Michigan Trail Widths and 64-Inch Machines
A 64-inch side-by-side can feel perfectly at home on a wide forest road, then meet a trail entrance too narrow for it to pass legally—or safely. Michigan’s trail labels matter because “ORV trail” and “ORV route” do not necessarily mean the same thing for machine width. This guide explains how to check your UTV’s fit before you haul it north.
How Michigan trail width rules affect 64-inch machines
Trails and routes can have different access limits
The key point is that a machine’s width does not automatically make every Michigan ORV trail or route accessible. Many designated ORV trails are limited to machines 50 inches wide or less. Wider machines may be allowed on designated ORV routes, where the route’s rules and posted signs determine what can use it. Some routes allow machines up to 65 inches wide, but you should verify the limit for the specific place you plan to ride.
A 64-inch UTV is therefore a close fit for any route with a 65-inch limit. It is not a fit for a 50-inch trail. And even when it meets a posted maximum, that does not mean every road, connecting trail, or spur nearby has the same allowance. A planned ride can cross several kinds of corridors, each with its own access rules.
The words “trail” and “route” are useful clues, but they are not a substitute for checking the map legend, local notices, and signs at the entrance. For a broader overview of how width designations work, start with [Michigan ORV Trail Widths Explained]. If you are choosing between different trail areas, [Michigan ORV Trails That Allow 50-Inch Machines] can also help clarify what narrow-trail access means for your plans.
Measure the machine you actually plan to ride
Before deciding that a UTV is 64 inches wide, check the manufacturer’s published width for the exact model and configuration. Width can vary by trim, tires, wheels, accessories, or modifications. A side-by-side fitted with wider aftermarket tires may not have the same overall width as the stock version listed in a brochure.
Measure the widest point from one side of the machine to the other, including anything that sticks out, such as tires, wheel spacers, or other fitted equipment. Use a level surface and measure across the machine rather than guessing from a model name. If the measurement is close to a route’s maximum, treat that as a reason to double-check—not as reassurance that a tight squeeze will be fine.
A machine’s listed width also does not tell the whole story about whether a trail is practical for it. Trees, rocks, ruts, tight turns, and soft shoulders can make a corridor feel narrower than its official designation. A vehicle that technically fits may still leave little room for safe steering or passing.
A 64-inch UTV is not a narrow-trail machine
A common mistake is assuming that a trail is open to a UTV simply because the vehicle is an ORV. The relevant question is whether that particular trail or route allows the machine’s width. If a corridor is limited to 50-inch machines, a 64-inch side-by-side should not be ridden there, even if the trail looks wide enough in one spot.
This matters when planning with friends who ride different machines. An ATV rider may be able to use a narrow trail that a wider side-by-side cannot. If the group follows the ATV rider’s preferred trail without checking first, the UTV driver may discover the restriction only after unloading or reaching a signed junction.
For comparisons and planning tips focused on larger machines, see [Wide Side-by-Sides on 50-Inch Trails]. The practical takeaway is simple: plan a route around the widest vehicle in the group, not the smallest one.
How to check whether a Michigan trail allows your UTV
Read the official map legend before choosing a route
Start with the map for the specific riding area. Find its legend and identify how the map distinguishes trails, routes, motorcycle-only corridors, and other restricted areas. Do not assume that a line on a map is open to every type of ORV. A route line may have a different width allowance from a nearby trail line, and a connecting section could have separate restrictions.
When using a digital map, zoom in far enough to see junctions and labels. A broad overview can make two corridors appear connected when the legal connection is actually a narrow segment or a road with separate rules. If you use onX Offroad to plan, compare its route information with the official Michigan DNR map and posted signs. onX Offroad can help you visualize a ride, but a planning app should not replace the controlling trail designation.
For help interpreting map markings and trail labels, refer to [Michigan ORV Trail Maps and What the Signs Mean] and [Michigan ORV Trail Signs and Markers]. Check the map before departure, then check the entrance when you arrive. If the sign and your expectation do not match, follow the posted restriction and revise the plan.
Confirm every segment, not just the destination
A destination may allow wider machines while the route you planned to reach it does not. This often happens when riders stitch together a long loop using several map layers, local roads, forest roads, and designated ORV corridors. One narrow connector can make an otherwise suitable route unusable for a 64-inch vehicle.
Trace the full ride from the staging area to the turnaround point. At each junction, ask whether the next segment is open to your machine’s width. Look for changes in designation, posted restrictions, seasonal closures, and local rules. If a route depends on an unclear connector, pick a backup that stays on corridors with confirmed access.
Digital tools can make this review easier. onX Offroad may help you compare route options and see where a planned loop changes direction, while an official map can confirm the local designation. Save the relevant map information before leaving home; cell service can be unreliable in remote areas, so don’t assume you can settle a confusing junction with a quick search on the trail.
Use signs and local notices as part of the check
Signs at trailheads and junctions can confirm restrictions, identify a route, or warn about conditions that have changed since you last rode. Pay attention even if you have visited the area before. A familiar trail can have a closure, a changed access point, or a new sign that affects the route you had planned.
If a sign is missing, damaged, or difficult to interpret, avoid treating the uncertainty as permission. Stop somewhere safe, consult the map, and choose a clearly permitted option. When needed, ask the relevant land manager or local authority for clarification before riding that segment.
Seasonal conditions also affect practical access. A corridor may be temporarily closed or damaged, and a detour can lead riders toward a segment that is not appropriate for their machine. Check [Michigan ORV Trail Closures and Seasonal Dates] before a trip, especially after heavy rain or during seasonal transitions. onX Offroad can be useful as a second planning view, but confirm any important closure or width question through authoritative local information.
| What you are checking | What it tells you | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer’s width for your exact model | The published machine width in its stated configuration | Confirm whether tires or modifications change the overall width |
| Your own measurement | The widest point of the machine as it is set up today | Measure across the widest fitted parts, not just the body |
| Map legend and corridor label | Whether the segment is a trail, route, or another type of access | Check the width rule associated with that designation |
| Entrance and junction signs | Posted restrictions or local conditions | Follow the sign and revise your route if access is unclear |
| Closure notices | Whether a normally open segment is currently unavailable | Plan an alternate route before unloading |
Planning a ride with a 64-inch UTV
Choose the area first, then build the loop
A good plan begins with a riding area that accommodates your machine, not with a loop someone posted online. Once you have selected an area, use its official map to identify corridors that permit your UTV’s width. Then build a ride around those corridors, checking every connector rather than assuming adjacent lines share the same access rules.
Think about the group, too. If riders are bringing both narrow ATVs and a wider UTV, confirm that the entire proposed route works for the side-by-side. It is frustrating to split the group or turn around after a long tow, but it is much better than entering a restricted trail and having to backtrack in a tight, rough section.
For destinations and riding areas with side-by-side access in mind, browse [Best Michigan ORV Trails for Side-by-Sides]. Treat any general recommendation as a starting point, then check the route details for your specific machine and ride date. Area rules and conditions can differ, even between nearby trail systems.
Account for real-world clearance and trail conditions
Width is a legal access question, but it is also a handling and safety question. A wide machine on a narrow, rutted trail may have little room to avoid a tree, stump, or soft edge. Wet ground can make a route harder to navigate, and a shoulder that looks firm may give way under a heavy UTV. Turning around can be especially difficult if the trail is narrow or lined with trees.
Consider your experience and the vehicle’s setup. A 64-inch machine with a roof, mirrors, or other additions may need more care around overhanging branches and tight turns, even if those items do not change its measured tire-to-tire width. Carry recovery gear appropriate to your ride, but don’t use recovery equipment as a reason to attempt a route that is restricted or beyond your group’s ability.
It also helps to set a clear group rule before leaving: if the map, sign, or width limit is uncertain, stop and verify rather than pressing ahead. That small pause can prevent a stressful turnaround, damage to the trail, or a conflict with other riders.
Make a backup plan for staging and parking
A route can be suitable while the staging area is not. Check where you can unload, park a truck and trailer, and turn around without blocking access for other riders. Review local parking notices before the trip, especially at busy trailheads where space may be limited. [Michigan ORV Trailhead Parking Rules] is a useful related read when you are sorting out where to leave a tow vehicle and trailer.
Plan an alternate route in case a closure, sign, or condition rules out your first choice. The backup should be a real option you have checked—not simply “we’ll see where we end up.” Save map details offline where possible, share the plan with the group, and agree on a meeting point if riders become separated.
For a ride through unfamiliar areas, leave enough time to check signs and make decisions without pressure. Rushing to meet a schedule is when people are most tempted to ignore a restriction or continue down a questionable connector. A little extra planning at home usually means a calmer ride once the machines are unloaded.
Common width-planning mistakes to avoid
Assuming a route is open because it looks wide
A wide-looking gravel road or forest corridor is not automatically open to ORVs, nor does its appearance tell you which machines are allowed. The legal designation and posted restrictions matter. A route may be physically broad but still have a defined width limit; another segment may look narrow yet be designated for a particular use.
Likewise, seeing tire tracks from a large UTV is not proof that access is legal. Other riders may have made a mistake, or the area’s rules may have changed. Use the map and signs rather than copying the behavior of the last machine you saw.
Relying on a single app or an old screenshot
A saved screenshot can help when cell service disappears, but it may not show a recent closure or a detail hidden at a wide zoom level. A navigation app can also display route lines without making every local restriction obvious. Use onX Offroad as a planning aid alongside the official map, and check current signs when you reach the riding area.
If different sources appear to conflict, do not choose the interpretation that gives you the most access. Pause and seek clarification from the land manager or another appropriate local authority. A short delay is preferable to entering a restricted corridor and having to explain why you did.
Treating a close measurement as extra room
If your machine measures close to a posted maximum, avoid assuming that the remaining margin will be enough everywhere. Width figures can be rounded, equipment can extend beyond the body, and trails can have obstructions that make a permitted route difficult. Check the actual setup, preserve clearance, and be willing to choose another ride if the fit is questionable.
For a 64-inch UTV, the most reliable approach is to find routes that explicitly allow that width, confirm the full connection from staging area to destination, and follow posted signs on the ground. That keeps the planning focused on what your machine can legally and comfortably ride—not what it might squeeze through.
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.
