Ausable River Campground, MI - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Ausable River Campground is located in the Tawas Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest (1 hr 21 min north of Bay City, MI) with an elevation of 825 feet. There are a total of 102 campsites including 53 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of January to the end of November. 49 sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $0.00 to $10.00. Some amenities include boat ramp. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (662)

4.8 out of 5

5 star		89%
4 star		7%
3 star		2%
2 star		0%
1 star		1%

@ChristinaC6B41 · Camped on Jul 15, 2025 at Campsite #8W

If you're wondering if you should bring your wagon, the answer is yes. The path is only like 2 min walk. It's a bit narrow and a few big roots, but if you are thinking you personally might want a wagon, especially for firewood the answer is yes. Bring it.

@AdamL6EB96558F · Camped on Jul 12, 2025 at Campsite #24C

Great site

@BrendaD2283528 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #44D

We camped at site 44D. It was a short walk to the outhouse, which was kept pretty clean. The best part of our experience was the river access. It was literally a handful of steps down the built in steps!

@JenileeDCFBAEC · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #25C

Very peaceful. Perfect camping weekend.

@AllannahR6DC5B · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #90W

Got a terrible case of swimmers itch. Dont go in the water anywhere at Foote Pond. Not even just your feet.

@roberty3083877 · Camped on Jul 10, 2025 at Campsite #52D

Awesome views very peaceful weekend

@BenM3451919 · Camped on Jul 4, 2025 at Campsite #9C

The campsite was great for first timers. It was close to the Alcona Dam put in, and close to the Bobcat Creek pull out locations, which are pretty close to each other by road. The only downside we encountered was that a spot on the river right across from our site was what the locals called the "party spot." We went on the weekend of the 4th of July, so had loud partying going on for several hours a couple days. With that in mind, I would not recommend that site for hot summer weekends. All in all, it was very enjoyable and we would do it again.

@KristenV693074 · Camped on Jul 3, 2025 at Campsite #1D

We camp up here yearly. We love it. Site 1 water access is a little steep otherwise is a nice location

@scotts8955128 · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #91D

Great site. Nice pond views. The DNR put stairs in 5 years ago. Great improvement. Bring a long rope and a pulley to haul your kayaks back up the steep hill. Right on the 2 track road, but there are only 2 site beyond the site. No traffic. One of our favorite sites.

@EricKDAE7AA581 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #21C

Nice spot to camp for a night or two, if you put in at Loud Dam. Depending on wind is less than an hour to paddle up. Wind more than current is the issue. Pond is very still most times. Campsite is a little up-hill from landing spot, but less so than many other riverside campsites here, so not too bad to unload. Well shaded throughout midsummer days, keeps cool, but if relying on solar there can be struggles to find spots on shore to put the panels.

@ThomasD6597226 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #15C

Not sure what can be done about it but the ticks were terrible. Had 2 on us within 20 minutes. Ended up using a full can of Raid tick and flea to spray the campsite.

@TalburtL849521 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #26C

Stayed a couple nights on site 26. Great site, easy access, and clean. Front is exposed to wind and sun but plenty of space back in the trees to set up and be sheltered.

@BrendaT8406535 · Camped on Jun 21, 2025 at Campsite #52D

The sites on Sawmill Point are on the water and you are able to have your boat right there at your campsite.

@WilliamL145693 · Camped on Jun 20, 2025 at Campsite #27C

This spot was perfect. So perfect we had a group try to take out campsite before we arrived. They quickly packed up and moved on when we arrived, but stowaways are always present. The campsite was clean and had awesome views of the sunset. It was a little hard to moor our kayaks but we managed. I plan on returning to this site next year.

@KennethN693684 · Camped on Jun 20, 2025 at Campsite #37C

Very great and well maintained site. Be sure to secure your food, there is an EXTREMELY friendly raccoon that came to visit us on the first day. Swimming is average, as the pond gets very deep very fast. Trees for at least 3 hammocks, but plenty of space for tents. I had full cell service (T-Mobile).

@CoryDE83B92CF7 · Camped on Jun 7, 2025 at Campsite #11D

The camp site was beautiful!! The downside is that everyone thinks they can pull into your campsite and hang out. We even had people park their vehicles and walk right down the steps. Its clearly marked as a campsite, people just have no respect. When we first pulled up there was a vehicle there and my husband told them it was our site we paid for. They got back in their vehicles and peeled out aggressively.

@CarolH5284850 · Camped on Jun 1, 2025 at Campsite #82D

Quick overnight in one of my favorite places. Lots of poison ivy on the site so keep your eyes open.

@SUZANNEO941192 · Camped on May 31, 2025 at Campsite #17C

Site 17C had lots of poison ivy! No pit toilet. No steel fire ring- just a ring of rocks with layers of dry pine needles everywhere. Building a fire did not seem safe.

@richarda847269 · Camped on May 29, 2025 at Campsite #50D

Camping at Sawmill camp sites are always great. Only complaint is they need to stop letting campers and motorhomes on rustic sites. Two reasons, they stay to long and cause a booking frenzy (not allowing lower income families camp), its rustic camping!

@maureend38E74F · Camped on May 26, 2025 at Campsite #43D

The peace and quiet and large sites are worth it!

@ChadW9135696 · Camped on May 23, 2025 at Campsite #76D

As remote as this location is. Was good to see a park ranger checking on the sites to make sure kept up and that we were the correct party that made the reservation. Very well kept area. Definitely will be back

@DavidL8659169 · Camped on May 21, 2025 at Campsite #11D

Website canceled my reservation 3 days early for no reason refunded me and then gave my reservation to somebody else

@DionneS1F16BA6 · Camped on May 18, 2025 at Campsite #92D

92 is a gorgeous site! There is a manageable incline down to the water where there are also two tie offs for boats. I think it could be tough to carry a kayak back up the incline alone. I just had a small tent, but the site could accommodate a medium size camper. To the left of the site is a spring with a small little waterfall thats beautiful and has a soothing sound to it. There are no close neighbors, but the site is very close to the dirt road with only a small amount of traffic. My cell phone had no Verizon service and read SOS.

@RaymondD430090 · Camped on May 13, 2025 at Campsite #88D

We've been camping here for 25 years. We wouldn't go anywhere else.

@DouglasB187722 · Camped on May 10, 2025 at Campsite #82D

Great site with an amazing view over the river.

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Ausable River Campground, MI - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Ausable River

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (662)

4.8 out of 5

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