Highlights: Featuring a wide, rippling river and quiet paved roads, this biyaking route feels like an idyllic stroll through a quintessential Michigan landscape. Our favorite sections are from Mio to the Davis Rest Stop and McKinley to the 4001 Bridge, but there are multiple options for a variety of trips. The current is fairly constant along this stretch of river, except for the 3-mile portion from Davis to McKinley. Weekday mornings, even in the summer, should be relatively peaceful, but avoid summer/holiday weekends.

Distance: Bike: About 9 miles. Paddle: About 12 miles. With all the put-ins and takeouts along this section of the Au Sable, it’s easy to come up with shorter or longer routes, just check out the maps and information below.

Difficulty: Both biking and kayaking are easy.

Location: Drop off your kayaks at the M-33 River Access in Mio. Retrace your tracks to M-33 and turn right. Cross over the bridge and soon take another right onto McKinley Road. Continue for about 8 miles and turn right with the signs to Davis Rest Stop, following Detweiler Drive and then USFS 4829 for a short distance. Leave your vehicle here.

(Car shuttle: Using the directions above, park one car at the takeout and then drive the second car to the put-in.)

Route finding: Biking: Retrace your tracks back to the boats. The roads typically see little traffic on weekdays but watch for vehicle during the short pedal on M-33. Kayaking: Nothing to note, just sit back and enjoy the paddle.

Websites and maps: Click here for the PDF map. A variety of links and other information about the Au Sable River are available here and check out this PDF of the river from Mio to 4001 Bridge Landing.