Rifle River Spruce Campground

4.73

15 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$13/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$13/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

Get Directions

Rifle River Spruce Campground

$13.00 - $13.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly fee $13. Recreation Passport: Not Required.

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

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Michigan

Provider

(800) 447-2757

What Campers Say

4.73

Top-Rated

Based on 15 reviews

15 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanwaterfriendly

Some mention

noisebugs

"Visitors consistently praise Spruce Rustic Campground for its scenery, privacy and quiet — often calling it peaceful and well maintained. Reviews note the campground is very rustic: vault toilets and a hand pump supply potable water (which has been reported as unreliable at times)."

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Fees & Passes at Rifle River Spruce Campground

$13/night

Campsite fees

Prices verified December 13, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.

Best Time to Camp at Rifle River Spruce Campground

Spruce Rustic reveals different charms with each turning season, rewarding visitors who come back throughout the year. Summer brings warm days perfect for paddling the river's gentle current and casting for trout in cool morning mist. Autumn paints the hardwoods in brilliant golds and crimsons, while winter transforms the forest into a hushed, snow-draped sanctuary. Visit during spring or fall shoulder seasons and you'll likely have the trails and campsites nearly to yourself—the peace is almost tangible.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

About Rifle River Spruce Campground

Tucked into the heart of Rifle River Recreation Area, Spruce Rustic Campground offers 16 secluded sites beneath a canopy of towering trees, where the gentle sounds of the nearby Rifle River replace the noise of everyday life. This is camping stripped to its essentials—vault toilets, hand-pump water, and the kind of peaceful solitude that draws anglers, paddlers, and anyone seeking a true escape into Michigan's north woods.

Spruce is a rustic campground loop with 16 heavily wooded sites near the Rifle River; basic amenities only (vault toilets, hand pump).

Weather and SeasonsSpruce Rustic reveals different charms with each turning season, rewarding visitors who come back throughout the year. Summer brings warm days perfect for paddling the river's gentle current and casting for trout in cool morning mist. Autumn paints the hardwoods in brilliant golds and crimsons, while winter transforms the forest into a hushed, snow-draped sanctuary. Visit during spring or fall shoulder seasons and you'll likely have the trails and campsites nearly to yourself—the peace is almost tangible.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a world of mature forest where dense tree cover filters the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. The Rifle River flows just beyond your campsite, its cool waters home to prized trout and perfect for launching a kayak or canoe. Beyond the campground loop, the recreation area unfolds into a mosaic of glassy lakes, quiet wetlands, and winding creeks threading through mixed hardwood and pine forest. Birders will find plenty to watch and listen for, while hikers can explore scenic trails that lead to an observation tower—climb to the top for sweeping views across the water-dotted landscape that stretches to the horizon.

Campsite details

Total Campsites16 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Wooded, riverine setting offering river and lake access plus multi-use trails; good for fishing, paddling, hiking, biking and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Miles of multi-use trails in Rifle River Recreation Area, including short family‑friendly loops (e.g., Pintail Pond Trail) and longer varied routes through woods, wetlands and sandy areas.

Fishing

Rifle River is popular for trout fishing; multiple lakes in the recreation area also offer fishing opportunities.

Swimming

The recreation area includes a public beach and multiple lakes suitable for swimming.

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsBiting insects (mosquitoes) can be intense near wetlands in warm months; river paddling routes may contain numerous downed trees requiring portages and stretches of deep muck; wildlife such as raccoons and coyotes are present—secure food and trash.

Weather at Rifle River Spruce Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 81%

Wind: 6.4 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsLimited amenities (vault toilets only, no on-site showers), occasional hand‑pump water outages, no central trash at sites (dumpsters located outside the loop), bugs in wetland areas, and occasional nighttime wildlife noise and raccoon activity.

Campground Map

Rifle River Spruce Campground

Nearby supplies

Store located across the street (unspecified)

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.7

15 reviews

Top-Rated

Rifle River Spruce Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise Spruce Rustic Campground for its scenery, privacy and quiet — often calling it peaceful and well maintained. Reviews note the campground is very rustic: vault toilets and a hand pump supply potable water (which has been reported as unreliable at times).

Review Summaries

Based on 15 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic, heavily wooded sites close to the Rifle River; quiet and private feel compared with the park's modern loop; generally clean facilities; family‑friendly trails and water activities nearby.

Based on 15 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book early for summer and trout season; bring insect repellent and a way to filter or carry extra water if the hand pump is out of service; you can buy a shower pass at an adjoining park; secure food...

Based on 15 reviews