Off-road vehicle enthusiasts are invited to attend the 2nd annual State Park Off-Road Trek (S.P.O.R.T) ORV ride on Friday and Saturday, June 14-15, to continue the celebration of the ORV connector route linking Baraga and Twin Lakes state parks in the western Upper Peninsula.
This year’s event will include an opportunity to select from four afternoon rides that will depart from Twin Lakes State Park on Saturday at 1 p.m. The rides will lead to Freda/Redridge Dam, Baraga/Baraga Plains Trail, the Bill Nicholls triple trestles and the Adventure Mine Tour ride. Both Baraga State Park and Twin Lakes State Park will offer either a Friday evening kick-off ride or event and participating riders will receive a 50-percent discounted rate on a second night’s stay either at Baraga or Twin Lakes state parks. The discounted rate will be valid for the S.P.O.R.T ride weekend only.
Riders opting to stay at Baraga State Park will begin registration at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, followed by the ride to Twin Lakes State Park at 9 a.m. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. for those staying at Twin Lakes State Park. The lunch stop at Twin Lakes State Park will feature ride information, raffle prizes and vendor displays. Riders will begin their pre-registered afternoon ride at 1 p.m.
Baraga State Park (a quarter-mile south of Baraga, at 1300 US-41 South) and Twin Lakes State Park (in Michigan’s Copper Country, at 6204 E. Poyhonen Road/M-26 in Houghton County) are the only state parks in the western Upper Peninsula where ORV use is allowed.
The annual S.P.O.R.T ride is free of charge except for the Adventure Mine Tour, which is offered at a discounted price of $11. The S.P.O.R.T ride is sponsored by Baraga State Park and Twin Lakes State Park in partnership with Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment (Mi-TRALE) and the Baraga County Convention and Bureau Center.
A valid 2013 Michigan ORV license is required for all ORVs participating in the event. Participants are asked to pre-register by June 7 by calling Baraga State Park at 906-353-6558 or Twin Lakes State Park at 906-288-3321.
For more information about the annual SPORT ride and the new ORV connector route, contact Baraga State Park supervisor Dan Dowdy at 906-353-6558. More information about ORV riding opportunities in Michigan can be found online at www.michigan.gov/orvtrails.
A Registration Passport is required for vehicles entering Baraga and Twin Lakes state parks. The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking “YES” for the $11 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, non-motorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. In addition, Recreation Passport holders can experience real savings at businesses and retailers that participate in the Passport Perks discount program. The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($30.50 annual; $8.40 daily) at any state park or recreation area or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.
Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan’s outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. For information on Passport Perks shopping discounts or how businesses and retailers can enroll in the program, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
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