South Branch Trail Campground and Trailhead


Area Status: Open

Shore to Shore Campgrounds and Trailheads

The campground is adjacent to the South Branch River, near the Au Sable River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area. If you are traveling west to east, the South Branch Trail Campground and the River Road Trail Campground are the last two campgrounds before reaching Lake Huron. 

The Shore-to-Shore Trail begins in Empire near Lake Michigan, on the west side of the state and ends at Lake Huron on the eastern side of the state. The trail passes under I-75, north of Grayling, and then continues eastward to follow the historic Au Sable River to its end in Au Sable, just south of Oscoda.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Annual maintenance of the site will resume for spring on May 7
Operational Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted. Forest quiet hours apply.
Area Amenities: Parking
Fees: Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Camping -
  • Per Night: $15.00
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 7 - September 30
Usage: Light
Best Season: April 1 to November 30
Restrictions: Allowed
  • Nonmotorized Use
  • Nonmotorized Snow Use
  • Saddle and Pack Animals
Prohibited
  • Motorized Vehicles
  • Motorized Over-snow Vehicles
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 -
  • Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
  • Occupancy and Use; R904-14-03
Closest Towns: Hale, Glennie
Water: Drinking Water
Restroom: Vault
Operated By: Huron Shores Ranger Station - (989) 739-0728
Information Center:

General Information

Directions:

From Tawas-

  • Travel west on M-55 for 14.7 miles.
  • Turn right and travel north on M-65 for 14 miles.
  • Turn left and travel west on Rollway Rd. for 3 miles.
  • The site is located on the right.

General Notes:

Location - Shore-to-Shore Horse Trail

Nearby Recreation Areas -

  • South Branch River

County - Iosco

Seasonal and Other Information -

  • Gated when closed. 

 


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Amenities -

  • Hand Pump
  • Generator Driven Water Pump - 5,000 watt generator needed, generator not provided
No. of Sites Single: 21 Group: 1
Reservation Info Single Sites: No reservation needed.  All sites are first come, first served. Group Site: Reservable.
Sleeping Shelter No

RV Camping

No. of Sites
  • Single: 21
  • Group: 1 (30 - 250 people)
Pavement Type for Parking Dirt/Gravel
Reservation Info Group Site - Reservation needed -
  • Mid-May to Mid-September
  • One time reservation fee of $10.00
  • Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of visit.
  • Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of visit.
Go to: Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Single Sites - No reservation needed.  All sites are first come, first served.
Hookup - Water No
Vehicle Clearence Low
Hookup - Sewer No
Size Restrictions 80 Ft. or Less
Dump Stations No
Hookups - Electric No

Group Camping

No. of Sites Group: 1 (30 - 250 people)
Reservation Info Reservation needed -
  • Mid-May to Mid-September
  • One time reservation fee of $10.00
  • Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of visit.
  • Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of visit.
Go to: Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Horse Camping

Amenities -

  • Hand Pump
  • Generator Driven Water Pump - 5,000 watt generator needed, generator not provided
No. of Sites
  • Single: 21
  • Group: 1 (30 - 250 people)
Reservation Info Group Site - Reservation needed -
  • Mid-May to Mid-September
  • One time reservation fee of $10.00
  • Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of visit.
  • Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of visit.
Go to: Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Single Sites - No reservation needed.  All sites are first come, first served.
Size Restrictions No
Corrals No
Loading Ramp No
Watering Tank Yes
Hitching Rails No

Horse Riding

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

This trail is not groomed in winter.

Amenities

Parking: 65 vehicle capacity

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Area/Length : 
25 miles

  Latitude : 
44.484725

  Longitude : 
-83.795391