What's it like riding the U.P.'s electrified trails?

Am I riding a trail to the future?

Seated behind the wheel of a Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic I’m zipping along a dusty two-track through the thick woods of Ottawa National Forest, far, it seems, from civilization even though Marquette is about two hours away.

This two-track is part of a network of electrified trails in the western Upper Peninsula. Four charging stations have been planted in four convenient locations, easing any concerns outdoor enthusiasts may have about charging their electric off-road vehicles while exploring about 125 miles of state-designated ORV trails in Ontonagon County. The trail network passes through Ottawa National Forest, commercial forest crop lands, and seasonal county roads. 

Polaris, Inc., a global leader in powersports, is behind this ground-breaking project in this remote region of the U.P. It’s believed to be the first of its kind electric off-road vehicle charging network in the country. 

“Our charging network launched with a grand opening in June, and the program is gaining momentum with positive feedback,” says Jess Rogers, a spokesperson for Polaris, which welcomed media to experience the trails in June. My visit came a bit later, in July. “Interest has been strong, especially after the opening, and we expect it to continue into the fall, as the trail offers stunning views of the Gogebic Range, perfect for enjoying the fall colors.”

Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for PolarisMedia participated in a ride on the electrified trail in June.

Minnesota-based Polaris may be the first to the Michigan woods with an electrified trail, but there is already interest elsewhere in the U.P. Regional planning officials in the central U.P. are exploring the possibility of developing electrified trails.

These public and private efforts come not only as interest in off-road vehicles is exploding (Michigan was home to 299,195 licensed ORVs in 2022, up 20 percent from 2019) but also as the state pushes toward electrification and tech-enabled vehicles in outdoor recreation. Michigan aims to be a leader in that sector. Outdoor recreation is also big business in the Great Lakes State, adding billions of dollars to Michigan's economy and providing more than 100,000 direct jobs and sparking entrepreneurship and other opportunities.

Before the ride

My host for the Polaris-sponsored outing is Steve Hamilton, the affable owner of Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures, which is part of his 1,000-acre ranch and campground outside Ontonagon. Hamilton’s is home to one of the four electric charging stations and is also a Polaris outfitter. In fact, Hamilton's is the first to offer electric ORV rentals in the country. He has a fleet of six 2024 Polaris Ranger XP Kinetics, available for half-day and full-day self-guided excursions.

Hamilton's North Coast AdventuresHamilton's North Coast Adventures leases a fleet of six e-ORVs.I expected Steve Hamilton to be my guide, but he has other business at hand and can't get away. I’m not new to the woods but I’m a little anxious about this endeavor. I’m more of a hiker and explore trails with a paper map and compass in hand. Hamilton assures me I’ll be fine; the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic boasts a top-quality GPS and navigation system. At his suggestion, I use my cellphone to videotape him giving directions.

These electric ORVs sport 29-inch tires and are fully enclosed cabins with heat, air conditioning, Bluetooth stereos, wipers and windshield sprayers, providing the premium experience Polaris is known for, Hamilton points out. The machines feature a 110-horsepower, all-electric motor with nearly 30 kilowatts of battery storage.

Greg TaskerThe excursion included time along the multi-use Pioneer Trail in Ottawa National Forest.Before I hop into the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic, Hamilton gives me the low-down on safety – riders must wear helmets, use seatbelts, keep headlights on and always drive to the right (all trails are two ways and riders can be hard to see around a curve or hill). He demonstrates gear shifting, braking, and points out the Polaris RIDECOMMAND, the company's stellar GPS navigation and wayfinding system. He makes sure everything is working and demonstrates how to charge.

I give the ORV a quick spin around the dirt parking area and then I’m off.

On the trail

Although I am new to off-road vehicles, I feel in control behind the wheel, accelerating during long, open stretches and slowing for hill climbs and bumpy, rocky patches. There’s noise, for sure, but the electric ORV is quieter than its gas-powered counterpart. There's a constant hum for sure but it doesn’t seem much louder than a fat-tire bicycle cruising along a paved trail. Polaris officials have pointed out the electric ORV is a quieter operation for early and late job needs and for working around livestock.

Maneuvering the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic is easy, and the ride is pretty smooth. Climbing gravel-choked or muddy roads is a breeze. I could pop on the air conditioning to ease the early August heat but I’m comfortable with the windows cracked open. It’s been dry in the U.P. and the ORV kicks up dust, which seeps into the cabin.

Greg TaskerVictoria Falls My destination is Victoria Falls on the west branch of the Ontonagon River, about 15 miles from Hamilton’s. I’m watching the navigation system as I cruise along but I really have no clue where I am. This branch of the Ontonagon River, I am told, was once the home of the famous Ontonagon Boulder (a copper boulder weighing almost two tons -- it's now in the Smithsonian). As you might expect, the falls are beautiful and a few people are moseying about, snapping photos, and some fishing. 

Back on the trail, the navigation system comes in handy. I’ve tried to remember landmarks at various turns but the mostly wooded landscape blends together. The navigation helps steer me in the right direction after I blow by one of my essential turns. I had planned to continue southward to Berglund for lunch, but after driving the wrong way for a considerable stretch, I’m concerned about how long the charge will last. 

Arriving back at Hamilton’s, Steve Hamilton assures me I would have made it to Bergland, where I could have plugged in the ORV at the charging station.

What’s next

So far, the electrified trails are attracting a diverse mix of tourists, locals, off-road enthusiasts, and new riders, says Rogers, the Polaris spokesperson. “Visitors, including out-of-state and other parts of Michigan, often plan this electric off-road adventure as a key part of their trip. The experience is customizable, allowing exploration beyond the roads, making it appealing to a wide audience,” she says.

Polaris was one of three companies awarded grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support the modernization of the state’s mobility offerings and its outdoor recreation industry as it transitions to more electric and technology-enabled vehicles. Specifically, Polaris received a $700,000 MEDC grant to establish EV chargers on off-road trails in the western Upper Peninsula. 

Greg TaskerTrail information at the charging station in Bergland.“Like Michigan, we’re passionate about the outdoors and finding innovative ways to enhance outdoor experiences,” Rogers says. “The grant was aimed at helping modernize the state’s mobility offerings and its outdoor recreation industry to more electric and technology-enabled vehicles. With that, there was an opportunity to address charging, one of the bigger challenges when it comes to bringing electrification to recreational use with our off-road vehicles.”

There are environmental benefits as well. The electric ORVs are quieter and are not using fossil fuels for power, reducing carbon emissions. There is no oil or oil filters to change.

At this time, Polaris has no plans to extend the trail network by adding more chargers. “Our focus is on this experience in Michigan and learning all we can from this charging network as we think about the future of powersports electrification,” Rogers says.

Hamilton's North Coast AdventuresSteve HamiltonHamilton's has been leasing the electric ORVs for several months, accruing well over 10,000 miles of electric off-road experiences among users. Those users include all types, including newcomers to the activity, hardcore ORV users, those opposed to the sport, the green-minded and the mobility impaired. 

“It’s a great equalizer in the woods,” Hamilton says. “Not everyone can hike several hundred feet or up hills. It’s a great recreational opportunity for all types of people.”

Are electrified trails and electric recreational vehicles the future?

"I hope it's a component of the future" he says. "In my humble opinion, given society's dependence on petroleum-based transportation and recreation, I see that as pretty long-term thing. I don't see them going away. I do see electric recreation as a component of that, but I don't see it being the whole future."

Greg Tasker is the managing editor of UPword Michigan and Rural Innovation Exchange. He previously was an editor in the business and features departments at The Detroit News. Greg has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and his work has been published in various media including BBC Travel, Michigan Blue, AAA Living, Budget Travel, Crain's Detroit, Parade, and Model D.