AuSable Shoreline Park

The site has everything a water lover and adventurer could want. The park has a beautiful sandy beach, harbor, boat launch, and marine facilities. There are universally accessible features, including a birding platform, boardwalks, and picnic facilities just south of the AuSable River Bridge. Shoreline Park is home to the newly built Trailhead Marketplace and the Iosco Exploration Trail. The Trailhead Marketplace is home to the Northeast Michigan Regional Farm Market, May through October, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Wednesdays. It features restrooms, a place to fill up your water bottle, and a bike repair station. This is ideal since the Iosco Exploration Trail is adjacent to the area for jogging, walking, biking, and class 1 and 2 e-bikes. The Trailhead Marketplace is available to rent for family fun activities and events.

Birding Site: The southern end of the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail begins here. Located on the east side of US 23 just south of the AuSable River bridge, this mixed woodland and shoreline area offers diverse habitat and bird species. From the “hide”, observe birds feeding at stations. Climb the observation platform along the paved trail and boardwalk leading to the shoreline where Green Herons frequent the small pond below the observation deck. The federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plovers often nest along this Lake Huron shore. Walk the sugar sand beach north to the break wall. Spring and fall are opportune times to observe migrating waterfowl along the river mouth.

Access Type: Via Paved Road

Launch Type: Carry-in Launching (Kayak)

Beach Type: Sand

Beach Approach: Low Banks

Facilities/Services: Restrooms (Portable), Waste Receptacles

Day Use Facilities: Picnic Area, Playground/Activity Area

Notes: Path access to Lake Huron; Carry-in several hundred feet

Things to Do: Birding, Scenic Viewing, Water Feature Viewing

Open: Fall, Spring, Summer; Restrooms Available; Handicap Accessible

GPS: 44.40388, -83.32216

Website: http://ausablevalleyaudubon.org/‍ ‍