Looking for a place to break out the ol’ sled this winter? Look no further than the River Road Scenic Byway in lower northeastern Michigan. Surrounded by the majestic Huron National Forest, this byway is home to some of the best snowmobiling in the country.
Beginning at the trailhead near Oscoda on the banks of Lake Huron, the Oscoda Trail gives adventure-seekers a nearly endless world to explore. The Trail spreads out from the town of Oscoda in the east to South Branch on the west, which lies just a few miles north of Long Lake. Riders can also venture as far south as the Sand Lake area, or north to the hills near the Au Sable River. A network of over 6,000 trails spans this 94-mile area, all of which are groomed and packed down by Iosco County to provide safe, hardened pathways.
To further enhance the snowmobiling experience, rest facilities are conveniently located at various points on the trail. Stock up on snacks, drinks and gas at Footesite Village, six and a half miles west of the Oscoda trailhead, where the trail branches to each side of the Au Sable River and joins up with the Alcona Trail System to the north. Enjoy the snowy panorama of field and forest surrounding Loud Dam Pond while defrosting your fingers and toes in the comfortable warming shed at Abbott Road on the SR-65 section of the River Road Scenic Byway.
To plan your snowmobiling excursion to northeastern Michigan, check out the trail maps and other winter recreation information on the Oscoda Convention and Visitors Bureau website at http://www.oscoda.com. Pick up snowmobiling information and trail maps at businesses, state parks, and visitor information centers throughout Iosco and Ogemaw Counties. Enjoy snowmobiling at its best as winter delivers an unforgettable experience on Michigan’s River Road Scenic Byway.
