Au Sable River Backcountry Campsites
Au Sable River Primitive Camping is not a physical campground located at one location. A series of 102 individually designated single-family campsites are located on a 55-mile stretch of the Au Sable River shoreline and bluffs within Alcona and Iosco Counties, from 4001 Bridge to Oscoda.
Maps are available on recreation.gov that show where each campsite is located.
Active Alerts
General Information
Nearby Recreation Areas -
- 4001 Canoe Landing
- Bobcat Creek Carry-in Access
- Thompson's Landing
- Pine Acres Boat Launch
- Sawmill Point Boat Launch
- Gravel Point Carry-in Access
- Whirlpool Angler Access
County - Alcona, Iosco
Year-round; Not maintained December 1 – April 14
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted. Forest quiet hours apply.
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. Rules specific to the Huron-Manistee National Forest are available 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 -
- Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
- Occupancy and Use; R904-18-02
- Au Sable River and Cooke Pond Semi-primitive Motorized Areas, shorelines of Alcona Pond and the Eagle Run Trail System; R904-14-21
No permit or reservation is required December 1 - April14
Information about when a Special Use Permit is required can be found on the Permits page.
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $10 per night
Some parking areas have separate fees.
Interagency Senior and Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to single campsites only.
*The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.*
Canoe Rentals -
- Glennie:
- Alcona Canoe Rental
- Hale:
- Rollways Resort
- Mio:
- Hinchman Acres Canoe Livery
- Oscoda:
- Oscoda Canoe Rental
Address: 5761 N. Skeel Road Oscoda, MI 48750
Phone: (989) 739-0728
Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 44.43444444
Longitude: -83.62222222
Parking
Alcona Pond -
Alcona Dam to Loud Pond -
- Alcona Dam
- Bobcat Creek Carry-in Access
- Thompson's Landing
- Loud Dam
Five Channels -
- Loud Dam
- Five Channels Dam
Cooke Pond -
Foote Pond -
- Cooke Dam
Lower Au Sable River -
- Foote Dam
- Whirlpool Angler Access
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Recreation Groups
This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere.