Hike the Highbanks Trail from Iargo Springs to Lumberman's Monument

With so many incredible places to take a hike near Oscoda, the Highbanks River Trail through the Huron National Forest is surely a favorite of ours and our guests at the Huron House. It's truly a special place with sand dunes, forests, springs, monuments, amazing Au Sable River views – and it goes on for miles. If you're looking to surround yourself in nature and tranquility, check out the Highbanks Trail during your next Lake Huron getaway.

Appropriately named, the Highbanks Trail follows along the bluffs of the Au Sable River, providing the most dramatic vistas of the river valley below. The footpath winds around trees and ravines, sloping gently up and down. As you can imagine, this is a popular trail for birding, hiking and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Along the trail, hikers may even catch a glimpse of bald eagles nesting in the area.

The most scenic stretch of the trail is the 4-mile hike from Iargo Springs to Lumberman’s Monument. Iargo Springs were used as a drinking water source since pre-settlement days, and in the 1800s were dammed to provide water to riverside logging camps. Today they're a popular recreation spot. Get adventurous and descend the nearly 300 stairs down to where the spring water bubbles up to the stream. Or simply enjoy the view from the boardwalk and observation decks that wind around the springs.

Then trek east on the trail toward the Lumberman's Monument. Here you'll find a 14-foot bronze statue of three lumbermen that commemorates the area's rich logging history. There is a visitor center here as well, with outdoor exhibits, historic artifacts, picnic areas and a dune observation deck. The overlook provides breathtaking views of Cooke Dam Pond and Horseshoe Island on the Au Sable River. From the scenic overlook area, you can take 260 stairs all the way down to the river.

The Highbanks Trail is a point-to-point trail, so you'll enjoy getting a second look at all it has to offer as you backtrack your way to the Iargo Springs trailhead.