Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground & Canoe Camp, near Grayling, Michigan, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape into nature. With spacious campsites surrounded by trees, you’ll find a good amount of privacy, making it easy to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

This campground is known for its access to the South Branch of the Au Sable River, which is perfect for fishing or just soaking up the scenery. Visitors have praised the well-maintained vault toilets and the clean facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay. One camper noted, “The vault toilets were well stocked with toilet paper,” which is always a plus when you’re out in the wild.

If you’re into hiking, there are trails nearby that connect to the river, offering a chance to explore the beautiful landscape. Some campers have enjoyed walking these trails, adding a bit of adventure to their stay. Just keep in mind that the road leading to the campground can be a bit rough, so take it slow when you’re driving in.

With a season running from April to October, Canoe Harbor is a great choice for a summer getaway. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, this campground provides a rustic experience that many have come to love.

Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground & Canoe Camp

Looking for the best campgrounds near Luzerne, MI? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Luzerne is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Luzerne, reviewed by campers like you.

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The Best Camping Near Luzerne, Michigan

This campground is rustic and mid way between Grayling and Lucerne. The campground is generally quiet and practically deserted during the week. 

Great spot to base a fishing trip with access to the South Branch of the AuSable.

Rustic

Primative campground.  Walk-up only.  Find you site and register at the gate.  Good sized sites with privacy.  Vault toilets and hand pump water throughout the campground.  There are a set of sites down by the river that you can paddle to or walk to from the Mason Tract.  There are a lot of fly-fisherman at this campground.  Buy firewood from a stand on M-72 near the road to the campground.  The dirt road from the hwy to the campground is really-really rough.. drive slow.

Primative campground near the Mason Track and South Branch of the Au Sable 

This is a great place to use as a fish camp. It on the south branch of the Au Sable River. Many things to do.

Great Fishing Camp

This has been out camp for fishing on the South Branch for 20 years now.  The campground has far more sites than are ever used, so finding a site is almost always easy.  The access to the river is fantastic, with multiple trails and access points easily accessible with a short walk. 

The facilities are well maintained and spaced out well throughout the camp.  

A recent clear cut has made the North side of camp a little less desirable than it was in the past, I wish the state would have left a bit of a buffer to keep the woods near the campsites. 

Our Goto Fish Camp

We spent three nights at Canoe Harbor in mid-September 2020 and thought it was wonderful.  Campsites were spacious and had nice stands of trees in between to provide privacy. Fire rings had a great design. Vault toilets were kept clean and stocked. Paths from campsites connect to the Au Sable and to hiking trails. We loved this campground. 

Spacious campsites, well-maintained campground.

Most campgrounds we have been to had lots of road noise but not this one! We stayed for 2 nights/3days and this campground was quite. 

The vault toilets were well stocked with toilet paper, although one had a hornets nest inside and the other was extremely smelly.

Access to the river was good and the sites were a decent size with privacy in between.

We enjoyed walking some of the nearby trails

Photos of Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground & Canoe Camp

Real photos from real campers