With more than 115 miles of recreational ATV trails in Michigan’s Huron National Forest, Bull Gap is a premier destination for any ATV enthusiast. Base yourself in Mio and spend the weekend tackling sandy soil and hard-packed dirt.
This is where you’ll find tons of miles, thrilling terrain, lakeside camping, and a trail hub town where you can actually ride your machine to grab a burger. Among the best trail experiences Michigan has to offer, the Bull Gap system sits in the north-central Lower Peninsula. Whether you are a seasoned rider chasing technical challenges or someone who just wants to put serious miles behind them over a long weekend, this ATV trail system delivers.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mio, Michigan |
| Trail Miles | 115+ |
| Difficulty | Beginner to Advanced |
| Best Feature | Bull Gap Hill Climb |
| Camping | Mack Lake, Mio Pines Acres |
| Vehicle Width | 50" or less |
| Riding Season | Year-round |
| Trail Hours | 6 a.m.–9 p.m. |
To get to Bull Gap, Michigan, you’ll need to get to Mio, Michigan first. This is about 30 miles east of Grayling and 30 miles north of West Branch.
Once you're in Mio and set up your base camp, head to Bull Gap.
Once you’re in Mio and exploring the Bull Gap Trail System, new riders and families with younger participants will find their footing on the northern sections of the Bull Gap trail network. These corridors run through relatively flat, open terrain where the sandy soil is loose but forgiving, and the wide 50-inch trail cut gives newcomers room to breathe and correct mistakes without the consequence of a steep drop-off or sudden rocky obstacle.
The northern portion of the system is described by experienced riders as sandy and whooped out, meaning the trail surface has a rolling, wave-like texture from repeated ATV traffic. That sounds intimidating, but at slower speeds, these whoops are manageable and offer a great way for beginners to develop throttle control and body positioning. The trail is wide, well-marked, and runs one-way, so there is no concern about oncoming traffic, especially at tight or narrow turns.
Forest roads within the network also offer a gentler introduction. These wider corridors have harder-packed surfaces and minimal elevation change, making them ideal for building confidence before venturing onto the more technical single-track style sections.
Dust and dirt are real considerations at Bull Gap, particularly during the dry summer months. Conditions can reduce visibility to just a few feet ahead on busier days, when ATV traffic is kicking up the dust ahead of you. Beginners should carry goggles, ride with extra following distance, and check TrailIntel for real-time condition updates before heading out. The one-way trail design helps, but dust can still catch riders off guard at intersections and open areas.
Additionally, communities surrounding the trail system, including Mio, have passed local ordinances allowing ATVs on the shoulders of public roads. This means beginners can ride from camp or lodging directly to trailheads without trailering across the area, a genuine convenience that makes the Bull Gap experience feel seamless from the moment you arrive.
These trails are known for:
The northern portions tend to be sandier and more rutted than the southern sections, requiring better body positioning and throttle control.
Many experienced riders consider the ride between Bull Gap and Meadows one of the best all-day outings.
This route rewards riders who are comfortable standing on the pegs and maintaining momentum through sand.
The Meadows network is often described as ideal for intermediate riders because it offers:
It's a great place to build speed and confidence without constantly dealing with technical obstacles.
Intermediate riders will find Bull Gap at its most rewarding. The trail system was built with this tier in mind, offering enough variety to keep experienced riders engaged over multiple days without demanding the precise technical skill of the most extreme sections. Dense forest corridors, rolling hills, and a mix of sandy and hard-packed surfaces make up the bulk of the experience.
As the trail moves south and into the central sections of the system, the character shifts noticeably. Sandy open areas give way to oak and jack pine forest with tighter trail corridors, rooted surfaces, and more meaningful elevation change. The trail still runs one way throughout, which keeps traffic flowing and allows riders to maintain momentum through technical sections rather than worrying about head-on encounters.
The loop options available within the 115-mile system are a major asset for intermediate riders. Rather than committing to a single long out-and-back route, you can build a custom day using the network's interconnected loops, adjusting distance and challenge level based on how the group is feeling. Several loop combinations will put you on entirely new terrain each day, which is one of the reasons riders return to Bull Gap season after season.
One of the unique advantages of the Bull Gap system is its connectivity. The Michigan Cross Country Cycle Trail is a network of connector roads and trails linking ORV systems across the Lower Peninsula. Intermediate riders who want more miles or different scenery can use these connectors to transition out of the Bull Gap network entirely, opening up significantly more riding territory without having to drive between trail systems.
It is worth noting that some sections within the broader trail network are designated motorcycle-only and clearly marked as such. Always verify trail permissions before turning onto an unmarked spur, and use TrailIntel to check current access conditions, which can change seasonally or after weather events.
The signature challenge at Bull Gap is the famous hill climb/play area:
For many riders, successfully climbing the hill consistently is the benchmark advanced challenge at Bull Gap.
The northern portions of the trail system are known for:
These trails reward riders who can stay standing, maintain momentum, and read terrain several bumps ahead. They are often considered more demanding than the southern sections.
Experienced riders often link Bull Gap with The Meadows system to create long, physically demanding rides:
For experienced riders, Bull Gap saves its best feature for last: the hill climb. Bull Gap Hill is the centerpiece of the entire trail system, a dune that functions as a gathering point, a challenge arena, and the defining moment of any serious rider. The hill attracts riders from across the region, specifically to test themselves and their machines against one of Michigan's most celebrated natural obstacles. This is a bucket list item for many serious ATV riders, and many describe finishing it as a step up in their ATV experience.
The hill climb is structured as a one-way ascent with two separate return trails descending from the top. One return is designated for machines up to 50 inches in width, the standard ATV and SXS lane. The other is reserved for full-sized trucks, making this the only section of the Bull Gap system where larger vehicles are permitted. Because this area gets busy on weekends, this separation helps keep traffic organized and reduces conflict at the base.
The open area surrounding Bull Gap Hill is intentionally unstructured, giving advanced riders space to run uphill drag races, test acceleration lines, and read the shifting sand conditions that change with weather and traffic. This is where Bull Gap earns its reputation as a destination rather than just a trail. Groups often spend hours here between loops, watching other riders run the climb and making repeated attempts of their own.
Away from the sand, the southern corridors of the Bull Gap system shift to rocky, hard-packed ground with steep inclines and challenging descents. This is the terrain that earns the system its intermediate-to-advanced overall rating from most trail reviewers. The rock sections demand commitment, proper line selection, and controlled throttle management, particularly on descents where loose material over hardpack can catch riders off guard at higher speeds.
Advanced riders comfortable on this terrain will find the combination of sand, forest, and rock within a single connected trail system genuinely rare. Most dedicated ORV parks specialize in one surface type. Bull Gap's location in the Huron National Forest offers access to a range of terrain that keeps the riding varied and consistently engaging from start to finish.
With so much to do in Bull Gap, it might feel overwhelming to decide how to plan your weekend. Here at TrailIntel, we’ve narrowed it down for you so you can maximize your time both on the trail and in town.
Getting to the trailhead before dark on Friday gives you the best pick of campsites and time to unload your machines without rushing. There are two solid camping options depending on your setup.
The Mack Lake Campground, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, is right in the middle of the riding area at the 175-acre Mack Lake. It has 42 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, and the use fee is $5 a day or $15 a week, with single-site camping at $15 per night. This is the go-to spot for tent campers and those who prefer a no-frills, trail-access setup. Campsites are close to the trail, making it easy to wake up in the morning and hop on your ATV.
For those looking for full hookups and more spacious RV sites, Mio Pines Acres Campground has direct access to the trail system. It has more amenities and is a great choice if you’re looking for something in proximity to the trails.
Once camp is set, Friday night is a great time to go over your gear, check tire pressures, and pull up TrailIntel to review current trail conditions and any flagged hazards before you start riding on Saturday.
Give yourself an early start; the trails are open year-round from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Getting up early helps you beat the rush and summer heat. All OHVs must display a valid ORV sticker as required by state law. Make sure yours is current.
The Bull Gap trail system consists mainly of 50-inch-wide, one-way sand and loose-dirt trails that wind through predominantly public land and connect the communities of Luzerne, McKinley, Mio, and South Branch. You can explore much of the Bull Gap area on these connected trails without retracing your steps.
The trail offers riders hilly terrain through oak, jack pine, and other common forest cover types. The northern sections tend to be sandy and whooped out, while the southern routes run rockier and harder-packed. The trails vary from flat open sections to hilly, technical terrain.
The McKinley loop is a rider favorite worth dropping into early in the day. It has a little bit of everything, from smooth, fast mixed-traffic sections, sand whoops, and tight woods. This is great if you’re riding with a group of mixed skill levels. The town of McKinley is street-legal for ATVs, so you can ride right to the gas pump if you need a fuel top-off.
No trip to this system is complete without spending time at the hill climb. The sand hill is long and steep at two-tenths of a mile with a 35 to 40 percent grade. You’ll likely have an audience if you attempt to tackle the Bull Gap Hill Climb, since many spectators turn up and watch riders try to tackle the steep terrain. There is only one way up, but a couple of different return routes. Stay aware and be mindful of other riders.
Connector trails and nearby systems let you extend your ride. The trail system connects to broader Huron National Forest routes, which offer hundreds of miles of additional trails, so you can ride for the rest of the day without having to ride the same route.
Each of the nearby communities — Luzerne, McKinley, Mio, and South Branch — has passed local ordinances legalizing ATV use on the shoulders of most public roads, giving riders easy access to food, fuel, lodging, and other essentials. They are rider-friendly, and their amenities make riding that much more accessible.
Ride back to camp before sunset, clean up, and head into Mio for dinner. The town is small but has plenty of dining options. The Au Sable River area around Mio also offers excellent fishing if anyone in your group wants a quieter evening activity.
Sunday gives you a half- to full-day of riding before the drive home. Use TrailIntel to check whether conditions have shifted overnight, since rain can significantly alter sand trails, and plan your route accordingly.
The Bull Gap trails are open only to machines that are 50 inches or less in width, with the exception of the hill climb area, which is set aside for full-sized trucks as well. If you are running a wider SxS, you will want to stick to ORV routes and public roads rather than the designated trail sections. Check out the local Polaris dealer in Mio. They’re rider-friendly and a good stop for maps of roads that are legally open to wider machines.
During hot, dry summer months, the system can get extremely dusty, sometimes making visibility difficult on busier trail sections. Bring goggles, not just glasses, and give extra space between yourself and the rider in front of you on dry weekends. The DNR grades the trails roughly once a month, but some sections can still develop significant whoops and dips between maintenance cycles. Ride within your skill level and check TrailIntel before heading into a section you are unfamiliar with. One of the best parts of TrailIntel is that riders will update trail hazards before you even hit the trailhead.
A smooth weekend at Bull Gap comes down to preparation. Here is a quick list to run through before you load the trailer:
A trail system as large and dynamic as Bull Gap changes constantly. Trail conditions after rain, hazard reports from other riders, and updated closures can all affect your weekend if you go in blind. TrailIntel gives you real-time trail condition updates, community-reported hazards, and POI mapping so you always know what you are riding into before you twist the throttle. Pair it with a solid camp plan, and you have everything you need for a Bull Gap weekend worth repeating.
Trails are open year-round from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Riding outside these hours is not permitted.
The staging areas at Bull Gap are day-use only for parking, but overnight camping is available at the Mack Lake Campground, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Located directly in the middle of the riding area on 175-acre Mack Lake, the campground has 42 sites with fire rings and picnic tables at $15 per night. A day-use fee of $5 also applies. For riders needing full hookups or RV access, Mio Pines Acres Campground offers both amenities and direct trail access.
Bull Gap is not a trail system you visit once and check off the list. With terrain ranging from open, fast, and straight to tight, twisty, and technical, there is something new to explore across a wide range of ability levels. The combination of deep trail mileage, a genuinely iconic hill climb, lakeside camping, and rider-friendly towns makes this one of Michigan's most complete ORV destinations. Plan your weekend right, load up TrailIntel before you go, and get after it.
Bull Gap is located near the town of Mio in northeastern Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The main trailheads are accessible from M-33 and several forest roads within the Huron National Forest.
The trail system is designed primarily for off-road motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides that are 50 inches wide or less. Certain areas near the Bull Gap Hill Climb also permit larger street-legal 4x4 vehicles. Riders should check current regulations before visiting.
Yes. Michigan requires riders to have a valid ORV license and trail permit when operating on designated ORV trails. Requirements may change, so verify current regulations before your trip.
Yes, although some sections are better suited to intermediate riders. Beginners can enjoy many of the forest trails, while more experienced riders often seek out the sandy whoops, technical sections, and the challenging Bull Gap Hill Climb.
The Bull Gap Hill Climb is the trail system’s signature attraction. This steep sandy hill features a grade of approximately 30–40% and attracts riders looking to test their skills. It is also a popular spectator area, especially during holiday weekends.
A weekend is ideal. Most visitors spend two to three days riding different trail loops, visiting the hill climb, exploring nearby forest roads, and relaxing at campgrounds around Mack Lake and Meadows.
Popular camping options include Mack Lake ORV Campground and Meadows ORV Campground. Both offer convenient trail access, making it easy to ride directly from your campsite. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. Several campgrounds near the trail system accommodate RVs and trailers. Some nearby private campgrounds also offer larger sites and additional amenities for ORV enthusiasts.
Expect predominantly sandy terrain with sections of hard-packed dirt, forest roads, rolling hills, and occasional rocky areas. Conditions can change throughout the season depending on weather and trail traffic.
The most popular riding season runs from late spring through fall. Summer offers warm weather and long riding days, while fall provides colorful forest scenery and cooler temperatures. Always check current trail conditions before traveling.
Yes. In addition to ORV riding, visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, hiking, and exploring nearby lakes and rivers in the Huron National Forest. The Mio area also offers restaurants, stores, and lodging options for families.
Fuel is available in Mio and surrounding communities, but riders planning long loops should fuel up in advance and plan accordingly. Some experienced riders recommend carrying extra fuel for extended rides.
Essential items include:
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of camping at Mack Lake or Meadows is direct access to the ORV trail network, allowing riders to begin exploring immediately from camp.
Bull Gap combines extensive trail mileage, diverse terrain, direct campground access, and one of Michigan’s most recognizable hill-climb areas. Its interconnected trail system allows riders to spend an entire weekend exploring without repeating the same route.