River Road National Scenic Byway

The River Road National Scenic Byway (also called the River Road National Forest Scenic Byway) is a National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway in the US state of Michigan. This 23+1⁄2-mile-long (37.8 km) byway follows M-65 and River Road; it extends eastward into the Huron National Forest and ends in the historic community of Oscoda near Lake Huron. The road parallels the historic Au Sable River (French: Rivière aux Sable, "River of Sand") which has historically been a major transportation route for floating Michigan's giant white pine from the forest to the saw mill towns on Lake Huron. Along its course, the roadway offers access to several recreational areas as well as the local scenery. The section of the River Road that follows M-65 was added to the State Trunkline Highway System in the 1930s. The River Road was given National Forest Scenic Byway status in 1988, and National Scenic Byway status in 2005.

River Road National Scenic Byway marker River Road National Scenic Byway marker

River Road National Scenic Byway

River Road National Forest Scenic Byway
River Road NSB highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MDOT and ICRC
Length23.458 mi[1] (37.752 km)
ExistedSeptember 22, 2005 (2005-09-22)[2]–present
Major junctions
West end M-65 near Hale
East end US 23 in Oscoda
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountiesIosco
Highway system
  • Iosco County Roads

Route description
Entrance sign north of Hale

The scenic byway starts at the intersection of M-65 and Rollways Road and runs eastward along M-65 near Loud Dam Pond. The road runs through the Huron National Forest and along the Five Channels Dam Pond to a junction with River Road. There, the byway leaves M-65 to follow River Road eastward along the south bank of the Au Sable River. The road passes the Canoer's Memorial, the Kiwanis Monument and the Lumberman's Monument near Cooke Dam Pond. River Road runs away from the river, cutting across forest land near a bend in the Au Sable. Near the Old Orchard Park, the byway follows the southern shore of Foote Dam Pond. From here east, the roadway continues along the south bank of the river, across from Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, as it runs into Oscoda. The eastern terminus of the byway is at a junction with US 23 in town, a few blocks from Lake Huron.[3][4][5] The segment of the byway that follows M-65 is maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), while River Road is under the jurisdiction of the Iosco County Road Commission (ICRC).

Recreational opportunities

Byway travelers will find abundant, year-round recreation opportunities, with many trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing are popular activities along the byway. Visitors can enjoy the forest and vistas from the scenic overlooks along the route.[6] Other sites along the byway include the Lumberman's Monument and its visitors' center which are dedicated to telling the story of Michigan's lumber industry in the 19th century. The Iargo Springs Interpretive Site presents visitors with exhibitions on natural springs and boardwalks along the river.[7]

History

The section of the byway that follows M-65 was first added to the state highway system in the mid-1930s.[8] On December 20, 1988, the National Forest Service designated the River Road National Forest Scenic Byway in Iosco County. A second designation was added on September 22, 2005, when the Federal Highway Administration listed the roadway as the River Road National Scenic Byway.[2]

Major intersections

The entire byway is in Iosco County.

Locationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Plainfield Township0.0000.000
 M-65 south – Hale
Rollways Road		Western end of the National Scenic Byway at Rollways Road; M-65 continues southward
Oscoda Township4.3176.948
 M-65 north – Glennie
River Road east – Oscoda		M-65 departs the byway northward
Oscoda23.45837.752 US 23 / LHCT – Standish, AlpenaEastern end of the National Scenic Byway
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References
  1. Michigan Department of Transportation (2021). Next Generation PR Finder (Map). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  2. Federal Highway Administration (n.d.). "River Road Scenic Byway: Official Designations". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  3. Federal Highway Administration (n.d.). "River Road Scenic Byway: Driving Directions". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on March 17, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  4. Rand McNally (2008). "Michigan" (Map). The Road Atlas (2008 ed.). 1 in:20 mi. Chicago: Rand McNally. p. 51. §§ K10–K11. ISBN 0-528-93981-5. OCLC 226315010.
  5. Google (April 6, 2011). "Overview Map of the River Road Scenic Byway" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  6. Federal Highway Administration (n.d.). "River Road Scenic Byway". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  7. Swoyer, Megan (October 1, 2004). "Northeast Michigan Overflows with History at Iargo Springs". The Detroit News. p. 9E. ISSN 1055-2715. OCLC 137348716.
  8. Michigan State Highway Department & Rand McNally (June 1, 1936). Official Michigan Highway Map (Map). [c. 1:850,000]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. §§ F12–I12. OCLC 12701143.
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