Campground

Ausable River Camping

Huron-Manistee National Forests · OSCODA · Michigan — managed by USDA Forest Service

Sites open now — checked live on Recreation.gov
Ausable River Camping campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · US Forest Service

Weekend availability at Ausable River Camping

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 19, 10:15 AM PT
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Open
    34/101 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Open
    40/101 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Open
    39/101 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    51/101 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Open
    76/101 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Ausable River Camping?

as of September 20

Sites are open right now — we found space out to Nov. That changes fast at a campground. We check Ausable River Camping around the clock, so the moment your dates fill up and a cancellation reopens them, you'll be first to know. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Open
Oct 17Open
Nov 7Open
Nov 28Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 28Open
Nov 25Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
102
Pull-through
4
Max rig length
40 ft
Boat InStandard No HookupWalk-In

About this campground

Overview AuSable River Dispersed Camping is a unique series of 102 individually designated single-family campsites on a 55-mile stretch of the lovely AuSable River. All campsites are within Alcona and Iosco Counties in Michigan. These rustic sites are divided into sections near Alcona Pond, the AuSable Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized Area, Loud Pond, Five Channels Pond, Cooke Pond, Foote Pond and Lower Ausable. Each are ideal for family camping, with opportunities for fly fishing, swimming, canoeing and bird watching.Recreation Both river and lake fishing are available for perch, bass and pike walleye. One recommended spot is the Whirlpool Angler access point. All sites are also near the River Road National Scenic Byway, which offers wonderful views of the river valley. The campground has boat-in camping, and canoe rentals are available in Glennie, Hale, Mio and Oscoda.Facilities All sites are primitive with no drinking water, toilets or trash removal. Campers are expected to bring plenty of water, portable toilets and garbage bags. Parking aprons are dirt or gravel.Natural Features Campsites sit on bluffs that range from five to 300 feet above the waterline of the lower AuSable River. Depending on the site, access to the river may be difficult due to steep or eroding slopes. The AuSable River meanders across 138 miles of Michigan and flows into the great lake, Lake Huron.

Getting there

Designated campsites are spread along 55 miles of river shoreline between the AuSable River Access at 4001 Bridge (7 miles northwest of Glennie, MI) to near the Whirlpool AuSable River Access (4 miles west of Oscoda, MI). For more information on specific campsites, click here.

Elevation
934 ft
Contact
989-362-8961

Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • HUNTING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • BOATING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Ausable River Camping

Popular Michigan campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Ausable River Camping around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Ausable River Camping opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.