Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25, 2026!
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, riders and volunteers will come together on Drummond Island for the annual ORV/ATV Spring Trail Cleanup.
The Drummond Island Off-Road Alliance (DIORA) will host this annual event, bringing riders and volunteers together to kick off the season while giving back to the trail system that so many of us enjoy. After a long winter, trails often need attention—from clearing debris to identifying areas that may need maintenance before peak season begins.
DIORA is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to maintaining and protecting Drummond Island’s trail system, working to ensure these shared spaces remain safe, sustainable, and accessible for future generations.
One of the things that makes Drummond Island’s trail system so special is the shared commitment to keeping it in great shape. Riders from across the off-road community—whether on ATVs, side-by-sides, or full-size rigs—step up to volunteer and take pride in the trails they enjoy. What’s especially meaningful is that many of these efforts come from visitors, with off-islanders working alongside local residents to maintain the very trails that bring them here, strengthening both the trail system and the broader off-road community.
Trail maintenance is no small task. It takes time, effort, and collaboration to keep routes safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone. And that idea—people working together to care for and enjoy shared land—is part of a much bigger picture.
Spring Trail Cleanup Details
Start Time 9:00 AM
Meeting Location:
Northwood Restaurant parking lot at the four corners (29944 E Channel Rd) at 9:00 AM
Bring what you can:
- Loppers, chainsaws, brushing tools
- Trash bags & gloves
- Boots, water, snacks
No ORV? No problem! We have roadside cleanup areas that are easy to access—great for families.
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Check-In & Assignments
- Sign-in
- Trail routes and roadside cleanup areas assigned
- Coffee & donuts provided
- Need an ORV license & trail permit? You can pick these up at Drummond Island Outfitters on your way out to the trails. They open at 9:00 AM, and the total is $36.25 (cash only).
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Trail & Roadside Cleanup
- Teams head out to assigned areas
- Please bring a packed lunch
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Return & Wrap-Up
- Share observations
- Submit photos and notes
2:30 – 5:30 PM
Rest & Recharge
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Dinner Gathering at Northwood Bar & Restaurant
- One drink token + appetizers provided by DIORA
9:00 PM – Midnight
Live Music 🎶
- Gary & Friends at Northwood Bar & Restaurant
For updates, event details, and future trail initiatives, follow the Drummond Island Off-Road Alliance (DIORA).
Your Participation Makes a Difference
On March 30, 2026, Michigan permanently protected 73,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula, known as the Michigamme Highlands. This land will remain undeveloped while still being open to the public for recreation—including ORV riding, hunting, hiking, and more—while also allowing sustainable timber use to continue.
Click here to read the full article.
This project is a strong example of how conservation and recreation can work together. A wide range of users—from hunters and anglers to ORV riders and hikers—can share and enjoy public land responsibly.
Here on Drummond Island, we see that same balance every day. Much of the trail system is located on land funded through Fish & Game programs. While this helps protect the land and keep it public, it also comes with important guidelines.
Because of this funding, the land must primarily support wildlife and activities like hunting and fishing. Other uses—such as ORV riding, hiking, and biking—are allowed, but only if they do not interfere with those primary purposes.
This creates a unique challenge. Drummond Island is widely known as a destination for off-road recreation, but the land must still be managed with a wildlife-first approach.
That means decisions about trail maintenance, expansion, and even how the trails are promoted must be carefully considered. It’s not just about adding access—it’s about protecting the land while making sure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
That’s why collaboration is so important. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and DIORA are working together—along with Trails, Wildlife, and Forestry—to better understand these guidelines and find solutions that support both recreation and conservation.
An upcoming roundtable discussion will bring together trail groups and DNR representatives to align on how these lands can be managed moving forward.
In many ways, the Spring Trail Cleanup is a perfect example of this bigger idea in action. When riders—both local and visiting—come together to care for the trails, they’re not just maintaining routes—they’re helping ensure that Drummond Island remains a place where recreation and conservation can successfully coexist.
