Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Star4.30
44 reviews
Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Quick Facts

614 ft

Price

$160/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
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Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp
from $160.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Source lists sites starting at $160 per night.
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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Michigan
Provider
(989) 856-4411
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What Campers Say

4.30

Satisfactory

Based on 44 reviews

40 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanlocationsites

Some mention

crowded

"Reviews portray Rainbow Bend as a quiet, scenic, family-friendly riverside campground favored by paddlers and anglers. Campers consistently note its rustic character—vault toilets, a water pump, fire rings and picnic tables—and say it is not RV-oriented."

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Campground Map

Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

43.9796, -83.2105

Driving directionsAbout 15 miles east of Grayling via M-72, McMasters Bridge and Conners Flat.
Accessible via M-72; expect basic forest-road access to the campground.
Nearby places
Grayling — approx. 15 miles
Nearby supplies
Grayling (approx. 15 miles)

Best Time to Camp at Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Prime season for paddling and trout fishing; campground oriented to summer river use.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Hardwood canopy implies strong fall color viewing; hunting access nearby noted.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5
Top 14% in MI

Spring paddling and trout fishing likely strong as river conditions and flows favor anglers.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

No winter activities mentioned and site is rustic; winter use likely limited.

Planning Tips

    About Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

    Tucked along a picturesque bend of the Au Sable River, Rainbow Bend offers paddlers and anglers an intimate escape into Michigan's northwoods. This rustic riverside retreat sits about 15 miles east of Grayling in Crawford County, where the focus is on simplicity: basic amenities, vault toilets, and direct access to one of the region's most beloved waterways.
    A small, rustic tent campground with paddle-in river sites and a canoe group-use area. First-come, first-served; limited facilities.
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    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Vault toilets
    Group Sites

    Activities you can enjoy

    Primary uses are paddling/canoeing and trout fishing on the Au Sable River; the site also provides access to surrounding state land where hunting is allowed. The campground is oriented toward river access and paddle-in use.
    FishingBrown, brook and rainbow trout are caught in the Au Sable River; river fishing access is available directly from the campground.
    Boating
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsRiver hazards — be mindful of high-water conditions and river currents. Remote/rustic setting with limited services; potential for increased river traffic/noise during peak season.

    Weather at Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

    Reviews

    4.3
    44 reviews
    Satisfactory
    Satisfactory
    Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviews portray Rainbow Bend as a quiet, scenic, family-friendly riverside campground favored by paddlers and anglers. Campers consistently note its rustic character—vault toilets, a water pump, fire rings and picnic tables—and say it is not RV-oriented.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 44 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Riverside location on the Au Sable River, good trout fishing, easy canoe/paddle access, secluded wooded sites, clean vault toilets and large fire pits/picnic tables.
    Based on 44 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Arrive prepared with food, supplies and firewood as needed, expect first-come, first-served camping, bring lanterns/flashlights (no electricity), and plan for river conditions if paddling....
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    Based on 44 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    Was able to camp right next to the river when we were kayaking.; Legit. Vault toilets and access to the river. I would say not rv friendly.; Sites are spread out. Good size fire pits. Water pump on...
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    Based on 44 reviews

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    Last updated February 2, 2026
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