US 23 Heritage Route

In 2004, US 23, from Standish to Mackinaw City, was designated a Recreational Heritage Route as part of the Heritage Route Program managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation. A Management Plan was written which identifies priority projects in each of the 6 counties along the route including Alcona, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Iosco and Arenac.

Each county along the Heritage Route has assembled a team with representatives from various governmental entities along with private citizens to move their priority projects forward with the assistance of the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (under contract from MDOT to provide staff assistance to these counties.

Heritage Route Management Plan & Supporting County Documentation

Following is a summary of each county’s current working project in the Heritage Route Program:

Alcona County:

In concordance with the US 23 Heritage Route Management Plan, it is the intent of the Alcona Heritage Route Advisory Committee to encourage the construction/establishment of a multi-use trail to improve the safety and enhance the quality of non-motorized travel along the US-23 Heritage Route corridor within Alcona County.

The Alcona Heritage Route Advisory Committee envisions a multi-use trail system which would allow non-motorized travel along the US-23 Heritage Route corridor throughout Northeast Michigan without the dangers of roadside travel. Such as system would allow residents and visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of Northeast Michigan in a serene setting and would also serve to connect recreational and historical points of interest, while promoting healthy recreational activities. Alcona envisions a trail system within the County which would allow non-motorized travel from north to south county line eventually linking to future trail systems in other counties.

Huron Greenways (Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, & Alcona Counties)

The Committee hopes to expand on the existing Huron Greenways system which currently provides a designation for a route from Mackinaw City to Cheboygan utilizing paved roads, unpaved roads, and existing trail systems. The Huron Greenways Plan also identifies key recreational features, historical sites, communities, and traveler services. The Huron Greenways system begins west of Mackinaw City at the Headlands Preserve.  The route then leads to Cheboygan and next passes the Cheboygan State Park, Duncan Bay State Park and the Mackinaw State Forest. 

An interior route leads to the Black Mountain Recreation Area. The coastal route follows US-23 to the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse then goes to Hoeft State Park.  The next stop is Rogers City, which has an extensive pathway system and public parks. 

Further south, the Presque Isle community, includes Thompson’s Harbor State Park and the Old and New Presque Isle Lighthouses.  Continuing southward is the Besser Natural Area and the Rockport property.  The next major community is Alpena, with its many public parks and beaches.  

The route enters the Negwegon State Park then links to the Black River and the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse.  The designated route then travels to Harrisville and farther on to Greenbush.

NEW! The City of Harrisville recently designated a trail through the city which passes by historic structures. Signs designate the trail through the city which connects to Harrisville State Park.

US 23 south of Alcona County

To the south, the trail system could wind through Iosco County connecting many sites of recreational interest. The Huron National Forest provides an extensive network of trail systems. Travelers on the US 23 Heritage Route trail system would gain access to the National Forest in the Oscoda/AuSable area via the River Road Scenic By-Way. In addition, the trail system could provide a link to the Shore to Shore trail, a cross-state east-west trail system. The US 23 Heritage Route trail could also connect to the pedestrian/bicycle path located along US 23 in Tawas City/East Tawas and Tawas Point State Park and points south eventually connecting to Standish.

Alcona County Trail System

On a more localized level, the Alcona Advisory Committee envisions a non-motorized trail system that would travel from the north to south county line. While the Huron Greenways designation could be tied into the system, the Alcona Heritage Route Trail would provide an actual system of non-motorized trails by which to travel along the Huron Greenways route. This trail system would allow pedestrians and bicyclists to travel throughout the county and access historic and recreational features with minimal travel along roads carrying motorized traffic The trail system would not only serve to link areas of interest within the county, but would become a destination itself for residents and visitors who enjoy walking, running, and bicycling for recreation or exercise. The Alcona County Team plans to conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the best route for such a trail system.

Alpena County:

Arenac County:

Arenac County has been involved in the renovation of the Depot in downtown Standish. They have received a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation to renovate the Depot into a Welcome Center. The team in Arenac County has formed the Arenac County Heritage Route Authority under the Urban Cooperation Act of 1967, Act 7 of P.A. 1967. This authority allows funding to be collected to operate and maintain the depot from local governments in Arenac County on a per capita basis. 

Iosco County:

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