Au Gres Between River and Bay

Au Gres lies on the Au Gres River, about two miles upstream from where it empties into Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron. The water shapes more than the landscape here: there is a short paddling route, a riverfront promenade, and access points to the river. So if you’re considering Au Gres as a vacation destination, you can choose between active time on the water, a walk along the river, and further discoveries in town.

Experience the River on Foot and on the Water

The Au Gres River Excursion is a short, leisurely paddling route. It runs north from Point Lookout Harbor at the mouth of the Au Gres River to Au Gres City Park. The City Park also has a small boat launch, providing access to Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron via the Au Gres River. For planning your day, these are two concrete landmarks: the starting point at Point Lookout Harbor and the destination at City Park.

If you’d rather explore the water on foot, Au Gres has a 0.5-mile riverfront promenade along the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay. Two other public river access points are located at the ends of Main Street and Detroit Street. They are city-owned and accessible. A pedestrian bridge is also among the city’s facilities and leads to the downtown area.

The city’s bike trail project also offers its own route: the recently completed trail runs from Au Gres City Park along North Main Street and South Main Street to the Au Gres State Boat Access Site at the mouth of the Au Gres River. With cycling, paddling, and walking, there are different options to choose from, and you don’t have to combine these activities into a single outing.

Parks, Beaches, and Outdoor Recreation

Au Gres Riverside Park has a splash pad. Nearby, Point Au Gres Park provides access to more than 900 feet of sandy beach. For families looking to include water activities in their trip, these are two distinct places to visit: water play at Riverside Park and a sandy beach at Point Au Gres Park.

Another recreational option is the Old Airport Disc Golf Course on Industrial Parkway near Court Street. The 18-hole course was established in 1999 and is free for public use. Kristin’s Bark Park is located on the grounds of the city-owned Au Gres Riverfront Campground Facility. These offerings complement the river activities with independent options in town.

Local Insights and Seasonal Offerings

The Au Gres Farmer’s Market takes place at the Riverside Park Pavilion on Fridays and Saturdays from June through August. If your visit falls during this period, you can add the market to your seasonal itinerary. At Modern Craft Wine’s Au Gres tasting room, each guest can choose up to eight samples from the available wine selection; there is no limit on the number of bottles purchased to take away.

The Arenac County Historical Society presents local, social, and family history through exhibits featuring artifacts and documents. It is currently housed in the former Au Gres Methodist Church, built around 1883. The historic Au Gres Chapel in the Park in KinderPlatz Park can be rented for weddings. So, along with nature and activities, local history and a distinctive event venue offer separate points of interest.

If you’d like to discover another place, you can also find Alger.

For the broader travel overview: Arenac County.