Huron National Forest Forest Road 4001 AuSable River Sand Two-Track

Forest Road 4001 cuts a sandy ribbon through the Huron National Forest’s jack pine plains, paralleling the legendary AuSable River for twelve miles of loose sand and washboard sections. This route connects multiple river access points including the historic Loud Dam site, where concrete ruins from the 1916 logging dam still jut from the riverbank. The trail demands momentum through deep sand pockets, especially the notorious three-mile stretch between Cooke Dam and McMasters Bridge where countless vehicles have been swallowed by sugar sand.

This is legitimate sand driving that’ll humble stock vehicles and reward those with aired-down tires and recovery gear. High-clearance 4WD with sand tires or chains recommended, especially after rain when the trail turns into a rutted nightmare. Best tackled May through October when the water table drops. Multiple dispersed camping spots along the river offer solitude and world-class trout fishing, but pack everything in and out – this country doesn’t suffer fools or litterers.