How much does camping cost at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Camping fees at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp range from $52/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp before I book?

Yes! Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp has 4 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.

Are there showers at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp have?

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp has 45 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Pets are not allowed at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Popular activities at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

4.22

45 reviews

Top 25% in MIFall

Featured in:Fishing Camping Michigan

Quick Facts

594 ft

Price

$52/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

45 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

594 ft

Price

$52/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

45 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

$52.00 - $52.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly fee $52. Two-night minimum applies (note: $52/night referenced in source material).

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(800) 447-2757

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

44.0098, -83.0519

Nearby places

Grayling — ~14 miles

Nearby supplies

Grayling (~14 miles) — outfitters, canoe liveries and general supplies

Weather at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Best Time to Camp at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Fall delivers the best mix of conditions. Daytime highs run mid-40s to mid-60s°F with nights in the 30s–40s°F from late September through October. Trout fishing peaks as water temperatures drop, and autumn color makes for excellent paddling scenery. Summer brings warmth and insects in equal measure. Lower fall crowds mean riverside and paddle-in sites feel more solitary. Winter closes most facilities, though the Mason Tract remains open to cross-country skiers.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 25% in MI

Described as the best season: cool days, peak trout fishing, and excellent fall conditions.

Planning Tips

About Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground sits on the South Branch Au Sable River in the Mason Tract corridor, offering 45 rustic sites including four paddle-in spots on the riverbank. All sites are first-come, first-served at $52 per night. The campground caters to anglers and paddlers who value direct river access over modern amenities.

Rustic tent campground with paddle-in/walk-in river sites and a mini cabin; no hookups.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best mix of conditions. Daytime highs run mid-40s to mid-60s°F with nights in the 30s–40s°F from late September through October. Trout fishing peaks as water temperatures drop, and autumn color makes for excellent paddling scenery. Summer brings warmth and insects in equal measure. Lower fall crowds mean riverside and paddle-in sites feel more solitary. Winter closes most facilities, though the Mason Tract remains open to cross-country skiers.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies wooded terrain along a pristine stretch of the South Branch Au Sable, surrounded by mixed hardwoods and pines at 594 feet elevation. Sites are well-spaced under a forest canopy, with select spots perched directly on the riverbank. The South Branch flows clear and cold here, holding populations of brown, brook, and rainbow trout. The 8.5-mile Mason Tract Pathway loops through the surrounding forest, offering additional exploration beyond the river corridor. In late September through October, the hardwoods turn vivid gold and red against the evergreens.

Geological RegionSouth Branch Au Sable River corridor / Mason Tract (Crawford County)

Scenic ViewsRiver views from multiple riverfront sites and wooded forest views elsewhere in the campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-out

11 a.m.

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Total Campsites45 campsites

Best CampsitesReviewers consistently recommend the riverfront sites and the four paddle-in sites for seclusion and direct water access. Arrive early to claim these spots under the first-come system.

Amenities available

Rustic campground with vault (pit) toilets and potable water from hand-pump wells. No electrical or sewer hookups; minimal on-site services.

Potable water

Fire rings

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Riverside campground focused on paddling, trout fishing, and hiking; connected to the Mason Tract Pathway for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRiver hazards including high-water conditions — check river conditions and use PFDs for paddling. Final access road condition can be poor/rough. Vault-toilet, rustic setting (no hookups) means plan accordingly for water, power and sanitation.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

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).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

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

4.2

45 reviews

Satisfactory

Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise the quiet, riverside setting, clean and well-maintained rustic facilities, and excellent paddling and trout-fishing access. Many reviewers highlight large, well-spaced sites and the desirable canoe-in river sites.

Review Summaries

Based on 45 reviews

What Campers Love

Riverside location on the South Branch Au Sable River with direct canoe/kayak access and four paddle-in sites; good trout fishing (brown, brook, rainbow); large, well-spaced campsites; clean vault...

Based on 45 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Sites are first-come, first-served — arrive early to secure riverfront or paddle-in spots. Bring water treatment or extra water (hand-pump wells), pack supplies and power (battery/solar), and expect...

Based on 45 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Absolutely love it.”; “Nice camp, walk to water.”; “Rustic, no connections for RV. Quiet in off season.”

Based on 45 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Anglers and paddlers willing to go primitive get direct river access and well-spaced sites under good forest canopy. Arrive Thursday or Friday to lock down a riverfront spot before the weekend crowd; late September through October is the sweet spot for both trout and color.

Skip if

No showers, no hookups, vault toilets only, a rough access road, and spotty cell service will wear on anyone who needs comfort or connectivity. The two-night minimum at $52/night also stings for a campground this rustic.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.7

(110)

Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground

Pickerel Lake sits on 13 wooded acres in the Kalkaska State Forest, offering first-come, first-served sites beneath hardwoods and birch trees. Campers launch canoes and kayaks directly from shore, fish for bass and panfish, and sleep to the sound of water lapping an undeveloped shoreline. Vault toilets and hand-pump water keep things rustic.