River Road National Scenic Byway
River Road National Forest Scenic Byway | |
Route information | |
Maintained by MDOT and ICRC | |
Length | 23.458 mi[1] (37.752 km) |
Existed | September 22, 2005[2]–present |
Major junctions | |
West end | M-65 near Hale |
East end | US 23 in Oscoda |
Location | |
Country | United States |
State | Michigan |
Counties | Iosco |
Highway system | |
|
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.
Route description
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
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.
History
The section of the byway that follows M-65 was first added to the state highway system in the mid-1930s.
Major intersections
The entire byway is in Iosco County.
Location | mi[1] | km | Destinations | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plainfield Township | 0.000 | 0.000 | M-65 south – Hale Rollways Road | Western end of the National Scenic Byway at Rollways Road; M-65 continues southward | |
Oscoda Township | 4.317 | 6.948 | M-65 north – Glennie River Road east – Oscoda | M-65 departs the byway northward | |
Eastern end of the National Scenic Byway | |||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
See also
- Black River National Forest Scenic Byway, another National Forest Scenic Byway in the state
- Brockway Mountain Drive, a scenic roadway overlooking Lake Superior near Copper Harbor, Michigan
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a similar scenic drive in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway, another National Forest Scenic Byway in the state
References
- ^ a b Michigan Department of Transportation (2021). Next Generation PR Finder (Map). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Federal Highway Administration (n.d.). "River Road Scenic Byway: Official Designations". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ 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.
- OCLC 226315010.
- ^ Google (April 6, 2011). "Overview Map of the River Road Scenic Byway" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ 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.
- OCLC 137348716.
- OCLC 12701143.
External links
- River Road Scenic Byway at Pure Michigan Travel
- M-65 at Michigan Highways