About Northbound Rentals

Built around the trail, the lake, and the ride home.

We started with one location, a handful of Polaris sleds, and a conviction that renting a machine should feel like borrowing a neighbor’s — just a really nice neighbor with a really nice garage. 600+ reviews and four locations later, that has not changed.

Northern Michigan trail
#1Rental company in Northern MI
4Locations from bay to trail
100+Rider group capacity
2026Brand-new fleet year
Why four locations, six categories, and 4.9 stars

What we actually believe.

01

Year-round, not seasonal

Most rental shops close half the year. We do not. Sleds December to March. UTVs and pontoons spring through fall. One shop, every season.

02

The whole fleet, inspected, every time

Every machine — sled, boat, UTV, Slingshot — is inspected after every rental. Fuel topped. Tires checked. Maintenance logged. If it is not perfect, you do not ride it.

03

Trail access is the product

Our Traverse City HQ is on a DNR-designated ORV route. Our Torch Lake site is on the water. Fife Lake is trail-in, trail-out. We buy locations for access, not foot traffic.

04

Pro staff, not cashiers

Our guides have hundreds of hours in the saddle. If you are new, they will walk you through. If you are experienced, they will show you the prettiest loop you have never ridden.

The team

The crew behind every ride.

From the front desk to the trailhead, it’s the same crew every visit. Most of our guides have ridden these trails and waters their whole lives — and they will happily point you to the loops the maps leave out.

Marcus — Operations lead
Northbound crew
Riley — Rider services
Northbound crew
Guide team — Winter tours
Northbound crew
Guide team — Summer marina
Northbound crew
The trail, the lake, the drive — all waiting.

Point your next adventure north.

Book online. Walk in. Or call us.

Book online. Walk in at any of our four locations. Or just call.
N. Michigan · Year-round