South Gamble Road - FS 3116

Trail Overview

Federal Forest Service Road (FS) 3116, also known as S Gamble Road &/or Spring Road, is a federally owned/ locally maintained, Level-2/ Level-3 forest road with a surface composition of dirt, sand, gravel, 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 East Lake Road to FS 3129, FS 3116H, F, B, M, D Spurs, FS 3739, FS 3114, FS 3149, FS 3113, FS 3811 to M-63; Mackinac Trail. Description created on September 17, 2025.

Photos of South Gamble Road - FS 3116

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Difficulty

Gravel, dirt and sand road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. This road is typically two vehicles wide.

History

St. Ignace, Michigan's second-oldest city, was founded in 1671 by Father Jacques Marquette as a Jesuit mission and became a major fur-trading center and French military outpost (Fort de Buade). Historically a hub for Native American culture, it later thrived in the late 19th century through logging, commercial fishing, and its role as a crucial railroad ferry terminal connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Key historical highlights of St. Ignace include: Native American Heritage: The region has long been inhabited by the Anishinaabeg (Ojibway, Odawa, and Potawatomi) tribes, who considered the area central to their culture and history. French Exploration & Mission: Founded in 1671, the mission on Moran Bay was named after St. Ignatius Loyola. It served as a vital French outpost for the fur trade, with figures like Marquette, Joliet, and Cadillac passing through. Military Significance: In 1683, Fort de Buade was built to protect French interests, making it one of the largest settlements in New France at the time. 19th Century Expansion: The 1870s brought the logging industry, with the Mackinaw Lumber Company building a sawmill. In 1881, the railroad arrived, making St. Ignace a bustling transportation hub with ferries operating across the Straits of Mackinac. Modern Era: The town evolved from a shipping and rail hub into a tourist destination, highlighted by the construction of the Mackinac Bridge and events like the annual car show. This route: FSR 3116 - S Gamble Road/ Spring Road once led to the Hay Lake CCC Camp. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a federal work-relief program launched in 1933, one of several programs known collectively as the New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's farsighted response to the national shame and despair of the Great Depression. Hay Lake Camp was the longest lasting and best developed CCC work camp.

Technical Rating

South Gamble Road - FS 3116 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike