Au Sable Loop Campground

Star3.61
31 reviews
Au Sable Loop Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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Au Sable Loop Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(989) 826-3252

What Campers Say

3.61

Mixed Reviews

Based on 31 reviews

24 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietwell-maintainedsites

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Au Sable Loop Campground, repeatedly describing it as a quiet, beautiful, and “awesome” rustic spot, especially for families and repeat visitors. Many highlight its serene, secluded feel and proximity to the Au Sable River and Mio, MI, with only a few minor complaints about amenities and occasional staff or neighbor issues."

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About Au Sable Loop Campground

Discover a hidden gem where five intimate campsites nestle within a cathedral of hardwoods, just steps from the legendary Au Sable River. Reached by a winding unpaved road from the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook, this quiet retreat offers front-row access to some of Michigan's most pristine river scenery, whether you're casting a line, launching a canoe, or simply soaking in the wilderness from your picnic table.
A small, five-site campground accessed via an unpaved road and located in mixed hardwood forest near the National Scenic Au Sable River. Campsites include picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.
Natural Features and SceneryWhere river meets forest and forest meets meadow, this campground sits at the crossroads of three distinct ecosystems along the National Scenic Au Sable River. The resulting biodiversity creates a wildlife-watcher's paradise: bald eagles soar overhead on seven-foot wingspans, white-tailed deer emerge from the shadows at dusk, and if you're fortunate, you might spot the elusive bobcat or a lumbering porcupine. Songbirds provide the morning soundtrack while waterfowl glide along the river's glassy surface, making every moment here feel like a scene from a nature documentary unfolding just for you.
Geological RegionSituated along the storied banks of the National Scenic Au Sable River, the campground occupies a special niche within Michigan's northern hardwood forest belt. The mixed hardwood canopy of maple, oak, and birch creates dappled shade and spectacular seasonal color, while the river's ancient course has carved a landscape of gentle banks and rich bottomland that has drawn people to its shores for thousands of years.
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Campsite details

Sites SizeFive campsites
Sites PrivacySet amidst a mixed hardwood forest near the Au Sable River
Total Campsites5 campsites
Recommended CampsitesCampsites are near a short path to Au Sable River for fishing and non-motorized boating; trails nearby include the Mio Nature Trail (0.5 mile) and the Wolf Creek Trail (4.5 miles).

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSmall, five-site campground set within mixed hardwood forest near the river.
Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov (reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds managed through this platform)
Cancellation PolicyAll reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreation centers on river-based activities, hiking, wildlife viewing, scenery viewing, and picnicking. Short trails and river access provide opportunities for anglers and non-motorized boaters.
Hiking
Mio Nature Trail (0.5 mile) on the north side of the river with trailhead at the Mio Ranger Station parking lot; Wolf Creek Trail (4.5 miles) on the south side with a trailhead 1 mile west of Mio down South River Road. Both provide views of the Au Sable River and suit a range of skill levels.
Fishing
Anglers can boat, wade, and fish from shore. Fish species in the Au Sable River include bass, pike, brown trout, walleye, perch, sunfish, steelhead, and salmon. The river flows at approximately 2 mph.
Boating
Non-motorized boating (canoes, kayaks, rafts) is supported via river access; watercraft can be rented in Mio at Hinchman’s Acres Resort or at Alcona Canoe Rental in Glennie.
Wildlife viewing
Excellent wildlife viewing where river, forest, and field habitats meet; species noted include bald eagles, deer, bear, bobcat, porcupine, various songbirds, and waterfowl.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsPresence of wildlife including bear and bobcat (observe from a distance). River and water recreation hazards inherent to river access (river flows at 2 mph).

Weather at Au Sable Loop Campground

13
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Mainly clear
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 8.3 mph
Mainly clear

Weather History
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Good to know

Trash and recyclingTrash collection services provided.
Proximity to water featuresLocated near the banks of the Au Sable River; a short path from the campground provides river access. The river flows at approximately 2 mph and supports boating (canoes, kayaks, rafts) and fishing.
HostThis location is unstaffed. For general information contact the main office at the phone number provided.

Campground Map

Au Sable Loop Campground
Driving directionsFrom Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Turn left and go north on M-72/M-33 for 0.5 miles. Turn right and go east on McKinley Rd. for 3 miles. Turn right and follow the signs to the site. From the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook follow the unpaved road to reach the campground.
Accessible via M-72 and M-33; final approach on McKinley Rd and an unpaved road from the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook.
Nearby places
Grayling — referenced route begins there (travel east on M-72 for 30 miles to reach approach). Mio and Glennie mentioned as nearby service/rental locations (distances not provided).
Nearby supplies
Mio (equipment rentals available at Hinchman’s Acres Resort
Mio Ranger Station and Mio Nature Trail nearby). Glennie (Alcona Canoe Rental available).

Reviews from booking and map sources

3.6
31 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Au Sable Loop Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers overwhelmingly love Au Sable Loop Campground, repeatedly describing it as a quiet, beautiful, and “awesome” rustic spot, especially for families and repeat visitors. Many highlight its serene, secluded feel and proximity to the Au Sable River and Mio, MI, with only a few minor complaints about amenities and occasional staff or neighbor issues.
Review Summaries
Based on 31 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise the campground as a “great little spot” with a quiet, relaxing atmosphere and large campsites, making it ideal for family trips and extended stays. They like its rustic character (no...
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Based on 31 reviews

Common Concerns

The most consistent complaint is the lack of showers, mentioned by multiple reviewers. Others note occasional issues such as a rude park ranger, toilet paper not being stocked for several days, ticks...
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Based on 31 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers suggest being prepared for rustic conditions: there are no showers or power, and you should bring your own water for washing and your own toilet paper just in case. One camper warns to...
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Based on 31 reviews

Camper Quotes

“My first time here and it was perfect!! It was quiet, our site was huge and just very relaxing!!” “Great place for rustic camping. Minus 1 star because the lady park ranger is rude.” “Loved it had a...
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Based on 31 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #4 (on the vault toilet side of the road, middle site) is reported to flood badly during heavy rain and can “quickly become a lake,” so it’s best avoided in wet conditions. Site #5 is described...
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Based on 31 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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