Highbanks Trail Area

7-Mile Multi-Use Trail

The Highbanks Trail and Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center in Oscoda invite visitors to step into both the natural beauty and rich history of Michigan’s north woods. Stretching along the Au Sable River, the Highbanks Trail offers breathtaking views from towering bluffs, winding through forests and scenic overlooks that showcase the region’s rugged landscape. At the trail’s centerpiece, the Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center tells the story of Michigan’s 19th-century logging era, honoring the hardworking lumberjacks who shaped the area. With interpretive exhibits, outdoor sculptures, picnic spots, and access to miles of hiking, this destination combines outdoor adventure with a fascinating look at the past.

This year-round hiking trail (non-groomed winter backcountry skiing and snowshoeing) is set along a bluff of the AuSable River and provides stunning panoramic views of the AuSable and Crooke Dam Pond. The water trail between Pine Acres and Crooke Dam is also popular with paddlers and boaters.

Nearby Recreation Areas

• Iargo Springs
• Sawmill Point
• Lumberman’s Monument
• Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center

Activities

• Walking
• Hiking
• Snowshoeing
• XC Skiing
• Paddling
• Fishing Access
• Boat Launch
• Scenic Overlook