River Road Horse Trail Camp
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 3, 2026. Open by reservation only; contact Huron Shores Ranger Station at (989) 739-0728.
Flood Watch issued April 12 at 1:14PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Periods of rain will continue through tonight. Some of this rain may be heavy at times, especially during any thunderstorms. Shower and thunderstorm activity should taper into Monday. More showers and storms return later Monday night, lasting through Tuesday night, with heavy rainfall once again possible. possible. * WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...A portion of Northern Lower Michigan, including the following counties, Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Benzie, Charlevoix, Crawford, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Roscommon and Wexford. * WHEN...Through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations such as ice-covered inland lakes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
River Road Horse Trail Camp is a primitive equestrian camping area located along the historic Shore-to-Shore Trail in the Huron National Forest. The campground is positioned adjacent to River Road National Scenic Byway, providing convenient access for horse trailers and large RVs. The site features picnic tables scattered throughout the camping area and can accommodate up to 65 vehicles. Designed primarily for horseback riders, the campground serves as a trailhead and overnight stop along the Shore-to-Shore Trail, which spans from Empire near Lake Michigan to Lake Huron at Oscoda. The trail follows the historic Au Sable River through scenic northern Michigan forests. Hand-pump water is available on-site, though the official information indicates potable water is not available, so campers should plan accordingly. The campground operates seasonally from May 3 through November 30 and requires advance reservations through the Huron Shores Ranger Station. No fees are charged for individuals or small groups of 74 people or less. During winter months, the area remains accessible for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though the trail is not groomed. The site offers a quiet, primitive camping experience in the national forest with basic amenities suitable for self-sufficient campers and their horses.
Directions
From Oscoda, travel west on River Road for 11 miles. Turn left and travel south on FR 4411 for less than 0.5 miles. The site is on the left.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Monument Campground 4.0mi
- Au Sable River Backcountry Campsites 4.1mi
- Pine River Recreation Area Campground 8.8mi
- Round Lake 9.3mi
- Tawas Point State Park Campground 14mi
- Rollways Recreation Area Campground 12mi
- Rollways Campground 12mi
- Jewell Lake Recreation Area Campground 16mi
- South Branch Trail Camp Group Site 13mi
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (989) 739-0728 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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