. Inspect the exhaust parts for damage, looseness, or missing components, and do not rely on a modified or unusually loud exhaust being acceptable.
The general Michigan statutory noise thresholds differ by vehicle age: according to the Michigan Legislature, the limit is 94 dB(A) for vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1986, and 99 dB(A) for older models, when tested using the SAE J1287 stationary test procedure. Holly Oaks’ stated 94 dB noise limit is the figure to plan around for riding there. Do not assume that a more permissive statewide threshold for an older machine overrides the park’s stated requirement. If you are unsure whether your exhaust meets the site standard, ask the park before making the drive.
Fit the required whip flag
Holly Oaks calls for an orange dune-style safety whip flag. Make sure it is installed securely and is easy to see. A loose mount, damaged flag, or setup that does not match the park’s requirement can create a problem at arrival. If you buy a replacement flag or exhaust component online, including through Amazon, check the item against the park’s stated specification and your vehicle’s fitment rather than relying on a generic product description.
It is worth reviewing the machine before loading it. Check that the flag is present and secured, the exhaust silencer and spark arrester are in place, and the machine is not visibly damaged or excessively loud. A quick pre-trip inspection is more useful than discovering a missing part at the entrance.
Match the machine to the trail
Michigan DNR identifies three ORV trail types by width: motorcycle-only trails maintained at 24 inches, trails maintained at 50 inches, and ORV routes maintained at a minimum of 72 inches. Those categories matter because the machine’s width can affect where it may ride. Check the signs and current park information to make sure your ATV or UTV is suited to the permitted areas; do not assume every route is open to every vehicle type.
Trail conditions can also change. The Michigan DNR may close state trails and facilities due to weather-related events or wet conditions. Check current park notices before leaving, especially after substantial rain or during conditions likely to affect the ground. A planned ride is not a guarantee that every area will be open when you arrive.
Check rider eligibility and safety requirements
A permit does not make every rider eligible to operate every machine. Michigan’s public-land age and supervision rules apply at Holly Oaks, and operators and passengers must also follow helmet, passenger, lighting, and other safety requirements.
According to the Michigan DNR, a person under 16 must have a valid ORV safety certificate and be under the direct visual supervision of an adult when operating an ATV unsupervised on public lands is otherwise restricted. The DNR also says children under 10 may not operate four-wheel ATVs on public lands. In practical terms, do not treat a safety certificate as permission for a young rider to ride alone: direct visual supervision remains part of the stated rule. For more detail, see Michigan ORV Safety Certificate for Riders Under 16 and Michigan ORV Age Rules at 10, 12 and 16.
For non-resident riders aged 12 to 15, the Michigan Legislature says the rider must present a Michigan Part 811 ORV safety certificate or a comparable certificate issued under another state’s or a Canadian province’s authority. If a young visitor is coming from outside Michigan, confirm the certificate is accepted and bring it along. Do not leave the documentation question until you are at the park.
Michigan’s general helmet rule also matters. According to the Michigan Legislature, ORV operators and passengers generally must wear a Department of Transportation-approved crash helmet and protective eyewear. An exception may apply in certain circumstances, including a UTV equipped with an approved roof when occupants wear properly adjusted and fastened safety belts. The exception depends on the vehicle and conditions, so do not assume that simply riding in a UTV removes the helmet requirement. Check the details in Michigan Helmet Law for ATV Riders.
Passenger rules are another point to verify before bringing a second rider. The Michigan Legislature says a person may not carry a passenger on an ORV unless the vehicle’s manufacturing standards or design explicitly provide for transporting passengers. A seat that happens to fit someone does not necessarily mean a machine is designed to carry a passenger. Follow the vehicle’s intended seating arrangement and restraint requirements.
A Michigan driver’s license is not required for adults operating an ATV on public roads designated for ORV use, according to the Michigan Legislature. For people under 18, the Legislature says the applicable condition is either having a valid driver’s license or being under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian while holding an ORV safety certificate. That road-use rule does not replace Holly Oaks’ permit or park requirements, and it should not be read as permission to ride on roads that are not designated for ORV use.
Use a pre-ride checklist to avoid a wasted trip
Before setting out, confirm that the park is open, the machine can meet its equipment rules, and each rider has the required credentials. Keep the checks simple and specific:
- Verify the current Holly Oaks entrance fee and the park’s operating status.
- Confirm that the Michigan ORV license and trail permit are valid for the planned visit.
- Check the expiration date; according to the Michigan DNR, annual licenses and permits expire on March 31 of the following year.
- Confirm the machine has a spark-arresting exhaust silencer or end cap, meets Holly Oaks’ stated 94 dB limit, and displays the required orange dune-style whip flag.
- Check the rider’s age, safety certificate, and supervision arrangements.
- Make sure passengers ride only on a vehicle designed to carry them, and check helmet and seat-belt requirements.
- Review the park’s current notices for closures or weather-related restrictions.
The requirement to have both state permits applies even if you are visiting for a short ride. According to the Michigan Legislature, operating an ORV without a required trail permit is a state civil infraction, with a civil fine of not more than $500. That is a reason to confirm the permit before leaving, not to treat the trail permit as optional.
Other operating rules remain relevant once you are on the machine. Michigan law requires headlights and taillights to be illuminated when an ORV is operated from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, according to the Michigan Legislature. The Legislature also sets the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for ORV operation at 0.08 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine. Plan for a sober operator and properly working lights if riding during darkness.
Holly Oaks is a designated ORV area, but that does not mean every machine or rider is automatically cleared for every part of the park. Trail width, equipment, rider age, changing conditions, and current closures can all affect the day. Checking the requirements before loading up is the most reliable way to prevent a permit or equipment issue from ending the visit early.
Sources
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources — ORV FAQs – State of Michigan (checked October 28, 2026)
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources — Purchase permit, learn requirements – State of Michigan (checked October 28, 2026)
- Michigan Legislature — MCL – Section 324.81131 (checked October 28, 2026)
- Michigan Legislature — MCL Section 324.81133 (checked October 28, 2026)
- Michigan Legislature — MCL Section 324.81134 (checked October 28, 2026)
- Michigan Legislature — Michigan Compiled Laws, Section 324.81147 (checked October 28, 2026)
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources — DNR Closures – State of Michigan (checked October 28, 2026)
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources / Oakland County Parks and Recreation — Holly Oaks ORV Park | Oakland County, MI (checked October 29, 2026)
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
