Sault Ste. Marie Forest Service Road 3338 St. Marys River Backcountry Access
Voyageur route with Great Lakes shipping views
Forest Service Road 3338 follows the ancient voyageur portage route along the St. Marys River, where French fur traders once hauled canoes around the Sault Rapids. This 24-mile backcountry access road provides spectacular views across the shipping channel to Ontario’s wilderness coast while navigating through mixed hardwood forest and rocky outcrops. The notorious Devils Elbow section at Mile 16 features loose rock switchbacks and a steep descent to Harmony Beach, where massive Great Lakes freighters pass within a few hundred yards of your campfire.
Stock high-clearance vehicles can handle most of the route, though the final 8 miles require 4WD for loose sand and rock gardens. Spring mud season turns sections into axle-deep quagmires, so wait until June. No permits required for the forest service portion, but camping requires Michigan Recreation Passport. Bring extra water — creek sources aren’t reliable. This route offers unbeatable Great Lakes wilderness camping with front-row seats to international shipping traffic and some of the UP’s most pristine backcountry.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 24 mi / 38.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 780 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan |
| Land manager | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lifted rig or will a stock high-clearance 4WD get through?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a base 4Runner or Tacoma handles this trail fine. Lockers aren't required, but low-range 4WD is — the mixed surface includes soft sand, mud, and rutted two-track that will punish anything less.
When does FSR 3338 typically open and close for the season?
June through October is the reliable window. Spring breakup leaves the forest roads soft and torn up well into May, and early snow can close things by November — sometimes October in a bad year. Check with Hiawatha National Forest before heading out in shoulder seasons.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to run this trail?
No permit required and no day-use fee for the trail itself. Dispersed camping on Hiawatha National Forest land is free but limited to 14 days in one spot — follow Leave No Trace and don't set up within 200 feet of water.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The toughest sections are the water crossings — expect soft, silty approaches that can grab a tire unexpectedly, especially after rain. Nothing here is a rock-crawling challenge, but the combination of mud, loose sand, and limited bailout options is what earns the moderate rating.
How far out do I need to carry fuel — is there anywhere to top off along the 24-mile route?
There are zero fuel stops on the trail itself. Top off in Sault Ste. Marie before you leave — it's the last real town with gas. With 24 miles of slow two-track and potential backtracking, budget for more fuel burn than you'd expect on pavement.
Trail track
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