Things to Do in the Oscoda Area

Make the most of your trip to Oscoda! From lounging on the beach to touring local breweries, there's plenty to do. View a list of our recommended spots below:

Water Activities

With 200 feet of beach frontage on Lake Huron, you've got plenty of room to relax on the property. The water is surprisingly shallow for wading out a couple hundred feet.

The AuSable River runs right into Oscoda and there are several companies in town that offer river trips with pick up and drop off services. You can rent kayaks, tubes and canoes. Oscoda Canoe is what we would recommend.

You can also rent jet skis and pontoons from Sunnybunn's for a trip on Lake Huron and even cruise by the cottage on the lake.

About 20 minutes south on Tawas Bay, there are several companies that rent kayaks and paddle boards to take out during the summer season. Most of them are just pop-up 'shops' without a good way of contacting them directly, unfortunately.

Hiking

If you’re up for some hiking, Iargo (iargo) Springs on River Rd is a great spot to visit. It’s a series of natural springs the flow out of the cliff/hillside and into the AuSable River. There are some mini falls and a boardwalk system over the whole area. It’s a hike down and up though (300 step stairs)!

Lumberman’s Monument on River Rd also has some more casual hiking paths that overlook the AuSable River.

Further west near Hale is Loon Lake (access off of M-65) and has a newly developed walking path through the woods with public access to the lake itself as well. While I haven't visited personally, I'm told by past guests it's quite nice.

Other Outdoor Activities

One more thing on River Rd is the AuSable River Queen. It’s a 2 hour guided river tour in a converted paddle boat. Kids enjoy it and they had a bar upstairs but I don’t know if it’s serving this year. They operate seasonally and it’s a good idea to call ahead for reservations/availability.

At the public, Oscoda beach park there’s a pier for walking out onto the water, a mini splash-pad for young children, a small skate park and a decent amount of playground equipment. You can either walk the beach to get there or walk the side streets about a 1/4 mile or so.

If you're planning to hit the trails, there are multiple ORV trail heads along River Rd. There is extensive trail system that extends across the state. While I have never been able to find local locations that rent ATVs, we're in a good location for trail riding should you be trailering your own up.

Local Brews & Wine

If you’re up for some local wine and beer tasting, there are a few locations to visit, within an hour of Oscoda.

The Boathouse Beer Co and Boozery is located in Tawas with their own selection of beer in addition to a full bar and other local options. It’s also an excellent spot for lunch and drinks.

A bit north in Harrisville is a newer brewery that also serves food called the Brew Haus. I haven’t personally been here but I’m told it’s a good spot.

All the way north in Alpena are a couple more options. Austin Bro’s is a great spot with a decent selection of their own beers and a good mix of food.

Thunder Bay Winery in downtown Alpena also has some nice wine made from locally sourced grapes.

While out of the way in Rose City, Rose Valley Winery has a nice selection of wines, all made from fresh grapes and fruits. They don’t use any concentrate juices which is a nice bonus.

Grab a Bite

For food close by, G’s Pizzeria is a good spot for a well-rounded menu. Service can be hit or miss at times but they offer options for most anyone in your group including vegan/vegetarian.

The Hilltop Bar is also a comfortable, location that has more food options than typical bar food.

Wiltse’s Bar and Restaurant has a good selection for lunch and dinner. I find their menu to be a bit overpriced for dinner but it’s the only decent sit-down option in town.

Edelweiss Tavern is a nice local bar as well with more limited food options, but a nice spot all the same with a back patio.

Chee Peng is a local option for Chinese food and better for take-out. I’ve had hit-or-miss food from here but if you’re in the mood for close by Chinese, this is the spot.

You’ll find more food options in Tawas if you head down US-23 about 20 minutes.

The Bayside Restaurant and Lounge has some good BBQ options and a well-rounded menu inside the Tawas Bay Resort and Hotel. It overlooks the bay for some decent views while eating.

Hsing’s Garden is a great, sit-down Chinese restaurant (also offers take-out). It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but I’ve had some of the best Chinese of all the places I’ve visited in state and out of state.

Tawas Bay Pizza Company is a new restaurant in Tawas with a great selection of pizzas and other food options.

Mango’s is the closest Mexican restaurant. There’s nothing wrong with it but I’ve had better elsewhere.

There are also plenty of fast food options nearby: including, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Little Cesars, KFC, Taco Bell, Hungry Howie’s etc.

Grocery

Roger's is a local grocery store in Oscoda that is decently stocked with everything you'd need for eating in during your stay. I'd suggest packing any specialty ingredients though.

For a more complete selection of grocery items, the next best bet is going to be Walmart in Tawas.

If there’s anything else you’d like ideas for, let us know!