Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center


Area Status: Open
Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center

Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop.

Learn about the industry that helped develop northern Michigan and the men who cut the timber that helped build a nation. Climb through a log jam, use a peavey, cut a wooden cookie with a cross-cut saw, and learn about the life of a lumberjack through video and displays. Hike the stairway down to the wanigan, a loggers floating kitchen, or take the short trail to the dune observation deck. Enjoy a Kid’s Day program or take a guided nature hike.

Brochure with map:

  • River Road National Scenic Byway (pdf) - this brochure shows River Road, the Au Sable River and Lumberman's Monument
  • Highbanks River Trail Map (coming soon)
  • Eagle Run Trail Map (coming soon)

The brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation.  To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. The trail maps are set to printon 8.5x11 paper.

Flickr Photo Albums:

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Huron Shores Ranger Station Open for the season - check out our Facebook page for upcoming events. Be sure to prepare and plan in the event your favorite camping spot is occupied.
Operational Hours:

Visitor Center is open daily during open season, including weekends, from 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m.   Grounds are open year-round.

Area Amenities: Parking
Fees: No Fee
Permit Info: Au Sable River Primitive Camping -
  • No permit or reservation is required outside of the permitted season.
  • Camping Permit required at primitive campsites from May 15 to September 10.
Special Use Permit -
  • No special use permit is required for individuals or small groups (74 people or less).
  • Permits are required for commercial, event or large groups (75 people or more).
Visit the Passes and Permits section for more information on obtaining a special use permit.
Open Season: May 3 - October 24
Usage: Heavy
Restrictions: As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. Applicable Orders -
  • Au Sable River and Cooke Pond Semi-primitive Motorized Areas, shorelines of Alcona Pond and the Eable Run Trail System; R904-14-21
  • Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
  • Occupancy and Use; R904-14-03
Highlights - Camping is prohibited, except at designated campgrounds or campsites.
Closest Towns: Tawas, Oscoda, Hale, Glennie
Water: Drinking Water
Restroom: Flush
Operated By: Visitor Center - (989) 362-8961/Huron Shores Ranger Station - (989) 739-0728
Information Center:

General Information

General Notes:

Location - River Road National Scenic Byway, Au Sable River

Nearby Recreation Areas -

  • Highbanks Nature Trail
  • Monument Campground

County - Iosco

Seasonal and Other Information -

  • This site is not gated during the off season.
  • This site is not maintained in winter:
    • Access road and/or parking lot are not plowed.
    • Water and/or toilet facilities are not available.

Directions:

Lumbermans Monument

5401 Monument Road

Oscoda, MI 48750 

 

From Tawas -

  • From M-55 turn right onto Wilber Rd. go 1.25 miles north to Monument Rd.
  • Continue on Monument Rd. for 11 miles to River Rd.

From Oscoda -

  • Travel 15 miles west along River Rd.

Accessibility:

Visitor Center and Grounds

  • Paved parking
  • Paved sidewalks
  • Accessible restrooms
  • Outdoor displays - along sidewalks
  • Stairs to river and one display

Forest Discovery Trail

  • Hard-packed, over 36 inches wide

Monument Campground

  • Paved drive
  • Paved parking pads
  • Accessible restrooms

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

Monument Campground, established in 1909, was one of the first campgrounds built on the Huron National Forest. Monument Campground is a fully accessible camping area within a red pine plantation. This campground is located on River Road National Scenic Byway and is adjacent to Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center.

Group Camping

Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:

Viewing Scenery

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

 There are several observation areas at the Visitor Center that provide views of the Au Sable River.

Amenity -

  • Observation Area
Special Feature Au Sable River

Visitor Programs

Recreation areas with activity Visitor Programs:

Each year the Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center hosts programs during the summer months for visitors.  To view a list of available programs go here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/hmnf/news-events. 

Interpretive Areas

Recreation areas with activity Interpretive Areas:

Try one of the many activities available, including climbing a log jam or hiking the stairs down to the wanigan; a loggers floating kitchen. Visitors can also walk the Forest Discovery Trail to an observation deck.

Amenities -

  • Interpretive Kiosk
  • Native Plant Garden
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Day Hiking
  • Observation Area
  • Interpretive Exhibits

Visitor Centers

Recreation areas with activity Visitor Centers:

The visitor center is multiple displays spread across the grounds.  One building houses several displays and a second building houses a gift store and information center.

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

In addition to a picnic pavilion there are several picnic tables scattered around the grounds. Or throw down a blanket on the lawn.

Amenities -

 

  • Picnic Shelter
  • Observation Area
  • Drinking Water
  • Drinking Fountains
  • Barrier Free
No. of Sites 10
Reservation Info No reservation needed.  All sites are first come, first served.
Sleeping Shelter No

Group Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:

 In addition to a picnic pavilion there are several picnic tables scattered around the grounds.  Or throw down a blanket on the lawn.

Amenities -

  • Drinking Fountains
  • Barrier Free
  • Picnic Shelters
  • Drinking Water
No. of Sites 10
Reservation Info No reservation needed.  All sites are first come, first served.
Group Shelter No
Group Cooking Facilities No
Hookups - Electric No

Amenities

Parking: 82 vehicle capacity

Related Information

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
44.435426

  Longitude : 
-83.623686