Au Sable Loop Campground and Day Use Area

Area Status: Open

Entrance sign for the Au Sable Loop Campground.

As visitors exit McKinley Road to enter the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook, they will first see a panoramic vista of the National Scenic portion of the Au Sable River. An exemplary setting for wildlife viewing, visitors and campers will see a melding of habitats as the river turns to forest and then to field. The campground is set amidst a mixed hardwood forest. Please respect wildlife and observe from a distance. From the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook follow the unpaved road to reach the campground.

Brochure with map: 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.

Flickr Photo Album

At a Glance

Operational Hours:	Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted. Forest quiet hours apply.
Rentals & Guides:	Canoe Rentals - Glennie: Alcona Canoe Rental Hale: Rollways Resort Mio: Gotts Landing Hinchman's Acres Resort Oscoda: Au Sable River Kayaking Company LLC; B & B LLC (Hunts) Oscoda Canoe Rental
Area Amenities:	Boat ramp, Parking
Fees:	Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Day Use - Day: $5.00 Week: $15.00 Camping - Per Night: $10.00
Permit Info:	Special Use Permit - No special use permit is required for individuals or small groups (74 people or less). Permits are required for commercial, event or large groups (75 people or more). Visit the Passes and Permits section for more information on obtaining a special use permit.
Open Season:	May 1 - November 30
Busiest Season:	May to September
Restrictions:	As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. Applicable Orders - Au Sable National Scenic River Corridor; R904-14-18 Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02 Occupancy and Use; R904-14-03 Highlights - Camping is prohibited, except at designated campgrounds or campsites.
Closest Towns:	Mio
Water:	Drinking Water
Restroom:	Vault
Operated By:	Mio Ranger District - (989) 826-3252
Information Center:	*Mio Ranger Station* 989-826-3252 Email sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov

General Information

Directions:

From Grayling -

Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles.
Turn left and go north on M-72/M-33 for .5 miles.
Turn right and go east on McKinley Rd. for 3 miles.
Turn right and follow the signs to the site.

General Notes:

Location - Au Sable National Scenic River

Nearby Recreation Sites -

River Dune Campground
Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook

County - Oscoda

Seasonal and Other Information -

This site is not gated during the off season.
This site is not maintained in winter:
- Access road and/or parking lot are not plowed.
- No toilet facilities are available.

Accessibility:

Restroom facilities are accessible.
Campsites are hard-packed earth.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Au Sable Loop Campground - tent camping This site also provides access to River Dune Campground via a short trail along the river.

The sites are spaced apart and set back from the road.

No. of Sites	Single: 5
Reservation Info	No reservation needed. All sites are first come, first served.
Sleeping Shelter	No

RV Camping

Au Sable Loop Campground - RV camping Sites are pull-in only, so be prepared to back campers in or out.

No. of Sites	Single: 5
Reservation Info	No reservations needed. All sites are first come, first served.
Hookup - Water	No
Vehicle Clearence	Medium
Hookup - Sewer	No
Size Restrictions	25 Ft. or Less
Dump Stations	No
Hookups - Electric	No
Pavement Type of Parking	Dirt/Gravel
Difficulty Level:	Easy

River and Stream Fishing

Au Sable Loop Campground - fishing sign Access to the river is afforde by a short path from the campground. A second path parallels the river heading towards River Dune Campground, heading left. Or a short set of steps will provide access to the river directly from the clearing.

Fish Species	Bass, Pike, Brown Trout, Walleye, Perch, Sunfish, Steelhead, Salmon
Special Designations	National Scenic River
Fishing Mode	Boat, Shore, Wade
Fishing Platform	No
Water Temperature	Cold
Fishing Method	Fly, Pole
Water/Flow Level	2 mph

Boating - Non-Motorized

For more information on paddling the Au Sable National Scenic River, including flow, watercraft size restrictions and difficulty, visit the Au Sable National Scenic River page.