Coast to Coast on MI 55, A Pure Michigan Byway

The Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau reached out to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) with a desire to create an M-55 Recreational Scenic Byway Route that crosses the state of Michigan from Manistee County to Iosco County, a designation that would highlight the diverse recreational opportunities and unique characteristics that could attract more visitors to a Michigan coast-to-coast trunkline. Supporting points of interest were highlighted along the M-55 corridor in Roscommon County and outward towards both Manistee and Tawas. This designation will help protect regional attributes, views, and pastoral land use. It will provide funding opportunities for new and existing improvements to infrastructure, protection of special assets and resources, and provide marketing opportunities to attract visitors and encourage economic growth to the area.

The National Scenic Byways program recognizes unique highways throughout the country for their historic, cultural, scenic, archeological, natural, and recreational characteristics. Once a trunkline has been recognized for its special characteristics, a governing committee and management plan are created to establish shared goals and objectives. These formalized procedures allow a Byway to qualify for Federal assistance for projects intended to increase safety, enhance access, and attract tourism.

The proposed scenic route runs along state trunkline M-55, beginning at the intersection with US-31 in Manistee County and ending at Lake Huron in Tawas City, Iosco County. The history of this road dates back to the late 1800's when logging the Manistee National Forest was the main economic activity in the Manistee/Wexford county area. The M-55 corridor passes along bayous, deep woods, rollways, rivers, meadows, farmland, stone houses, barns, farm stands, and glistening lakes, and provides travelers with access to roadside parks and diverse recreational opportunities. It is one of only three roads that crosses the state of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and covers six counties including Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco. Each of the townships and cities within these six counties must support by resolution the designation of this road as a Recreational Pure Scenic Byway and implement a management plan.

Manistee County

Highlights of Manistee County where M-55 commences, include Peter's Bayou, popular for bird watching, experiencing East Lake's scenic tunnel of trees leading to Penny Park Campground and boat launch at Manistee Lake. Heading east is the Manistee National Forest, which contains the Udell Rollways Day Use Area and professionally designed disc golf park. There is an extensive non-motorized trail system not too far from Manistee and the historic Big M Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail area. Marzinski Horse Trailhead and Campground provides access to riding trails and a campground with a hand water pump. There are numerous campgrounds, cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and other motorized and non-motorized trails, like the North Country Trail, which ribbons along the Manistee River. The Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail provide access to many water activities like canoeing and kayaking, and fishing. The Tippy Dam offers camping, day-use, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, and scenic views. There are opportunities for foraging and hiking along the North Country Trail and through this area's deep forests. Exploring further east visitors find the multiple amenities of the Pine River and the Cooley Bridge, along with nearby Low Bridge Park and River Access.

Completed in 1934, Cooley Bridge, named after Mortimer E. Cooley, is one of Michigan's unique truss bridges, highly attractive, and built up with lattice v-lacing. It is one of only two cantilevered deck truss bridges in Michigan, the other being the Cut River Bridge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is worth the time to park at the MDOT roadside park and walk down the stairs to enjoy the beauty of the bridge's design.

Tippy Dam is named after Charles W. Tippy, a chair for Consumers Power, and was originally called Junction Hydro when first completed in 1918. Tippy Dam is Consumers Energy’s second-largest hydro dam and produces approximately 20,000 kilowatts of electricity for nearly 6,500 customers. It was originally recognized for its innovation and design when built, but today, most people come to Tippy Dam for salmon or steelhead fishing in the water flowing from the dam.

Wexford County

As M-55 passes from Manistee into Wexford County it remains within the Huron-Manistee National Forest and follows part of the Pine River. A nearby intersection offers close access to the Peterson Bridge Campground and the Pine River for canoeing, kayaking and rafting, with several local liveries outfitting water recreation. Caberfae Peaks ski resort is a popular winter resort and economic driver for the area. A nearby lookout tower offers views surrounding the highest point in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. There are numerous all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile trails along Wexford County's M-55 corridor, along with many emerald-colored golf courses providing plenty of year-round recreational opportunities. Wexford County is also known for its non-motorized trail assets with both federal and state agencies (US Forest Service (USFS) and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)), including the USFS's MacKenzie Trail, and the MDNR's 92-mile-long Fred Meijer White Pine Trail and Cadillac Pathway. Highlights of Wexford County include inland lakes with expansive linear public spaces and community-minded waterfront parks. Mitchell State Park and, lakes Mitchell and Cadillac are sprinkled with campgrounds, day-use parks, fishing, boating, farmers markets, playgrounds, live music and public entertainment. Cadillac has a vibrant downtown with a strong sense of community pride and impressive wayfinding in progress.

Missaukee County

As M-55 enters Missaukee County towards Lake City, there is more noticeable rolling and abundant farmland, suggesting this area offers visitors a quieter and more peaceful stretch of the corridor with numerous farms, historic barns, and farmstands encouraging those passing by to stop and browse. Lake City has a vibrant downtown with attractive cafes and bakeries situated next to Lake Missaukee, a lovely lake with many parks, picnic areas, beaches, campgrounds, boat launch and a playground. Both a campground and park, Maple Grove Park in downtown Lake City offers camping opportunities and a large playground within walking distance to shops, dining and Lake Missaukee. Unique and diverse recreational opportunities include Merritt Speedway, Reedsburg Dam State Campground and downtown Lake City Pocket Park.

Roscommon County

At the border of Missaukee and Roscommon counties lies Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground along the Muskegon River and Reedsburg Dam. Roscommon County has an abundance of beautiful farmland and includes the town of Houghton Lake with its numerous recreational opportunities, that are not just water related. Lakeland Recreation is a large amusement park along M-55 that has a fun go-cart track, a waterpark (that includes bumper cars and squirt guns), batting cages, miniature golf course, and other attractions. Prudenville is just a short drive east from Houghton Lake offering various recreational opportunities which include an attractive fruit market, parks and beaches, a golf club, and a historic village playhouse. Some seasonal highlights of the Houghton Lake area include the Howling Pumpkin with a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and farmers market. Additionally, its famous annual winter Tip Up Town USA festival livens up the area the last two weekends in January.

Ogemaw County

Old M-55 near Ogemaw County's western boundary is a lush and rolling emerald ribbon that passes by two championship golf courses, The Dream and The Nightmare. This rolling corridor crests a hill where visitors can turn off into a roadside park for a picnic at Pointer Hill Roadside Park. The city of West Branch has charming historic buildings and shopping opportunities along with the attractive West Branch River Trail. The Rifle River area features many farmstands along M-55, historic quilt sample barns, and roadside attractions.

Iosco County

Moving east, Iosco County introduces you first to the Rifle River and its multiple access points for water activities. This is the southern boundary of the Huron National Forest. Tawas Bay along sparkling Lake Huron is known as Michigan's Sunrise Coast featuring the towns of Tawas City and East Tawas alongside the waterfront with their up-north feel and small-town charm. The Tawas Bay area offers an abundance of sandy beaches, marinas, walleye and lake trout fishing, and generous bike paths. Tawas Point State Park with its historic lighthouse, is a destination for bird watching, hiking, beachcombing, camping, and cycling. Tawas is also a destination for springtime bird migration, with more than 200 species during migration peaks, that attract visitors and serious bird watchers seeking out the many unique species of birds along the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail.

Tawas Point State Park is located at the end of a Lake Huron sand spit that forms Tawas Bay. At 183 acres, it is a popular bird watching destination due to its reputation as a stopover site for migrating birds in the spring and fall. The park is a popular day-use area for its beautiful beach and warm, shallow water. There are many picnic facilities, a nature trail, and access to non-motorized trails that are part of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail. The park also offers camping and overnight lodging facilities.

Tawas is home to many fun sculptures created by the late local artist Gordon Clute, who created many cement and wire form sculptures known as the Clute animals. They can be found around Tawas City. The Gordon Clute Memorial Park off First Avenue in Tawas City was dedicated in his honor in 2009.

The Au Gres River originates in eastern Ogemaw County and flows through Iosco County towards Lake Huron in the city of Au Gres.