$10 / night

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Au Sable Loop Campground — Huron Manistee National Forests

2 Reviews

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

The water at our facility has been shutoff for the winter season. Please bring all the water youll need for your visit, including drinking water.

USE CAUTION - KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!The recent ice storm on March 29, 2025 and subsequent wind events have left many downed and damaged trees across the Mio Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests that have interrupted recreation opportunities on motorized and non-motorized trails.Crews are actively working to clear trees and debris from Forest Service roads and trails.Visitors should expect down trees and other debris on trails and roads Please slow down and use caution. Access to areas may be limited on the Forest. This may impact the ability of first responders, such as ambulance and fire first responders, to respond to an emergency. Hikers, equestrians and motorized trail users can locate affected trails on our website at or call the Mio Ranger District Office at (989) 826-3252.https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/huron-manistee/alerts

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Au Sable Loop Campground is located in the Huron-Manistee National Forests near Michigan. The terrain consists of forested areas with flat and rolling landscapes. Campers can experience temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer, and nearby attractions include the Au Sable River and Lumberman's Monument.

Description

Overview

As visitors exit McKinley Road to enter the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook, they will first see a panoramic vista of the National Scenic portion of the Au Sable River. From the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook follow the unpaved road to reach the campground. The small five site campground is set amidst a mixed hardwood forest.__The campground and day use areas are ideal for scenery viewing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.

Recreation

Water Activities: The Au Sable Loop Campground provides forest visitors with a variety of water activities. Access to the Au Sable River is afforded by a short path from the campground. Anglers can boat, wade, and fish from shore. Fish species found in the Au Sable River include bass, pike, brown trout, walleye, perch, sunfish, steelhead, and salmon. The water flows at a speed of 2 mph. The Au Sable River provides opportunities for non-motorized boating using watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts. Watercraft can be rented in Mio at Hinchmans Acres Resort or at Alcona Canoe Rental in Glennie. Hiking: Along the north side of the river is the 0.5 mile Mio Nature Trail with a trailhead located in the Mio Ranger Station parking lot. Along the south side of the river is the 4.5 mile Wolf Creek Trail . The trailhead for Wolf Creek is on the lefthand side 1 mile west of Mio down South River road. Both trails provide views of the Au Sable River and are appropriate for a variety of skill levels.

Facilities

The Au Sable Loop Campground provides a handpump well for drinking water, a vault toilet, and trash collection services. Campsites provide users with picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.

Natural Features

Located near the banks of the National Scenic Au Sable River, this campground is a haven for water based recreation. An exemplary setting for wildlife viewing, visitors and campers will see a melding of habitats as the river turns to forest and then to field. The area is inhabited by bald eagles, deer, bear, bobcat, porcupine, various songbirds, and waterfowl. Please respect wildlife and observe from a distance.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (989) 826-3252.

Charges & Cancellations

All reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.

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Location

Au Sable Loop Campground — Huron Manistee National Forests is located in Michigan

Directions

From Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Turn left and go north on M-72/M-33 for .5 miles. Turn right and go east on McKinley Rd. for 3 miles. Turn right and follow the signs to the site.

Coordinates

44.65111 N
84.09944 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Mack Lake ORV Campground — Huron Manistee National Forests

15 min away

Huron-Manistee National Forest

23 min away

Drive Time

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1 hr 13 min from Bay City
1 hr 23 min from Saginaw
1 hr 23 min from Midland
1 hr 26 min from Traverse City

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VerizonLTE
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alicianlv

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 4, 2025

Au Sable Loop #3

We were passing through and didn't have time to explore campground arriving around 7p & road tired.
Site # 3 was without metal fire ring as shown to have in reservation picture. In its place was a hole and pile of ash with a hardened ash plug as if it was dug out of ground and thrown near bushes, strange. We were only campers there but heard faint voices outdoors after turning in to sleep, kinda creepy.

Pictures taken just before leaving early morning. Heard there might be poison ivy around camp so only took basic photos but stayed clear of foliage around site.

Site#3

Month of VisitSeptember

(8) View All

Kortney P.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 25, 2025

Spacious Private Sites

We camped on the ausable river camping on alcona pond. The sites are very secluded from one another, no bathrooms, no water available, but its quiet, private, and had access right to the river. Lots of poison ivy in July, so be aware. Lots of campers across the river that you can see, but nothing overly noisy or distracting. Our site had room for 3 families with tents. Some walking paths, but we didn’t wander too far. Short drives to beautiful overlooks, or the dam for fishing. We wanted 006 site originally. its level with the river and right on a winding bend! Sites seem to reserve fast, so be ready!

Site007D

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available at Au Sable Loop Campground and Day Use Area?

Au Sable Loop Campground offers primitive camping amenities. The campground has designated camping sites with variable facilities - some sites may lack metal fire rings. The campground is notably rustic, with no bathrooms or running water available on-site. Campers should be prepared to bring all necessary water for their stay. The secluded nature of the sites provides privacy between campers, though the area is minimally developed. Plan to bring all supplies needed for your stay, as there are limited facilities available.

Where is Au Sable Loop Campground located along the AuSable River?

Au Sable Loop Campground is located along Alcona Pond, which is part of the AuSable River system in the Huron Manistee National Forests. The campground offers secluded sites with direct river access. The location provides a quiet, private camping experience with the natural beauty of the AuSable River shoreline. The area features scenic views with campsites visible across the river, creating a sense of community while maintaining privacy between individual sites.

Is there a map of camping spots along the AuSable River?

Maps of camping spots along the AuSable River, including Au Sable Loop Campground, are available through the Huron Manistee National Forests official website and visitor centers. For the most accurate and up-to-date camping information, contact the forest service office directly. When making reservations, site-specific maps are typically provided showing the location of each campsite. Be aware that some sites may not match exactly what is shown in reservation pictures, so having a complete map of the area is helpful for navigation and site selection.

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Au Sable Loop Campground — Huron Manistee National Forests

Description

Overview

Recreation

Facilities

Natural Features

Contact Info

Charges & Cancellations

Location

Directions

Coordinates

Connectivity

Is Au Sable Loop Campground — Huron Manistee National Forests sold out?

Detours Nearby

Drive Time

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

Contact

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Reviews

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Au Sable Loop #3

Spacious Private Sites

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What facilities are available at Au Sable Loop Campground and Day Use Area?

Where is Au Sable Loop Campground located along the AuSable River?

Is there a map of camping spots along the AuSable River?