Cathedral Pines Campground

4.00

13 reviews

Cathedral Pines Campground, FR 4350, Oscoda County, Michigan, USA

Quick Facts

958 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open season: May 1 -...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Huron-Manistee National Forests site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

958 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open season: May 1 -...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Huron-Manistee National Forests site

Official Website

Get Directions

Cathedral Pines Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this site.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

(989) 826-3252

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What Campers Say

4.00

Satisfactory

Based on 13 reviews

9 Google reviews

Most mentioned

sites

"The user reviews generally praise the quiet and secluded nature of Cathedral Pines Campground and the large pine trees and campsites. However, the lack of facilities is a recurring theme. "Lovely large pine trees. Large campsite. Very quiet and out of the way. Few facilities." (user review by Curtis Casto)."

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Campground Map

Cathedral Pines Campground, FR 4350, Oscoda County, Michigan, USA

Cathedral Pines Campground

Cathedral Pines Campground, FR 4350, Oscoda County, Michigan, USA

Driving directionsFrom Grayling - Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Go straight and travel east on S. River Rd. for 5.5 miles. Turn left and travel north on FR 4350. Parking is located at the gate.

A gated access road prohibits motorized vehicles; visitors must walk approximately 0.25 miles to reach the campground. Seasonal conditions may affect accessibility—parking is not plowed during winter.

Nearby places

Grayling (approximately 35 miles, 55 minutes), Mio (approximately 45 miles, 1 hour), Oscoda (approximately 80 miles, 1 hour and 40 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Supplies and rentals are available in nearby towns such as Glennie, Alcona, Hale, Mio, and Oscoda. Specific options include Au Sable River Kayaking Company LLC, Gotts Landing, and Oscoda Canoe Rental.

Best Time to Camp at Cathedral Pines Campground

From the wildflower blooms of May through the golden tapestry of November, Cathedral Pines welcomes adventurers during its open season (May 1 - November 30). Spring arrives with crisp mornings perfect for riverside coffee, while summer brings warm days ideal for paddling expeditions—though afternoon showers may send you scurrying beneath the protective pine boughs. Autumn transforms the forest into a painter's palette of golds and crimsons against the evergreen backdrop. The campground rests through winter, when snow blankets the pines and maintenance crews step back to let nature reign supreme.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer cited as ideal season; open and accessible May–Nov with good weather.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall recommended ('golden tapestry of November'); scenic foliage and pleasant conditions.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Open starting May 1; spring offers crisp mornings and wildflowers though early season may be chilly/muddy.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground closed Nov 30–Apr 30 and not maintained in winter.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 1 - November 30.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season: May 1 - November 30. The site is closed during winter due to lack of maintenance.

About Cathedral Pines Campground

Step into a living cathedral of towering eastern white pines at Cathedral Pines Campground, where centuries-old giants create a natural sanctuary along the Au Sable River. This peaceful walk-in site serves as a beloved haven for river paddlers seeking respite in nature's embrace. As one visitor beautifully captured it: 'Lovely large pine trees. Large campsite. Very quiet and out of the way. Few facilities' (Curtis Casto, 2021). Here, the simplicity is the luxury—spacious sites beneath ancient canopies, the gentle murmur of the river nearby, and a profound sense of solitude that only Michigan's wilderness can provide.

Cathedral Pines Campground caters to primitive camping enthusiasts, as the site is only accessible by walking 0.25 miles from the parking area. Facilities are minimal, focusing on a natural and quiet experience. "Lovely large pine trees. Large campsite. Very quiet and out of the way." (user review by Curtis Casto).

Weather and SeasonsFrom the wildflower blooms of May through the golden tapestry of November, Cathedral Pines welcomes adventurers during its open season (May 1 - November 30). Spring arrives with crisp mornings perfect for riverside coffee, while summer brings warm days ideal for paddling expeditions—though afternoon showers may send you scurrying beneath the protective pine boughs. Autumn transforms the forest into a painter's palette of golds and crimsons against the evergreen backdrop. The campground rests through winter, when snow blankets the pines and maintenance crews step back to let nature reign supreme.

ElevationElevation data not provided.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine camping within a living monument—Cathedral Pines showcases some of Michigan's most magnificent old-growth eastern white pines, their massive trunks rising like pillars into the sky. These gentle giants create a natural privacy screen while still offering tantalizing glimpses of the Au Sable River flowing past. Dawn often brings deer picking their way through the understory, while eagles soar overhead and the occasional splash hints at river otters at play. The interplay of filtered sunlight through the pine canopy creates an ever-changing tableau of light and shadow across your campsite.

Geological RegionNestled within the acclaimed Huron-Manistee National Forests, Cathedral Pines occupies a privileged position along the Au Sable National Scenic River Corridor—one of Michigan's crown jewels of protected waterways. This remarkable ecosystem represents a rare glimpse into Michigan's pre-settlement landscape, where massive eastern white pines once blanketed the region. The surrounding forest and river corridor create a wildlife highway, making this an exceptional spot for nature observation while the ancient pines stand as sentinels, having witnessed centuries of seasons along these pristine waters.

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Check-in

Open 24 hours
no specific check-in time.

Check-out

Forest quiet hours apply
campers must vacate by applicable regulations.

Stay Limit

Camping is prohibited except at designated campgrounds or campsites.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No special permit needed for groups under 75 people
individual campsites are available.

Groups

No group site information is provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSingle large campsite surrounded by forest; walk-in access only.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable; reservations are not required.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis; availability may vary with seasonal demand, especially in summer.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable as reservations are not required; the site operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not described in the authoritative source or user reviews.

Site SizeLarge campsite." (user review by Curtis Casto).

PrivacyVery quiet and out of the way." (user review by Curtis Casto).

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesRecommended for small groups and river paddlers due to proximity to the Au Sable River. Visitors should consider weather conditions before visiting.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The activities at Cathedral Pines Campground primarily revolve around river paddling and enjoying the natural surroundings. "Visitors to this campground are primarily river paddlers." (authoritative source). User reviews emphasize the connection to the nearby Bull Gap trailhead and river access. "Not a bad place to camp. It's tucked back and you have to carry your gear to the sites but the Bull Gap trail head is right up the road and you can gain access from the river." (user review by Neshnabek).

HikingHiking trails are implied through mentions of the nearby Bull Gap trailhead, although no specific trails are described in authoritative sources.

BoatingThe campground is primarily frequented by river paddlers, indicating non-motorized boating activities such as canoeing and kayaking. "Visitors to this campground are primarily river paddlers." (authoritative source).

Wildlife viewing"Trees offer a screen from the river, but still allow campers views of the river and wildlife." (authoritative source).

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal hazards include thunderstorms and muddy roads requiring 4-wheel drive access. 'Beware though. If you drive back there and it storms you'd better have 4-wheel drive' (Neshnabek, 2020).

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCamping fires are allowed at designated sites; adhere to forest rules.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Forest quiet hours apply.

Emergency ServicesMio Ranger Station at 107 McKinley Road Mio, MI 48647; Phone: (989) 826-3252 (open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed on federal holidays).

Trash & RecyclingNo trash or recycling facilities are mentioned in the authoritative sources or user reviews.

Water FeaturesLocated near the Au Sable National Scenic River; ideal for river paddlers and kayaking.

Weather at Cathedral Pines Campground

Reviews

4.0

13 reviews

Satisfactory

Cathedral Pines Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

The user reviews generally praise the quiet and secluded nature of Cathedral Pines Campground and the large pine trees and campsites. However, the lack of facilities is a recurring theme. "Lovely large pine trees. Large campsite. Very quiet and out of the way. Few facilities." (user review by Curtis Casto).

Review Summaries

Based on 13 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive mentions include the serene environment, large campsites, and proximity to the river for paddlers and the Bull Gap trailhead. "Not a bad place to camp. It's tucked back and you have to carry...

Based on 13 reviews

Common Concerns

Criticism is focused on the minimal facilities and challenging access during storms. "Beware though. If you drive back there and it storms you'd better have 4 wheel drive." (user review by Neshnabek).

Based on 13 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring suitable footwear for the 0.25-mile walk to the campsite. Prepare for minimal facilities and check weather conditions before visiting to avoid access issues during storms.

Based on 13 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest summer and fall are ideal seasons to visit due to favorable weather conditions and accessibility. Winter is not recommended as the site is not maintained and roads are unplowed.

Based on 13 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Although we were passing through on kayaks we stopped here and had to take pics of this site... I think I'll be camping out here next time." (user review by Ronald Humphreys). "Lovely large pine...

Based on 13 reviews