River Road National Scenic Byway
The twenty-two mile River Road National Scenic Byway extends westward from Lake Huron into the Huron National Forest. It parallels the historic Riviere aux Sable (River of Sand). The Au Sable River was a major transportation route for floating Michigan’s giant white pine from forest to the sawmill towns on Lake Huron. You can learn more about this lumbering history at Lumbermen’s Monument Visitor Center that sits at the center of the byway.
Byway travelers will find abundant recreation opportunities, from motorized trails for off-road vehicles and snowmobiles to quiet trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Camping, fishing and boating facilities are accessible from the byway. For a more relaxed experience, visitors will enjoy the lush forest and breathtaking vistas from the many scenic overlooks along the route. Visit www.byways.org for more information.
For information on Lumberman's Monument, Monument Campground or the Visitor Center visit the Lumberman's Monument section of the website.
Brochure with map:
- River Road National Scenic Byway (pdf) - this brochure shows River Road, the Au Sable River and Lumberman's Monument
- Highbanks River Trail Map (coming soon)
- Eagle Run Trail Map (coming soon)
The brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. The trail maps are set to printon 8.5x11 paper.
Flickr Photo Albums:
At a Glance
Current Conditions: | Huron Shores Ranger Station |
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Permit Info: | Au Sable River Primitive Camping -
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Usage: | Light |
Restrictions: | As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. Applicable Orders -
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Closest Towns: | Oscoda, Tawas, Hale |
Operated By: | Huron Shores Ranger Station - 5761 N. Skeel Rd., Oscoda, MI 48750 |
Information Center: |
General Information
General Notes:Location - Au Sable River from Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
County - Iosco
Accessibility:
Canoer's Memorial -
- Accessible parking is available.
- The path to the observation area and monument is paved and over 36" wide.
Foote Pond Overlook -
- Accessible parking is available.
- The path to the observation area is paved and over 36' wide.
- The observation deck is paved.
Iargo Springs -
- Interpretive signage and restroom facilities at the top of the stairs are fully accessible.
- Accessible parking is available.
Kiwanis Monument -
- The parking area is gravel/dirt.
- The monument sits in a grassy lawn type area.
Rollways Campground and Day Use -
- Accessible parking is available.
- Restroom facilities are accessible.
Westgate Overlook -
- Accessible parking is available.
- The path to the observation area is paved and over 36' wide.
- The observation deck has wood deck planking.
- Interpretive signage and restroom facilities are fully accessible.
Directions:
Canoer's Memorial -
From Oscoda -
- Travel west on River Rd. for 18 miles.
- The site is located on the right.
Foote Pond Overlook -
From Oscoda -
- Travel west on River Rd. for 10 miles.
- Site is located on the right.
Iargo Springs -
From Tawas-
- Travel west on M-55 for 14.7 miles.
- Turn right and travel north on M-65 for 18 miles.
- Turn right and travel east on River Rd. for 1 mile.
- The site is located on the left.
From Oscoda -
- Travel west on River Road for 17 miles.
- The site is located on the right.
Kiwanis Monument -
From Tawas -
- Travel west on River Rd. for 15 miles.
- Turn left and travel south on Monument Rd. for .25 miles.
- The site is on the left.
Rollways Campground and Day Use -
From Tawas-
- Travel west on M-55 for 14.7 miles.
- Turn right and travel north on M-65 for 14 miles.
- Turn left and travel north on Rollways Rd. for 500 ft.
- The site is located on the right.
From Oscoda -
- Travel west on River Rd. for 19 miles.
- Turn left and travel south on M-65 for 4.5 miles.
- Turn right and travel west on Rollways Rd. for 500 ft.
- The site is on the right.
Westgate Overlook -
From Oscoda -
- Travel west on River Rd. for 19 miles.
- Turn left and travel west on M-65 for 4 miles.
- The site is on the right.
Activities
Sand Play
Recreation areas with activity Sand Play:Foote Pond Overlook provides visitors with views of the Au Sable River and Foote Pond, created by the Foote Pond Dam.
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:Rollways Campground was built in 1909 and was one of the first campgrounds established on the Huron National Forest. The pull-through campsites accommodate large motor homes and trailers.
Monument Campground, established in 1909, was one of the first campgrounds built on the Huron National Forest. Monument Campground is a fully accessible camping area within a red pine plantation. This campground is located on River Road National Scenic Byway and is adjacent to Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center. For more information visit the Monument Campground site page.
RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:Rollways Campground was built in 1909 and was one of the first campgrounds established on the Huron National Forest. The pull-through campsites accommodate large motor homes and trailers.
Monument Campground, established in 1909, was one of the first campgrounds built on the Huron National Forest. Monument Campground is a fully accessible camping area within a red pine plantation. This campground is located on River Road National Scenic Byway and is adjacent to Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center. For more information visit the Monument Campground site page.
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:Eagle Run Trail is a 6.8-mile trail that runs along the south shore of the Lower Au Sable River. The trail provides a loop trail system for hiking and cross-country skiing. Scenic views of the Au Sable River and a quiet, remote setting allow visitors to experience nature first hand. The trails are maintained with the support of volunteers.
Highbanks River Trail is a 7-mile, scenic back-country linear trail system with views of the Au Sable River Valley. From high bluffs of the south shore of the Au Sable River, many species of plant, animals and songbirds may be viewed in their natural setting. For more information visit the Highbanks Trail site page.
Forest Discovery Trail is a short, .6-mile, hard-packed trail that goes from the Visitor Center to an observation deck. A loop of the trail has interpretive signing. This trail is not paved, but may be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. For more information visit the Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center site page.
Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:There are many areas on the forest for scenic viewing.
The ultimate wildlife viewing experience is watching animals in their habitat. Here are some helpful tips to become a wildlife friendly viewer:
- Use the right tools - A field guide, a pair of binoculars and a camera. Wear clothing that is appropritate for the season and activitiy.
- Watch at dawn and dusk - This is the time when most wildlife species are active enough to view.
- Keep your distance - Maintain a distance that is comfortable for the wildlife.
- Stay quiet - Move slowly and quietly to increase your chances of viewing wildlife, and to avoid stressing the animals you wish to watch.
- Do not feed the wildlife - There is plenty of food availale in the wild. Human food can cause digestive problems, provide improper nutrition, and even kill an animal.
An online version of the Michigan Wildlife Viewing Guide is available on the MI-DNRE website.
Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:- Canoer's Memorial
- Foote Pond Overlook
- Iargo Springs
- Kiwanis Monument
- Rollways Campground and Day Use Area
- Westgate Scenic Overlook
Iargo Springs provides a panoramic view of the Au Sable River. Used as a drinking water source since pre-settlement times, dams were constructed on the springs by early loggers before the turn of the century. The dams were useful in diverting water to the logging camps nearby. Most of Cooke Pond was dry land then. Europeans have visited the springs for recreation since the 1920s. A trail to the springs was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Early photographs show the dam being repaired and reinforced by the CCC's. The dams lasted until 1981 when a storm took them out. The site was renovated in 1991. Steps were added and boardwalks along the springs, as well as the dams being rebuilt.
Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop. Two observation decks provide panoramic views of the Au Sable River. For more information visit the Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center site page.
Foote Pond Overlook provides visitors with views of the Au Sable River and Foote Pond, created by the Foote Pond Dam. Habitat for eagles is visible from this vantage point, and visitors may have an opportunity to view eagles or other wildlife. This is also a spectacular location to view fall colors.
Canoer's Memorial honors those that have paddled and those that continue to paddle these flowing waters. The site provides views of the Au Sable River. Access to Highbanks Trail during summer months is available at this site.
Westgate Overlook is a great location to view the river and see fall color. There is a short, half hour walk on a limestone path to the Rollways Day Use area. Westgate features a kiosk that provides information on the Au Sable River and River Road National Scenic Byway. Wildlife abounds and visitors will have many opportunities to see the varied bird life of the area, particularly trumpeter swans and eagles.
Kiwanis Monument commemorates the efforts of private citizens in the reforesting of Michigan's barren lands. Set admist the forest, visitors will catch a glimpse of the rewards of those efforts.
OHV Road Riding
Recreation areas with activity OHV Road Riding:Beautiful route year around. Includes River Road, Au Sable river sites and Lumberman's Monument.
Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop. Two observation decks provide panoramic views of the Au Sable River. For more information visit the Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center site page.
Rollways Campground was built in 1909 and was one of the first campgrounds established on the Huron National Forest. The pull-through campsites accommodate large motor homes and trailers. The day use area is adjacent to the Rollways Campground. There is a short, .5 hour walk between the day use site and Westgate Scenic Overlook.
Scenic Driving
Recreation areas with activity Scenic Driving:Pavement Type for Parking | Asphalt |
Vehicle Clearence | Low |
Size Restrictions | None |
Boating - Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:For information on motorized boating, visit the Au Sable River page.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:For information on non-motorized boating, visit the Au Sable River page.
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Recreation areas with activity XC Skiing/Snowshoeing:Eagle Run Trail is a 6.8-mile trail that runs along the south shore of the Lower Au Sable River. The trail provides a loop trail system for hiking and cross-country skiing. Scenic views of the Au Sable River and a quiet, remote setting allow visitors to experience nature first hand. The trails are maintained with the support of volunteers.
Highbanks River Trail is a 7-mile, scenic back-country linear trail system with views of the Au Sable River Valley. From high bluffs of the south shore of the Au Sable River, many species of plant, animals and songbirds may be viewed in their natural setting. For more information visit the Highbanks Trail site page.