Trail Overview
Federal Forest Service Road (FS) 3223, also known as Airfield, is a federally owned/ locally maintained, Level-2/ Level-3 forest road with a surface composition of dirt, sand, gravel, grass, and native material. This route is currently open and in fair condition; it is not a DNR road (ORV use is subject to local government regulations) and connects FS 3020 -Airfield to Spur 55D, Spur 55F, and the Smither's Winter Test facility front gate/ entrance/ office. Description created on September 10, 2025.
Difficulty
This is a dirt, gravel, sand, and grass road that enters the Smithers Winter Test facility airstrip field. Typically unmaintained after rain or snow that may give rise to shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12 inches on the trail, including small ledges. This road is a typical "Two Tack" route that is one vehicle in width and accesses the eastern tarmac of the former Raco Army Airfield/ current Smithers Winter Test Facility.
History
Raco Army Airfield was a Michigan military installation from the early 1940s to the mid-1960s, serving as a refueling stop and defense point for the Soo Locks, a base for anti-aircraft guns, and later a BOMARC missile site to protect against Soviet threats. Originally a civilian landing area, the site became a government airfield after the Pearl Harbor attack and featured a unique triangular runway pattern. After its military closure in the mid-1960s, it became a winter automotive testing center, a role it maintains today as the Smithers Winter Test Center (SWTC) in Michigan began in 1973 on a former WWII airfield, Raco Field, that the United States government acquired to protect Sault Ste. Marie's locks. The site was purchased by Smithers in 1975 and has since been expanded with various test surfaces, including ice and snow circles, to become a world-class facility for automotive and tire testing in harsh winter conditions. Origins 1940s: The site that would become the SWTC was an airfield built during World War II. 1973: The SWTC began operations in Raco, Michigan, focusing on winter testing for the automotive and tire sectors. 1975: Smithers acquired the Raco field, expanding its testing capabilities and evolving into a world-class testing site. Growth and Evolution Specialized Surfaces: The facility now includes multiple original runways, handling courses, ice and snow circles, ice pads, ramps, and vehicle freezers to support advanced testing. Customized Services: The SWTC offers both standard and custom-designed testing courses to evaluate vehicles, tires, and components in various extreme cold and hazardous conditions. Industry Focus: The center serves the automotive and tire industries, providing data and testing services for new technologies and products, including a growing focus on electric vehicles.
