4.33132 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
19 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
19 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Au Sable Area
South Branch Au Sable Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area, Oscoda County, MI, USA
Canoeists and trout anglers who self-supply will do well here. The river is wide enough to paddle and clear enough to fish, sites along the waterfront (site 112 gets mentioned) are spacious, and summer daytime temps stay in the 65-80°F range. Free camping with a permit in peak se
No potable water, no toilets of any kind, no cell signal, and no reservations mean a long drive could end with a taken site and nowhere to wash up. If any of those is a dealbreaker for your group, this isn't your trip.
Reference information about Au Sable Area sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Along the Au Sable River is the Au Sable Special Area, a 10,628 acre area characterized by flat to gently rolling hills with some steep banks along the Au Sable River. This area is located in Iosco and Alcona counties. The Au Sable Special Area stretches the southern end of Alcona Dam Pond (Bamfield Road) to just before Cook Pond on either side of the river.</p><p>The area is densely forested and inhabited by bald eagles, deer, bear, bobcat, porcupine and various songbirds. Campers and day-use visitors enjoy boating, tubing, rafting, canoeing and fishing on the Au Sable River. Other popular recreation activities include viewing the river and wildlife, hiking, swimming, picnicking, horseback riding, hunting, trapping and berry and mushroom gathering. The Forest Service requires camping permits from May 15 through September 30 at the 19 <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18570">designated primitive campsites</a> along the river in this area.</p><p>Two developed campgrounds are located in this area, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18750">South Branch Trail Camp </a>and <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18998">Rollways Campground</a>.</p>
Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.
Summer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs between 65 and 80°F and cool nights around 45 to 60°F. Water levels are usually good for paddling and shore access. Bring bug protection for early summer. Winter transforms the area into quiet snowscape, but most visitors stick to warmer months when trails are clear and the river is accessible. Weekend use picks up in summer but stays quieter than developed campgrounds.
Summer noted as most reliable: good paddling, warm days and popular season.
The campground is located in the South Branch Au Sable Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area within the Huron-Manistee National Forests. It spans 4,000 acres and is surrounded by natural beauty and abundant wildlife, including bald eagles, deer, and songbirds. While there are no fees to use the site, there are minimal amenities available.
Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.
Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.
Rate Au Sable Area
Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.
Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.
Be the first to review this campground
Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.
