How much does camping cost at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area?

Camping fees at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area before I book?

Yes! Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area has 20 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area?

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area is open Unspecified in provided sources.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area?

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area?

Fire policies at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area: Unspecified in provided sources.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area have?

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area has 74 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area?

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area?

Popular activities at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area include Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area

4.39

31 reviews

107 McKinley Road Mio, MI 48647

Top 25% in MIFall

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Michigan

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

74 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

74 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fee is $10 per night for single sites.

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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USFS

Provider

(989) 826-3252

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

107 McKinley Road Mio, MI 48647

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area

107 McKinley Road Mio, MI 48647

Nearby places

Grayling (30 miles, approximately 35 minutes by car), Mio (approximately 3 miles, 6 minutes by car).

Nearby supplies

Mio for groceries and essentials

Oscoda for canoe rentals (e.g., Au Sable River Kayaking Company LLC).

Weather at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area

Best Time to Camp at Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area

Fall delivers the best conditions: daytime temperatures between 45 and 65°F, peak hardwood color from late September through mid-October, and thinner crowds. River levels stabilize after summer, improving paddling and fishing for trout and smallmouth bass. Crisp mornings make for good photography and quieter campsites. Spring through November is the usable season, though spring mornings can still hit freezing. Summer stays moderate under the canopy, with gentle breezes keeping things comfortable for long days on the water.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 25% in MI

Fall called best: 45–65°F, peak hardwood color late Sept–mid-Oct, thinner crowds and stable river levels.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Unspecified in provided sources.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Year-round; Not maintained December 1 – April 30

About Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area

Au Sable Loop Campground sits within the Huron-Manistee National Forests along the Au Sable National Scenic River Corridor, about fifteen minutes from Mio. The 74 primitive and tent sites run $10 per night and feature vault toilets and potable water. No showers, no hookups. Hardwood forest transitions to river corridor here, putting you close to paddling, fishing, and wildlife viewing without the crowds of more developed campgrounds.

The Au Sable Loop Campground caters primarily to rustic campers. Tent camping is prominent, and reviewers frequently mentioned the campground's primitive nature.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions: daytime temperatures between 45 and 65°F, peak hardwood color from late September through mid-October, and thinner crowds. River levels stabilize after summer, improving paddling and fishing for trout and smallmouth bass. Crisp mornings make for good photography and quieter campsites. Spring through November is the usable season, though spring mornings can still hit freezing. Summer stays moderate under the canopy, with gentle breezes keeping things comfortable for long days on the water.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a transition zone where ancient hardwood forest meets the Au Sable River ecosystem at 948 feet elevation. Mixed hardwoods filter sunlight onto the forest floor, and open meadows break up the canopy. Water has carved this landscape over thousands of years, creating the varied habitats that draw deer, woodpeckers, and river otters. Some sites are huge and shaded, while others offer more sun and open space. The river corridor runs close enough that you can hear it from certain loops.

Geological RegionSituated within the renowned Au Sable National Scenic River Corridor, the campground occupies a fascinating transition zone where ancient hardwood forests gradually give way to dynamic river ecosystems. This unique positioning offers campers a front-row seat to observe how water has sculpted the landscape over millennia, creating the diverse habitats that make this region a natural treasure.

Scenic ViewsPanoramic views of the Au Sable National Scenic River from the nearby overlook.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or additional accommodations were mentioned in authoritative sources or user reviews.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs were mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Unspecified in provided sources.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Unspecified in provided sources.

Groups

No group camping details were mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutPrivacy varies. Some sites feel secluded and spaced out. Others put you closer to neighbors, which occasionally causes friction according to reviews. Bring your own toilet paper. Vault toilets don't always stay stocked. Watch for ticks during tent setup.

Reservation PlatformsUnspecified in provided sources.

Walk-in AvailabilityUnspecified in provided sources.

Cancellation PolicyUnspecified in provided sources.

Site SizeUser reviews highlight varying site sizes, with Christy M noting her site was huge and relaxing.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary; a review by Victoria Rogers pointed out the secluded nature of the campground, whereas Wendy Argyle's review mentioned troubling interactions with neighboring campers.

Total Campsites74 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid site 4 during heavy rain; site 5 is highly rated for its size and quietness.

Best CampsitesSite 5 gets mentioned as large and quiet. Avoid site 4 during heavy rain. It floods. The water pump sits behind the trash containers, not always obvious when you first pull in.

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When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Au Sable Loop Campground is a rustic camping site set amidst a mixed hardwood forest. It offers an exemplary setting for wildlife viewing, as the river transitions into forest and then field. Potable water is available through a hand pump, and restrooms are provided in the form of vault toilets. However, amenities are limited; there are no showers or electricity hookups.

Potable water

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Au Sable Loop Campground offers a range of rustic outdoor activities. Non-motorized boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing are among the main attractions, in addition to hunting opportunities.

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTicks are a notable concern during setup. Heavy rains can flood site 4. Drug-related activities have been reported.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Fire PolicyUnspecified in provided sources.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Forest quiet hours apply, though unspecified.

Emergency ServicesMio Ranger Station and District (107 McKinley Rd Mio, MI 48647, Phone: (989) 826-3252).

Trash & RecyclingReviewers like William DePaepe noted trash containers on-site, providing clues about basic waste disposal facilities.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to the Au Sable River, suitable for fishing and non-motorized boating.

Camp HostUnspecified in provided sources.

Cell CoverageUser reviews did not discuss cell phone reception at the campground, leaving this information ambiguous.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

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.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

31 reviews

Recommended

Au Sable Loop Campground And Day Use Area is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground receives mixed reviews. Positive feedback highlights its peacefulness, beautiful setting, and opportunities for rustic camping, while negative aspects include the lack of showers and occasional problematic neighbors.

Review Summaries

Based on 31 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praised the campground for its serenity, scenic beauty, and large camping sites. Multiple reviewers, including Christy M and Victoria Rogers, described the area as peaceful and relaxing.

Based on 31 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints most commonly revolved around the lack of amenities, such as showers and toilet paper, and negative interactions with neighbors. Wendy Argyle described a disturbing experience involving...

Based on 31 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite #4 experiences flooding during heavy rain, as noted by William DePaepe. Wendy Argyle recommended avoiding neighbors who may engage in problematic activities.

Based on 31 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

William DePaepe advised avoiding campsite #4 during heavy rain due to flooding issues and noted the water pump is located behind the trash containers. Bryan Collins recommended bringing your own...

Based on 31 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground operates from May 1 to November 30, with no maintenance during the off-season. User reviews suggest ticks are an issue in summer, while rain can cause flooding in certain campsites.

Based on 31 reviews

Camper Quotes

"My first time here and it was perfect!! It was quiet, our site was huge and just very relaxing!!" - Christy M "Nice rustic camping. Well maintained grounds." - Bryan Collins "Avoid campsite 4 if...

Based on 31 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressed accessibility features or experiences for campers with disabilities.

Based on 31 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are permitted, as confirmed by authoritative sources, but specific user feedback about pet experiences was not provided.

Based on 31 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Paddlers and trout fishers who want a cheap base camp on the Au Sable National Scenic River. Fall is the clear sweet spot: 45-65°F days, peak hardwood color, and noticeably thinner crowds than summer.

Skip if

No showers, no electric hookups, and vault toilets that regularly run out of toilet paper. Bring your own. Skip site 4 if rain is in the forecast, and check your gear for ticks after setup.

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