4.2331 reviewsSelect a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$10/night
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$10/night
Booking
Check Site
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications
Learn more about alerts →Gabions Campground
44.6210, -83.8471
Paddlers and trout anglers who want a quiet, forested base on a National Scenic river. The Au Sable is spring-fed and clear, outfitters in Mio and Glennie handle rentals, and the Shore-to-Shore Trail adds a hiking option if the bugs aren't bad.
Kayakers wanting easy water access may be frustrated, there's nowhere to secure a boat in the water, and hauling it up the hill is a real inconvenience. No potable water on site, so bring everything you'll drink.
Reference information about Gabions 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>Gabions Campground offers camping on the National Scenic stretch of the Au Sable River. Natural springs are common on this section of the river, including a small one at the river's edge near the gabions. Gabions are rock-filled wire baskets that are placed along the riverbank to help reduce erosion.</p><p>The Shore-to-Shore Trail passes near the campground; however, Gabions is not a designated horse camp and horse camping is not permitted. Wildlife and waterfowl viewing opportunities exist; please respect wildlife and observe from a distance.</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>
Context for the broader area surrounding Gabions Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
Lying between the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is the nearly one-million-acre Huron-Manistee National Forests.
Huron-Manistee National Forests Supervisors Office 1755 S Mitchell St. Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-2421
Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.
Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of cooler, comfortable weather (daytime highs typically in the 45–65°F range from late September into October and crisp nights in the 30s–40s) and peak foliage along the Au Sable River, making paddling, fishing, and hiking especially scenic. Trout fishing and river paddling are excellent as water temperatures cool and aquatic activity increases, while the Shore-to-Shore Trail is quieter and pleasant for day hikes. Expect moderate crowds—busier on long weekends, s Peak months: October, September, June, July Avoid: January, February
Fall described as best season: peak foliage, crisp days, and very scenic paddling/hiking.
Gabions Campground is unstaffed and provides basic, undeveloped amenities: a vault toilet, trash collection, picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts at campsites. No potable water is provided in the campground.
Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.
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.
Be the first to review this campground
Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.
