Huron National Forest Au Sable River Fire Tower Circuit
Fire tower loop through legendary trout country
This 35-mile sandy loop connects Corsair, Lumberman’s Monument, and Reid Lake fire towers through the heart of Michigan’s legendary Au Sable River trout waters. Built on Depression-era CCC roads, the route crosses the holy water at McKinney Creek bridge (check those pylons), climbs through towering white pine plantations, and hits three operational fire towers offering panoramic views of the river valley. The Corsair tower climb rewards with 360-degree forest views stretching to Lake Huron on clear days.
Easy to moderate — mostly hard-packed sand with occasional loose sections requiring momentum. High-clearance 2WD handles dry conditions, but spring mud and fall rains demand 4WD. May through October best, though fall colors are spectacular. No permits needed for forest roads, but respect private property boundaries near river access points. Grayling for fuel and supplies. What you get: access to Michigan’s most storied trout stream corridor without dealing with the Au Sable River Road tourist parade.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Historic, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1180 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Grayling, Michigan |
| Land manager | U.S. Forest Service - Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock truck or SUV handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A high-clearance 2WD is the minimum — a stock F-150, 4Runner, or similar rig handles it fine. 4WD is useful if you hit soft sand sections after rain, but it's not required for this loop.
When does the trail become impassable, and is it open year-round?
Best window is May through October. Spring snowmelt and late fall rain can turn the sandy two-tracks into axle-sucking messes, and winter sees the area buried under snow. Don't push it outside that window without checking conditions first.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run this loop?
No permit required and no day-use fee for driving the circuit. If you're camping dispersed within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, you're covered under standard USFS rules — 14-night stay limit, stay 150 feet from water.
What's the toughest section of this trail and what should I actually expect?
This is an easy trail, so nothing will put your rig to the test. The roughest moments are loose sand stretches on the two-tracks that can bog down low-clearance or 2WD vehicles in wet conditions — not technical, just annoying if you're unprepared.
How far is the nearest gas station and is there any cell service out there?
Grayling is your last reliable fuel stop before heading out — top off there. Cell service is spotty throughout the loop, so download your maps offline before you leave and don't count on a signal when you need it.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.