The River Road National Scenic Byway, a historic 22-mile route along Michigan's Au Sable River, received National Scenic Byway status from the Federal Highway Administration, recognizing its archaeological, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities.

The River Road National Scenic Byway stands as one of Michigan's most picturesque drives, winding alongside the historic Au Sable River. This stunning route earned its prestigious National Scenic Byway designation in 2005, marking a significant milestone in its long history as a cherished transportation corridor.

Stretching for 22 miles along the northern bank of the Au Sable River, this scenic byway follows the path of an ancient Native American trail that later became a logging route. Today, it offers travelers a remarkable journey through Michigan's natural heritage, connecting the communities of Oscoda and South Branch while showcasing the region's rich cultural and historical significance.

The River Road National Scenic Byway traces its origins to an ancient Native American trail along the Au Sable River. Early indigenous peoples used this route for travel between seasonal settlements.

Michigan's logging industry transformed the trail in the 1800s. Lumber companies established camps along the river to harvest the region's extensive pine forests. The Au Sable River served as a vital transportation corridor for floating logs to sawmills in Oscoda.

Historical Timeline	Event
Pre-1800s	Native American trail establishment
1800-1890	Peak logging operations period
1935	Initial road construction
2005	National Scenic Byway designation

The U.S. Forest Service developed the modern roadway in 1935. This construction created a permanent route through the Huron National Forest, connecting local communities while preserving access to recreational areas.

The Michigan Department of Transportation recognized the road's significance in 1995, designating it as a Pure Michigan Byway. A decade later, in 2005, the Federal Highway Administration awarded the route National Scenic Byway status for its intrinsic archaeological, historic, natural, recreational, scenic qualities.

• Protection of historic logging sites
• Conservation of Au Sable River ecosystems
• Maintenance of scenic overlooks
• Development of interpretive centers
• Restoration of native plant species

The Michigan Department of Transportation designated River Road as a State Scenic Byway in 1995, marking a significant milestone in the route's preservation. This state-level recognition laid the groundwork for its future national designation.

The Michigan Department of Transportation initiated the byway designation process in early 1995 through a comprehensive evaluation of River Road. Local communities, conservation groups, the U.S. Forest Service submitted documentation highlighting the road's cultural heritage, scenic qualities, recreational opportunities. The review committee assessed 5 key criteria:

• Archaeological significance of Native American sites
• Historic value of logging camps and transportation routes
• Natural features along the Au Sable River corridor
• Recreational access points for fishing, hiking, camping
• Scenic vistas overlooking the river valley

The Michigan Department of Transportation hosted the official designation ceremony on September 15, 1995, at the River Road Scenic Overlook. Key participants included:

Ceremony Participants	Role
MDOT Director	Principal speaker
Local government officials	Supporting presenters
U.S. Forest Service representatives	Program partners
Tribal leaders	Cultural representatives

The ceremony featured the unveiling of new scenic byway signs, interpretive displays highlighting the road's significance, traditional Native American blessing ceremonies.

River Road National Scenic Byway showcases Michigan's diverse ecological systems alongside significant cultural landmarks. The 22-mile corridor preserves both natural landscapes and historical sites that tell the story of the region's development.

The AuSable River corridor features steep sandy bluffs rising 200 feet above the water. Notable viewpoints include:

• Lumberman's Monument Overlook offering panoramic views of the river valley
• Rollways scenic area displaying 80-foot sand embankments
• Foote Pond Overlook presenting views of old-growth white pine stands
• Westgate Overlook showing river bends through dense forest canopy

The river ecosystem supports:

• 95 species of native fish including brook trout
• 150 bird species such as bald eagles osprey
• 35 rare plant species including the Dwarf Lake Iris

The byway contains preserved structures documenting Michigan's logging heritage:

• Lumberman's Monument (1932): A 14-foot bronze statue commemorating logging history

• Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (1933): Original barracks structures

• Au Sable River Queen Paddleboat: Historic river vessel from 1910

• Heritage Route Markers: 12 interpretive signs detailing Native American history

• 6 documented Native American settlements

• 15 former logging camps with preserved equipment

• 3 restored river dams from the logging era

• 2 historic fish hatcheries dating to 1895

Feature Type	Quantity	Time Period
Logging Camps	15	1860-1890
Native Sites	6	Pre-1800s
Historic Dams	3	1880-1920
CCC Structures	4	1933-1942

The River Road National Scenic Byway's designation in 2005 created significant economic benefits for neighboring communities through increased tourism revenue and business development. The recognition enhanced the region's visibility and attracted more visitors to explore its natural and cultural attractions.

The scenic byway designation sparked a 45% increase in annual visitor numbers between 2005-2010. Local businesses reported substantial growth:

Economic Indicator	Pre-2005	Post-2005 (by 2010)
Annual Visitors	150,000	217,500
Tourism Revenue	$3.2M	$5.8M
Local Businesses	45	72
Hotel Occupancy	62%	78%

Tourism infrastructure expanded with:

• 8 new bed-and-breakfast establishments
• 12 additional outdoor recreation outfitters
• 5 new restaurants specializing in local cuisine
• 3 visitor information centers along the byway

The designation attracted private investments in:

• Modernized lodging facilities
• Enhanced river access points
• Expanded parking areas at scenic overlooks
• New interpretive signage at historical sites

Local tour operators developed specialized programs:

• Guided nature walks

• Historical logging demonstrations

• Native American cultural tours

• Seasonal bird watching expeditions

• Photography workshops at scenic locations

• Hospitality services

• Recreation equipment rentals

• Tour guide operations

• Restaurant services

• Retail establishments

The River Road National Scenic Byway preservation initiatives focus on maintaining historical sites ecological balance cultural heritage since its 2005 designation. Local conservation groups partner with federal agencies to implement protective measures along the 22-mile corridor.

• Restored 12 miles of eroded riverbank using native plants
• Created 8 new wildlife observation areas
• Established 5 protected zones for endangered species
• Implemented water quality monitoring at 10 key locations
• Planted 25,000 native trees species along the byway

• Renovated 6 historic logging camp structures
• Restored 3 original Native American trail markers
• Preserved 4 vintage logging equipment displays
• Maintained 5 interpretive centers
• Upgraded 15 historical information panels

Project Type	Completed	Investment
Trail Maintenance	18 miles	$2.1M
Scenic Overlooks	6 sites	$850K
Parking Areas	12 locations	$1.2M
River Access Points	8 points	$975K
Signage Updates	45 signs	$425K

• Established quarterly volunteer cleanup events

• Created educational workshops for local schools

• Developed cultural heritage tours with tribal leaders

• Launched annual conservation awareness campaigns

• Formed partnerships with 15 local environmental groups

• Conducted annual wildlife population surveys

• Tracked visitor impact on sensitive areas

• Documented changes in plant species diversity

• Studied erosion patterns along river banks

• Measured water quality indicators monthly

• River Road National Scenic Byway received its prestigious national designation in 2005 from the Federal Highway Administration
• The 22-mile scenic route follows an ancient Native American trail along Michigan's Au Sable River, connecting Oscoda and South Branch
• Before becoming a National Scenic Byway, it was designated as a Pure Michigan Byway by MDOT in 1995
• The byway earned recognition for its archaeological, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities
• Following the 2005 designation, tourism increased by 45% between 2005-2010, generating significant economic benefits for local communities

The River Road National Scenic Byway represents a remarkable transformation from an ancient Native American trail to a nationally recognized scenic route. Its 2005 designation has brought substantial benefits including increased tourism revenue enhanced infrastructure and stronger environmental protection measures.

The byway's success story demonstrates how preserving natural and cultural heritage can create lasting economic opportunities for local communities. From its humble beginnings to its current status this 22-mile corridor stands as a testament to Michigan's commitment to protecting its historical landmarks while promoting sustainable tourism development.

This scenic route continues to serve as a model for other byways showcasing how thoughtful preservation and development can work together to benefit both visitors and local communities for generations to come.