Most visitors to a state park or recreation area may be unaware that all roads and parking areas within the park are, in fact, public highways governed by Michigan's Motor Vehicle Code.

Any motor vehicle using these roads and parking areas, which have been developed solely for access, egress and parking, must be registered and licensed by the Secretary of State and must have a valid State Park Motor Vehicle Permit. 

However, there is a broad category of other motor-powered conveyances used by the public for recreation purposes that are not addressed by Motor Vehicle Code or the State's Off-Road Vehicle Code.   

To ensure public safety, the DNR has developed administrative rules that govern the lawful operation of these vehicles when people are using them within a state park and recreation area.

Such rules are necessary whenever there is a mix of small vehicles with large camping rigs in a confined camping area, or when the indiscriminate operation of any motor-powered conveyance presents an increased safety hazard to the public.

Electric scooters, Go-peds, Segways, golf carts, mopeds, Amigos, small quads and a host of other motor-powered conveyances are illegal to operate on park roadways unless they are licensed or being operated by a mobility impaired person.

Please leave the electric and gasoline scooters at home unless they are licensed and you are prepared to purchase a motor vehicle permit.

Mopeds must be registered and carry a registration sticker in compliance with the Motor Vehicle Code before they may be operated on a roadway, street or park road. And, like bicycles, they must be operated on the far right edge of the roadway out of the flow of traffic.

The state's Motor Vehicle Code also governs the licensing of moped operators. "A person 15 years of age or older who does not possess a valid operator's license may obtain a special restricted license to operate a moped on a public roadway. Persons under 15 years of age shall not operate a moped on a public roadway. All moped operators under 19 years of age must wear safety helmets. Operators 19 years and older are not legally required to wear safety helmets."

The small, electric quads driven by children may be used only on your campsite; never on any park roads. Please be considerate of your neighbors when allowing your child to operate this type of vehicle on your campsite. Gasoline varieties of these vehicles are not permitted. For safety reasons, never allow your child to drive it near the road.

In order to provide mobility impaired persons universal access to all state park and recreation areas, a motorized vehicle, such as an Amigo or golf cart that is incapable of being licensed under the Motor Vehicle Code or ORV Code, may be operated in the park when used solely by a mobility impaired person for his or her movement. This vehicle is not required to have a motor vehicle permit.

Please do not allow others to operate this conveyance. Remember  the use is for a mobility imparied person.

An Amigo may be used anywhere a visitor is allowed to walk. A golf cart (gas or electric) may be allowed, by a special use permit, to be driven on trails and walkways, in areas for public recreation, and on docks and access sites.   (A special use permit may be obtained by writing a request letter to the supervisor of the location you intend to visit.  Please send the letter well in advance of your planned stay to allow time for the response to reach you before you depart home.)

Please drive safely this summer when you visit out parks, harbors and access sites. Watch out for our children and reduce your speed.