3.3813 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
1 campsites
Season
Open season: May 1 -...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
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Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
1 campsites
Season
Open season: May 1 -...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Cathedral Pines Campground
Cathedral Pines Campground, FR 4350, Oscoda County, Michigan, USA
Paddlers running the Au Sable who want a quiet forest camp right off the river will find this spot hard to beat. Fall is the sweet spot: temps in the 45-65°F range, no bugs, hardwoods turning color against the pines, and the Bull Gap trailhead a short drive away.
No potable water means you're hauling everything in, and the dirt access road turns nasty in a storm. One reviewer specifically warned that 4-wheel drive becomes necessary after heavy rain. Car campers who forget to check the forecast may find themselves stuck.
Reference information about Cathedral Pines Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfs-hmnf/albums/72157659836028984" title="Au Sable National Scenic River"><img alt="Au Sable National Scenic River" height="240" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/760/22986653474_5fdfd2aa5d_z.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p>The access road is gated to prohibit motorized access. Visitors to this campground are primarily river paddlers. To access the site from the road, visitors will need to walk .25 miles into the large, old-growth eastern white pine to find the campground. Trees offer a screen from the river, but still allow campers views of the river and wildlife.</p><p><strong><a href="http://go.usa.gov/x9h8F" target="external">Brochure with map</a></strong>: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfs-hmnf/albums/72157659836028984" target="external">Flickr Photo Album</a> </strong></p>
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Fall delivers the best experience here. Daytime temperatures range from 45 to 65°F, insect pressure drops, and the hardwoods turn color against the green pines. Water levels stay stable for paddling, and crowds disappear after Labor Day. The campground is open May 1 through November 30. Spring brings wildflowers and cool mornings. Summer offers warm paddling weather but expect afternoon thunderstorms. Winter closes the campground, and parking isn't plowed.
Fall noted as 'best experience'—cool temps, low insects, hardwood color against pines.
Cathedral Pines Campground provides a quiet and rustic camping experience, primarily catering to river paddlers. The campground is surrounded by large old-growth eastern white pines, creating a tranquil atmosphere screened from the river while offering wildlife views. The site is gated and accessible only by walking 0.25 miles. "Lovely large pine trees. Large campsite. Very quiet and out of the way." (user review by Curtis Casto). However, there are minimal facilities on-site, as noted in both authoritative documents and user experiences. "Few facilities. Very nice place to camp when you're on the river." (user review by Curtis Casto).
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