If you've never seen it in person, it's worth planning a trip around. Here's everything you need to know for 2026, plus how to plan ahead if you want to be here for it in 2027.
What Is the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon?
The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon is a 120-mile, non-stop canoe race from Grayling to Oscoda. Elite two-person teams paddle through the night, through six dams, and finish on the Au Sable as it meets Lake Huron. It has run every summer since 1947, one of the oldest continuously held canoe races in the country.
Teams start Saturday evening in Grayling and finish in Oscoda sometime between the early morning and mid-morning hours, depending on conditions. Locals call it simply "the Marathon," and the whole region builds a weekend around it.
2026 Race Details
The race starts Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Grayling. Based on typical finish times, teams begin arriving in Oscoda in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 26. Exact finish-line timing shifts year to year with water levels and weather, so check the official Au Sable River Canoe Marathon site closer to race day for the current schedule.
Best Places to Watch in Oscoda
You don't need a grandstand ticket to catch the finish. A few spots consistently give the best view:
The Oscoda finish line at the river mouth. This is where the race ends, right where the Au Sable meets Lake Huron. Crowds gather here overnight and through the early morning as teams come in. It's a short drive from the lakehouse and worth the early wake-up.
Rea Road Access. A quieter spot upriver where you can watch teams pass through in the middle of the night without the finish-line crowd.
Whirlpool Access. Another mid-river viewing point, good if you want to see the field spread out rather than the tight finish.
If you're staying at Oscoda Lakehouse, the finish line is close enough that you can watch from the dock area, grab a nap, and head down for the finish without losing your whole night.
Road Closures and Parking
Portions of River Road and areas near the finish line see heavy foot and car traffic race weekend. Parking fills up early near the finish, especially for the final few hours before the leaders come in. If you're local or staying nearby, walking or biking to the finish beats fighting for a parking spot.
Where to Stay for Marathon Weekend
Marathon weekend is one of the busiest of the year in Oscoda, and lodging books out months in advance. Oscoda Lakehouse is already fully booked for Marathon Weekend 2026.
If you want to be here for the 2027 race, the smart move is booking early, ideally by late winter or early spring. The house sits on Van Etten Lake a few minutes from the finish line, with a private dock, fire pit, and enough room for a group of eight to make a full weekend of it, race included.