Camping near Hale, Michigan provides varied terrain options for outdoor recreation in the northeast part of Michigan's lower peninsula. Located in Iosco County, Hale serves as a gateway to the AuSable River system and nearby Lake Huron shoreline, with most campgrounds maintaining seasonal operations from April through October due to Michigan's winter conditions.
What to do
River recreation opportunities: Alcona Park offers access to the AuSable River system where visitors can kayak and observe wildlife. According to one camper, "The river is beautiful and we have seen Eagles and Cranes several times on our trip" at Alcona Park.
Biking trails: Browns Landing RV Park provides convenient access to regional bike paths. A visitor notes, "There is a bike path that goes all the way into Tawas. About 9 miles. It goes thru the woods and is just lovely with jasmine and lilac bushes and views of Lake Huron" at Browns Landing RV Park.
Golfing options: For campers who enjoy golf, Thunder Bay Golf and RV Resort combines camping with course access. One reviewer mentions "There are several 'packages' including camping and golf (if that's what you enjoy) and at times you can take a horse drawn Elk tour or participate in a Murder Mystery weekend."
What campers like
Scenic water views: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites in the region. A visitor to Northern Bear Paw RV Park shared, "This place is gorgeous. Owners have done a great job with the property. Pine trees left intact. It sits on the Au Gres River trail to the river with seating, picnic table and fire pit."
Rural atmosphere: The countryside setting attracts many visitors seeking quiet surroundings. One camper described their experience: "Traveling in from Indiana, the country side relaxes your big city anxieties while calming the busy lifestyle in your rear view mirror."
Fishing opportunities: The lakes and rivers around Hale offer productive fishing. A visitor to Alcona Park reported excellent catches: "caught lots of fish from walleye to crappie, even a 6.3lb small mouth bass!! very nice campground that I will continue to camp at and recommend!!"
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be limited in this rural area. A camper at Alcona Park warned, "Cell phone reception is nill here so do not plan to make or receive calls!"
Amenity variations: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. At Luzerne Express Campground & RV, one visitor noted, "The bathrooms and showers close at 10pm, and the restrooms themselves are nasty, the showers cost $2 (in quarters) for 6 minutes of lukewarm water."
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds maintain traditional booking methods. As one camper explained about Alcona Park, "They do not have online booking and do not take credit cards over the phone. You have to mail in payment within two weeks of booking over the phone."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds provide dedicated children's areas. A visitor to Alcona Park mentioned the campground has "playgrounds for kids, great for riding bikes, sites are clean and many have good space for larger campers."