Snowmobiling

General guidelines for snowmobiling the Indian River Area. Courtesy of the Inland Lakes Snowmobile Club and the Tuscarora Township Police Department.

Follow state law.  Below are excerpts from the snowmobile act which pertain to Indian River.

No snowmobiles allowed within the boundaries of I-75.

No snowmobiles on the plowed portions of Highway M-68 except to cross the highway or to go around a bridge or culvert.

A snowmobile may be operated on the roadway or shoulder when necessary to cross a bridge or culvert in the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before entering the roadway or shoulder and the driver yields to right of way to approaching vehicles.

A snowmobile may be operated across a public highway at a right angle to the highway, other than a limited access highway (I-75), for the purpose of getting from one area to another after stopping and yielding to oncoming traffic.

Snowmobiles may be operated on a highway which is not normally snowplowed for vehicular traffic and on the right of way or shoulder when no right of way exists on a snowplowed highway which is designated and marked for use by the county road commission.

Snowmobiling in the downtown area is limited to Club Road and the railroad bed.  For those snowmobilers wishing to access Burt Lake, the route is Martha Street from the railroad bed to Poplar Street, south along Poplar to Mack Street and Mack Street to Burt Lake.  On the west side of the main street downtown, these are the only streets that operation of snowmobiles will be allowed.  For residents living in the downtown area west of Sturgeon Avenue (main street), they will be allowed the most direct route from their residence to the above designated snowmobile route.  As of this time, there is no officially sanctioned route south of the M-68/Old 27 intersection (at Ken’s Village Market).

On the Cheboygan-Gaylord Trail (the railroad bed) in the section that was formerly closed there is a curfew between midnight and 8:00am.  There is also a posted speed limit of 35mph

A person shall not operate a snowmobile:

1. At a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper having due regard for conditions then existing.
2. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substance.
3. Without displaying a lighted headlight and taillight at all times.
4. Unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order.
5. Within 100 feet of a dwelling between 12 midnight and 6:00 a.m. at a speed greater than minimum required to maintain forward movement of snowmobile.
6. In a forest nursery planting area or lands posted as an area of forest reproduction.
7. In or upon lands of another without written consent.
8. On any public sidewalk.
9. Without wearing an approved helmet.  (This also applies to passengers.)
10. On or across a cemetery.

DEFINITIONS:

Highway or street – means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained if any part thereof is open for the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

Roadway – means that portion of a highway or street improved, designated or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.

Right of Way – means that portion of the highway or street less the roadway and any shoulder.

Shoulder – means that portion of a highway or street on either side of the roadway that is normally snowplowed for the safety and convenience of vehicular traffic.

Thank You for Snowmobiling the Indian River Area!