River Road Scenic Byway
Places to Visit
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The Au Sable River Queen is a top attraction and the only paddle-wheel river boat operating in northern Michigan. Two-hour excursions offer a view of wildlife and beautiful scenery and you can relax as the captain narrates this area's colorful history.
Location: The Au Sable River Queen is docked at Footesite Park on River Road. It is six miles west of US-23 in Oscoda or 16 miles east of M-65 and Rollways Road.
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The Memorial was constructed by local individuals to honor those that have paddled the river including the early Native Americans that used the river to access inland forests, French explorers and fur traders, lumbermen, and today's recreationalists.
Location: Located on River Road, 17.5 miles west from US-23 in Oscoda or 5.5 east from M-65 and Rollways Road.
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Cooke Hydroelectric Dam was the first of six dams constructed on the Au Sable River. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It operates much as it did during its first year of operation in 1912.
Distance from byway: 3 mi / 4.8 km Travel time: 6 minutes Directions: From US-23 in Oscoda travel west on River Road 14 miles to Cooke Dam Road, travel north on Cooke Dam Road three miles to Cooke Dam.
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Eagle Run is seven miles of loop trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing located in a quiet setting following the shoreline of the Au Sable River.
Location: On River Road 2 miles west of US-23 in Oscoda at the Eastgate Welcome Center or 20 miles east of M-65 and Rollways Road.
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Five Channels Hydroelectric Dam (MI)
Five Channels Hydroelectric Dam is one of four hydroelectric dams owned by Consumers Energy and adjacent to River Road. The dam creates a large impoundment which has enhanced fishing, sailing, and boating along the Au Sable River.
Distance from byway: 1 mi / 1.6 km Travel time: 5 minutes Directions: From US-23 on Oscoda travel west on River Road 17.7 miles to M-65. Travel one mile north on M-65 to Five Channels Dam entrance on west side of M-65.
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One of four hydroelectric dams owned by Consumers Energy and adjacent to River Road, the Foote Dam Tailwater Recreation Site is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with Consumers Energy.
Distance from byway: 6 mi / 9.7 km Travel time: 12 minutes Directions: From US-23 in Oscoda, travel west on River Road 5.7 miles to Rea Road. Travel north on River Road 0.2 miles to the entrance of Foote Dam.
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At the top of a steep sand bluff (known locally as Champagne Hill for its champagne-glass shape), the Foote Pond Overlook offers travelers excellent opportunities to photograph Bald Eagles and panoramic river scenery.
Location: The overlook is found on River Road, nine miles west of US-23 or 13 miles east of M-65 and Rollways Road, on Foote Dam Pond.
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As the only public swimming beach along River Road, Footesite Park is a popular spot on hot summer days. The park is operated by Oscoda Township under a lease from Consumers Energy and has a hardened boat ramp for larger boats accessing Foote Pond.
Location: Footesite Park is located on the north side of River Road, 6 miles west of US-23 or 16 miles east of M-65 and Rollways Road, just east of Old Orchard Park Campground.
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Highbanks Trail is a seven mile back-country linear trail with views of the Au Sable River Valley. From the high bluffs of the south shore of the Au Sable River, visitors can view many species of plants, animals, and songbirds in their natural setting.
Location: Approximately 15 miles west of US-23 in Oscoda, MI.
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Huron Motorized Trail System (MI)
Located south of River Road away from the developed vistas along the Au Sable River, the Huron Trail System offers over 200 miles of trail winding through forested lands and grassy openings.
Location: Grass Lake Road Trailhead is located south of River Road, approximately two miles west of US-23 in Oscoda. River Road Trailhead is located on River Road, 13 miles west of US-23 in Oscoda or nine miles east of M-65 and Rollways Road.
