163 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Hale, Michigan range from rustic tent sites and dispersed areas within the Huron-Manistee National Forest to modern campgrounds with full hookups, cabins, and shower facilities. The Rollways Campground, located directly in Hale, provides tent and RV sites along the AuSable River with access to hiking trails and scenic viewpoints. Nearby Monument Campground in Oscoda offers paved sites with vault toilets, while Alcona Park in South Branch features more developed amenities including cabins, electric hookups, and shower facilities. The region encompasses both rustic camping areas with minimal facilities and modern campgrounds with full hookups.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through September. The Rollways Campground specifically operates from May 20 to September 6, while Alcona Park has a longer season from April 15 to December 1. "This is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The sites are big, most are well shaded. There is a steep but walkable trail down to the ausable river, there is also some nice walking trails to various view points," noted one visitor about Rollways Campground. Road conditions generally remain passable for standard vehicles, though some forest service roads may require higher clearance during wet periods. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly in more remote camping areas within the national forest.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Hale area, with sites along the AuSable River receiving particularly positive reviews. Several campgrounds provide direct water access for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities. According to reviews from The Dyrt, the Rollways Campground location across from a canoe rental business allows campers to "walk back to your site after a day on the river." Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings as highlights of their stays. The proximity to both river recreation and Lake Huron beaches (approximately 30 minutes east) provides diverse water-based activities. Forest camping areas offer more seclusion, while the established campgrounds typically provide amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets at minimum.
"This here is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The facilities are clean and kept up. All access to trails, lakes and the river are close and easy to get to."
"Rifle River Recreation Area is located directly east of Houghton Lake within the AuSable State Forest, near the city of Lupton. The RRRA offers several camping areas within its borders."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"There's some walking trails here, the lighthouse is a close walk/bike from anywhere in the park. Getting to town is a few minute drive, or a very long bike ride on the road."
"Nice walking paths and the walk to the lighthouse and beach was a nice clean trail. Not to many water views from the campground, but could be seen with a short walk."
from $45 - $120 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The sites are big, most are well shaded."
"We brought our own kayaks and spent the day at on loud lake which was about a 15 min drive away. There were plenty of vault toilets which were very clean and water stations."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"River Trail."
"We walked this trail for 5 days and 4 nights. Cell service was spotty, which was the goal. Lots of wildlife and great views. You need to carry everything out that you carry in."
from $10 - $14 / night
Check Availability"I had cabin #3, very beautiful on the lake. Wish they had a grate to cook some things, however I failed to bring my own. It made do with what I had."
"This is a great campground and very close to canoe rentals. They pick up trash right at your site! Also, buy the wood from the people driving around."
from $16 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Hike to the nearby monument and attend one of their educational programs, visit the museum, take the steps down to the floating shanty, or visit the small store."
"This is a nice campground that butts up with the Lumberman’s Memorial park with a trail leading to the AuSable sand dune. Campsites are paved with fire pits and picnic tables."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"With a soothing creek whispering in the background of our campsite, we set our camper up for a two week adventure in this northwestern part of Michigan."
"It’s sits on the Au Gres River trail to the river with seating, picnic table and fire pit. The grounds are immaculate. Very peaceful setting."
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Large sites with easy access to water and vault toilets. $15 a night. Not many people and half the sites are first come first served (easy to get a site in the middle of the week)."
"Near a lot of recreation, including Lumbermans Monument, the paddlers memorial, and the lovely Ausable River. Minutes away from Oscoda and Lake Huron."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Right on Grousehaven lake with a small beach and playground and a large open grassy area for kids and dogs to to run."
"But the beach was nice as were the trails. Once in the camp itself, we loved how much better it was than Tawas. It's more spread out and I didn't feel like people were staring at me."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"I wish I would have picked a different spot as I was right next to the bathroom but it was fine. Plenty of fire wood around the collect with access to trials and the river."
from $20 / night
Check Availability
ScoutEvidently we are too loud for all the other guests at 8:00 at night so the park rangers had to come up and quiet us down three times and we barely have the radio even up where we could hear it in our campsite they take care of the whine bags there that's for sure
ScoutStandard camping affair. Many of the spots are sloped, so be careful when choosing your spot.
TravelerNice park, good people here. Great little store with all kinds of snacks DvDs ice cream Delicious Beverages the Beach is Wonderful. The restaurants are close and have good service and good food we will be back.
GuideThis was our overall third visit in the last 4 years to this campground. The last visit was 2 years ago and we had friends visit and do the 6hr tubing ride with us and that ultimately got them into camping and willing to spend the weekend with us at this campground.
We've always been in the "rustic" area more towards the "adult/party" side of the campground, but not to scare anyone there was NOT an over abundance of loud music, or shenanigans. Everyone was pretty calmed down by 11-12.
Some of the upgrades from years past included shelving, hooks, small benches in the public shower areas (don't have to pay for shower access) water was always warm and the showers were always clean.
The store contained anything you'd need if you forget something at home, including water shoes for tubing, firewood, ice, etc.
We did the 6hr tubing trip, left at 11am and got back to the campground around 4:30. Theres more than enough locations along the tubing trip to stop and eat off to the side. The river is very shallow at some points, id say ankle deep and deep at some points, maybe 8+ ft in spots, but most of the time it was knee deep.
The staff is great, they drive around periodically and pick up trash if you leave it in bags along the driving paths, theres a security team at all hours, etc.
Cell service isn't the best, however they do offer wifi ($20 for multiple devices/week). The wifi would go in/out at times though
Overall this is one of my favorite campsites and will return next year.
ScoutThis was our first camping trip as a family and our son choked made it a memorable one. He choked on a breadstick, threw it up and had piece stuck in his throat. The park ranger ( female, maybe 5'5 light brown hair, white. Because I cant remember her name) was amazing. She was calm, asked my son questions to help distract him and her overall kindness in her all was great. The rest of the team in there was amazing as well. Next day she stopped by to see how he was doing! I loved that. The camp ground itself it very nice, the bathrooms and showers were really clean. For sure worth the stay!
GuideStayed a few nights here. Great site right in the river. Rented tubes and floated the river down to our campsite. All of the amenities. Definitely a busy place on weekends but a little calmer through the week.
ScoutThis dispersed camping free no hookups no water there are porta potties out here can't say what condition they are in I didn't look I'm boondocking in an 26 ft RV it's very pretty area lots of camping spots big enough for an RV I would say at least 45 ft roads to get in here are dirt the road actually leading down to the camp is not to bad not very wide I have a 26 ft class C RV and just as you get to the camp there is a large Sandy area I wouldn't come down here after a downpour there's camping spots in the woods, there's also an open area where you can get lots of Sunshine if you got solar. It's about 9- 10 miles East of Mio, Michigan. On Google Maps they refer to as a horse camp.
ScoutMaintained to perfection, great camping, everything you could ask for. All facilities are available and clean. The owners of the site are always happy to help and are a pleasure. Fantastic sites with full hookups, river, pond, playground and forest
ScoutNice campground pretty quiet very well shaded lots. Some lots would be a bit difficult to get a camper in due to the amount of trees but nice for tent camping. Bathrooms are a bit dated is only downfall. Could use some maintance and upgrades
Dispersed camping options near Hale, Michigan extend throughout the Huron-Manistee National Forests, covering over 978,000 acres of public land. Most sites sit at elevations between 700 and 1,100 feet above sea level, with autumn temperatures typically ranging from 35°F to 60°F. The region contains both sandy soil camping areas along rivers and more densely forested sites within pine and hardwood stands.
Paddling opportunities: Rifle River Recreation Area offers multiple lakes for non-motorized water activities. "The water is super clean and crystal clear... Devoe Lake has a few islands that we explored," notes Dave V. The interconnected lakes system creates varied paddling experiences for different skill levels.
Hiking and biking trails: Access numerous maintained trails throughout the region. At Devoe Lake Rustic Campground, campers enjoy "excellent biking trails" with "amazing views and great riding for all ages," according to Dawn C. The area features both flat riverside paths and more challenging terrain with elevation changes.
Wildlife observation: Northern Michigan provides abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Near Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center, visitors can spot various species. "We have seen Eagles and Cranes several times on our trip," shares one camper about paddling the AuSable River. Morning and evening hours typically yield the best wildlife sightings.
River access: The AuSable River provides valued recreation near Hale. At Rifle River Recreation Area, "having a site directly on the river offered quick access to water, for cooking or playing. We could put in up river and take out at our campsite, which was convenient," writes Dave V. Many riverside sites have direct water access for fishing and swimming.
Private sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing and privacy. "Devoe campground was very private sites are open and surrounded by trees," reports Daniel C. Similarly, at Spruce Rustic Campground, campers find "large and level campsites that are well spaced," according to Jason N.
Swimming options: The region offers varied swimming locations across lakes and rivers. At Grousehaven Campground, "the lake is absolutely gorgeous and is paddle only, no motors of any kind. The water was warmish and crystal clear," notes Dennis B. Several beaches provide shallow areas suitable for children.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. At Spruce Rustic Campground, campers should plan ahead: "Sites require a reservation either at the office or Online. Not somewhere you can just pay for on spot because it's in the rifle river recreation area," advises Erin S.
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. While Grousehaven Campground campers report "some of the cleanest bathrooms and showers of any campground," rustic sites often have basic vault toilets. One camper noted that at Spruce Rustic, "the vault toilets do need some attention."
Cell service limitations: Limited connectivity affects most camping areas. At Alcona Park, "cell phone reception is nill here so do not plan to make or receive calls," reports a camper. Service tends to improve closer to towns like Oscoda and East Tawas.
Campfire regulations: Fire rules vary by location and season. Check current fire restrictions before arrival, especially during dry summer months. Most established sites provide fire rings, but some areas prohibit ground fires during drought conditions.
Beach selection: Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly water access. At Tawas Point State Park, "the public beach on Lake Huron has rougher water and more rocks" while the bay-side beach is calmer and sandier according to Marie H. Parks with gradual water entry work best for young children.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Alcona Park features a playground for kids," notes Becky K., while Tawas Point State Park has "a nice playground, and beach volleyball court near the entrance," according to Marie H.
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning experiences into your trip. Monument Campground provides easy access to "Lumberman's monument visitor center with a reproduction logging shanty or the educational programs in the pavilion," shares Becky K. Several sites offer ranger-led programs during summer months.
Timing considerations: For quieter family experiences, visit during weekdays. One camper at Rifle River Recreation Area noted: "We spent all week in solitude until the weekend, when it swells to its limit." Most educational programs run from late June through August.
Site selection: Research specific site limitations before booking. At Northern Bear Paw RV Park, "the campsites are nicely laid out with comfortable amenities," reports Colin L., while Monument Campground offers "quiet and spacious sites" with paved pads.
Hookup availability: Determine your electrical needs in advance. Most rustic sites lack hookups entirely, while Alcona Park offers "20 amp electricity on most sites," which may be insufficient for larger RVs with air conditioning needs.
Dump station access: Plan your waste management. Northern Bear Paw RV Park provides on-site sanitary dump facilities, as does Tawas Point State Park. Some rustic campgrounds require traveling to nearby towns for dump services.
Length restrictions: Verify your rig fits before arrival. One camper successfully navigated Spruce Rustic with a 20-foot trailer: "I got my 20' trailer back there no problem," notes Jason N. Larger rigs may face challenges on narrower campground roads, particularly in more rustic settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hale, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hale, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 163 campgrounds and RV parks near Hale, MI and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hale, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hale, MI is Devoe Lake Rustic Campround — Rifle River Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 12 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hale, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Hale, MI.
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