Earth Day in Oscoda's National Forest

Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Au Sable River this April to celebrate Earth Day on the 22^nd and Arbor Day on the 28th. Stretching through part of the gigantic Huron-Manistee National Forest, the Au Sable River was signed into law as a National Scenic River in the 1980s by Ronald Reagan. Driving along River Road will give you the opportunity to see more of the stunning landscape, but the up-close-and-personal experience of hiking under the endless canopy of trees, breathing fresh air, seeing the sights, and listening to those Michigan birds is just something you should not miss out on. 

The River Road Scenic Byway is a 22-mile route surrounded by the natural beauty of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Have your breath taken away by the splendor of its panoramic views and plan a birdwatching trip, all from your own vehicle on this self-guided drive option. Keep your eyes open for wildflowers and some of Michigan’s rare wildlife species or pack a picnic for one of your stops at the many vistas and get some fresh air; Earth Day is the perfect day for it. From US-23 in downtown Oscoda, travel west to enter the National Forest and the River Road Byway.

Make sure to stop at Iargo Springs, one of Oscoda-Au Sable’s top attractions and a trailhead for the Highbanks Hiking Trail. Highbanks is a 4-7 mile easy trail, and you can find Iargo Springs, its entrypoint, right here in Oscoda! Iargo Springs is a naturally-occurring spring created by underground water and was believed to be a holy site by Native Americans. You’ll find wildflowers here, a 300-step staircase to a view of the spring, and picturesque views of the Au Sable River from its observation decks. To learn more about this sacred site, visit the Forest Service website. 

On your travels, keep your eye out for some of America’s endangered bird species, particularly the bald eagle. You can find more information about the Byway and even download a pdf brochure and map.