USDA Forest Service · Michigan
Ausable River Camping
USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 102
- Hookups
- 2 with water, 46 no hookups
- Season
- January 1 to November 30
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 948 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- AUSABLE LOOP (NFSR 4366) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Huron-Manistee National Forests
- Nearest town
- OSCODA
- Address
- 5761 NORTH SKEEL AVENUE, OSCODA, MI, 48750
- Phone
- 989-362-8961
- Activities
- Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing
102 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
102 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 10° | -12° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 12° | -15° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 24° | 4° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 54° | 33° | 11° | 82° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 67° | 45° | 27° | 84° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 54° | 43° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 61° | 53° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 59° | 52° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 55° | 43° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 56° | 42° | 29° | 76° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 30° | 7° | 62° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 22° | 1° | 60° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Bull Gap ORV Hill Climb and Trailhead · 4.3 mi as the crow flies
Bull Gap Return Loop, >50" 0.6 mi Hike, Bull Gap Hca Access Trail 0.2 mi Hike, Bull Gap Hill Climb 0.2 mi Hike · Drive there
All 269 trails in Huron-Manistee National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Au Sable Loop Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 5 sites
- Mio Pond County Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 2 mi
- Mio Pond State Forest Campground · State Forest · 2 mi · 24 sites
- Mack Lake ORV Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 42 sites
- Wagner Lake (MI) · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 12 sites
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-27. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.