Holly Oaks ORV Park, Holly, MI — September 11, 2020
The much anticipated Holly Oaks Offroad Recreational Vehicle Park is set to celebrate its Grand Opening to the public on Thursday, September 17, 2020. Located at 14551 Shields Rd, Holly, MI 48442 the facility will feature 235 total acres for ORV recreation. Phase one of the project is complete and ready for drivers and riders to kick up some dirt.
The unique partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
and Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) provides an exciting opportunity for ORV riding in Groveland and Holly townships, and be open to all vehicle types including full-size, side-by-sides, ATVs, and motorcycles/dirt bikes. The property was acquired with a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and will be operated by Oakland County Parks and Recreation (OCPR) in partnership with the DNR.
Ribbon Cutting
Special guests, public officials, and the media were invited today to join Oakland
County Parks and Recreation and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a Ribbon Cutting Celebration at Holly Oaks ORV Park.
Speakers addressed the amount of work it took to bring the dream of such an adventure, that started 20 years ago, to reality. It is only the 2nd park in the State of Michigan that shares joint management by the county and the DNR. It is fitting that the park is located in Oakland County, the county with the highest number of SUV registrations in the State. Former Michigan Secretary of State and current Michigan State Senator Ruth Johnson, a local resident, was on-hand to assist in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In her remarks, Johnson referenced that the property had once been prospected to be used as a dumpsite and industrial compound. The culmination of the effort to stop such a facility being built there has come full circle to its use now as a park for outdoor recreation.
The park was used recently to film clips featured in the new Ford Bronco introduction videos. The iconic Ford off-road vehicle is returning at the right time for Michigan enthusiasts, the Holly Oaks ORV Park is sure to be a popular spot to give your Built Ford Tough vehicle a workout. Lasco Ford YouTube vehicle demonstration expert, Paul Zagman, was on hand to give the course a tryout. His ride-along video is going to be another hit in the series.
One more week and you can test out the Holly Oakes ORV Park yourself. Need a vehicle, Paul can help you with that too. Contact Lasco Ford at 888-581-6792, Broncos are currently being reserved for the 2021 model year.
Park Preview
The Holly Oakes ORV Park provided a site preview with detail on the Adventure Areas guests can participate in.
Using a series of abandoned sand and gravel mines, Oakland County Parks and Recreation and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources set about to create a park that would be enjoyed by drivers and riders of all off-road vehicle types. ORV users with decades
of experience evaluated every aspect of Holly Oaks ORV Park and proposed a series of Adventure Areas highlighting a variety of riding experiences “from the mild to the wild.”
Each Adventure Area is uniquely themed and capitalizes on the landscape left behind by the site’s previous miners.
Most of the Areas are designated as “Pick Your Own Adventure.” Essentially, they are scramble areas where riders are free to explore and choose the experience that best suits them and their rigs. Riders are encouraged to follow well-worn “two-tracks” through these areas, especially if they are in a stock vehicle or just becoming familiar with the site.
Some of the Adventure Areas are considered “Closed Courses” meaning they have limited entrances/exits to preserve one-way travel and restrict the size of vehicles allowed on the trails. In a couple of cases, those areas included designated Short Courses that allow
riders to experience higher speeds or directional challenges.
A primary access route through the park has been established on the bed of the original mining “Haul Road.” Together with a series of ORV Routes that crisscross the park, the Haul Road allows patrons to meander through the site, navigate to the various Adventure
Areas and rig-watch along the way.
A 2-mile uni-directional Endurance Trail has also been added to give patrons an exciting way to circumnavigate the site or travel between Adventure Areas.
View the entire Adventure Area Brochure
Holly Oaks Adventure Areas 2020 FINALHolly Oaks ORV Park Dates, Times, and Fees
Grand Opening – September 17th, 2020
- Hours of Operation
- Opening Weekend
- Thursday, September 17, 2-8 p.m.
- Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Opening Weekend
Friday September 25, 2-8 p.m. September 26-27, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
October: Fridays 2-7 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
November 1: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
November 7 – 29 – Saturday & Sunday only 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Winter 2021 hours are to posted by mid-October.
Anticipated future hours (2021 and beyond):
April, May, September (after Labor Day), October – Open Th – Sun (Closed Mon – Wed), 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. September, 10 – 7 p.m. October
Winter (November – March) – Open Saturday & Sunday only, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Memorial Day to Labor Day – Open Wed – Mon (closed Tuesdays), 10 a.m. – 8 pm
- Holidays
Thanksgiving – Closed Thanksgiving day, open Wednesday before and Friday after
Christmas – Closed Christmas day, additional open days TBD
- Fees
$15 per vehicle entering the park (through the contact station). Wrist bands can be worn by an individual who wishes to use multiple vehicles in the park on a visit (one at a time). Or it can be attached to a rear-view mirror or another part of a vehicle if only one vehicle will be used in the park. All vehicles through the contact station will need a wrist band on-board (on a person or on the vehicle).
- ORV Sticker and ORV Trail stickers will be required for entry and will be able to be purchased at the park.
MDNR ORV Sticker – $26.25
MDNR ORV Trail Sticker – $10.00
The sale of these stickers goes back to a special funding source at the DNR that provides grants for ORV facilities in Michigan. Holly Oaks ORV Park (which is owned by the DNR and operated by Oakland County Parks in partnership with the DNR) has already been the recipient of development funding for the park from the sale of MDNR ORV stickers.
- All types of off-road vehicles are allowed – must have a muffler. Maximum allowable noise level is 94 dB(A)
- Children 12 and older with an ORV safety certificate issued by the state (or another state) may operate an ATV or motorcycle at the park with direct supervision
- All other vehicle operators must have a valid operator’s license (drivers license)
