Mio
Deep woods, snowy ski loops, a stubbornly beautiful river, and breakfasts big enough to count as a survival strategy.
The Au Sable River is central to the area's history and recreational identity.
The Twelve-Table Challenge
Arrive early at Ellie's 12 Tables, enjoy breakfast, and spend the afternoon on Wolf Creek Trail. Return with an appetite that now seems completely reasonable.
The Almost-Secret Ski Trail
Ski Loud Creek's quieter forest loops, photograph the creek crossings, and finish with a meal at Paddle Inn.
Start with coffee at Daily Grind, ski the Loud Creek loops if groomed, then return for a late lunch at Paddle Inn. Explore the river access areas before dinner at The River House.
Saturday: Ski Loud Creek, visit Deer Camp Mio, and finish with a meal at Mio Saloon. Sunday: Breakfast at Ellie's, a snowshoe outing on Wolf Creek Trail, and a slow drive through the forest before heading home.
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Ellie's 12 Tables
Scratch-made breakfasts, smoked pork belly hash, and a genuinely small dining room. Arrive early; twelve tables are not an exaggeration.
- 02
Paddle Inn Restaurant
Homemade pies, daily specials, and traditional comfort cooking. A practical recovery station after skiing.
253 S Mount Tom Rd, Mio, MI 48647 · 989-826-6373 · Website ↗
- 03
Mio Pizza Shop
A local pizza institution for a casual meal when the snow has made everybody hungry.
Smoked pork belly hash
Crisp diced smoked pork belly with potatoes, onion, and peppers. Finish with fried eggs and fresh herbs.
Homemade fruit pie
Make a butter pastry and fill with Michigan apples or cherries, sugar, and lemon. Bake until bubbling and serve slightly warm.
Three things most people walk past.
- Snow settled into the wooden bridge railings
- The contrast between dark pine trunks and pale hardwoods
- The narrow creek valley viewed from the higher ski loops
- 01
Mio Saloon
A genuine local bar with substantial food and late evening hours.
- 02
The River House
Cocktails, beer, wine, and dinner in a quieter riverside setting.
- 01
Daily Grind
Coffee, espresso, breakfast sandwiches, and a warm place to begin the day.
- 02
Deer Camp Mio
Coffee and food alongside outdoor-oriented merchandise. Northern Michigan efficiency.
- 03
Ellie's 12 Tables
Breakfast and coffee; closed Wednesdays according to current listings.
- 01
Groomed cross-country skiing
Approximately 7.5 miles of ski loops with varying difficulty. Grooming is snow-dependent, generally before weekends.
Loud Creek Cross-Country Ski Trail, 4356 Cauchy Rd · Website ↗
- 02
Winter hiking and snowshoeing
Approximately 4.8 miles of connected loops beside the Au Sable. South River Road access is useful during winter.
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Sledding
Pure Michigan identifies a sledding hill a short walk from the trail parking area.
- Winter trail grooming depends on snowfall and volunteer or agency maintenance.
- The river valley is a year-round destination, not exclusively a summer paddling area.
- Forest-road access can be significantly different in winter.
- Mio is surrounded by extensive Huron National Forest lands.
- Loud Creek was developed through the work of a local Nordic ski club.
- Snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and cross-country skiing are important regional traditions.
- Independent family restaurants remain central to village life.
Local customLocal breakfast restaurants close early in the afternoon.
- 01
AuSable Valley Inn
An established motel with modern rooms and an indoor pool, close to the river and national forest.
- 02
Mio Motel
An older roadside motel in the village; current listings indicate 24-hour operation.
Bring a little Mio homeFirst Shovel coffeeBrewed before the driveway, finished after it.Have a look ↗