Huron National Forest McKinley Trail Historic Logging Circuit
Deep sand through Michigan's cutover country
The McKinley Trail follows ghost roads carved by loggers who stripped this country bare in the 1880s. Starting near Mio, the 18-mile loop drops into the Au Sable River valley through deep sand that’ll test your momentum and tire pressure. Old railroad grades, rusted camp machinery, and cemetery markers tell the story of Michigan’s timber rush. The trail crosses Comins Creek multiple times and climbs through jack pine barrens that replaced the original white pine forests.
Difficult rating due to the sand—you’ll need aggressive tread, low air pressure, and momentum to punch through the soft stuff. High-clearance 4WD mandatory, with recovery gear recommended for solo runs. Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions, though the sand stays challenging year-round. Dispersed camping available, but water sources are unreliable. This trail shows you the bones of what Michigan’s north woods used to be, before the saws came through.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 980 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with aggressive tires |
| Nearest town | Mio, Michigan |
| Land manager | US Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
High-clearance 4WD is the minimum, but the real issue is tires — aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires are non-negotiable on the deep sand sections. A stock Wrangler with AT tires can do it, but a stock 4Runner on highway rubber will get buried. Airing down to 15–18 PSI is mandatory, not optional.
When does the trail open and is it accessible in early spring?
Best window is May through September. Spring thaw turns the sand soft and the two-tracks soupy, and snow can linger into April at elevation. Avoid early May unless you've confirmed conditions with the Huron-Manistee Ranger District directly.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to run this trail?
No permit required and no day-use fee for the trail itself — it's National Forest land managed by the US Forest Service. If you're camping overnight, dispersed camping is free but follow Leave No Trace and standard USFS fire rules.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The deep sand stretches are where rigs get into trouble — loose, unpredictable, and long enough to overheat a laboring drivetrain. It's not rock-crawling technical, but sustained sand driving at the wrong tire pressure with the wrong tires will leave you digging. Bring a shovel and a recovery strap minimum.
How far is the nearest gas station and is there any cell service on the trail?
Mio is your last reliable fuel stop before the trailhead — top off there, no exceptions. There is zero cell service on the trail, so download offline maps and let someone know your itinerary before you roll out.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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