River Road National Scenic Byway

Area Status: Open

River Road National Scenic BywayThe 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 
Permit Info: Au Sable River Primitive Camping -
  • No permit or reservation is required outside of the permitted season.
  • Camping Permit required at primitive campsites from May 15 to September 10.
Special Use Permit -
  • No special use permit is required for individuals or small groups (74 people or less).
  • Permits are required for commercial, event or large groups (75 people or more).
Visit the Passes and Permits section for more information on obtaining a special use permit.
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 -
  • Au Sable River and Cooke Pond Semi-primitive Motorized Areas, shorelines of Alcona Pond and the Eable Run Trail System; R904-14-21
  • Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
  • Occupancy and Use; R904-14-03
Highlights - Camping is prohibited, except at designated campgrounds or campsites.
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.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

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:

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.

Related Information

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
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