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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Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (671)

4.8 out of 5

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

@JohnA1386005 · Camped on Aug 15, 2025 at Campsite #79W

This campsite is literally the end of the line. You drive and drive and then you come up to the end of the road and park and walk another 130 steps to get to it. The site is level, hard packed dirt and sand (remember a ground cloth), has a good fire pit, and, as you can see from people's pictures, a nice view. It is a cross between car camping and backpacking, as everytime you need something from your car you have to walk the 400 feet back and forth. Good for steps. It won't be for everyone, but if you don't mind walking to your car several times a day (especially if you pack like you do for car camping) it's worth it. Will be back.

@MichaelR189137 · Camped on Aug 8, 2025 at Campsite #43D

Very spacious and secluded from other sites. Vault Toilet was directly across from the site. You cant beat the view from the overlook. Its about 100ft down the stairs to the water.

@CoryDE83B92CF7 · Camped on Aug 2, 2025 at Campsite #74D

This site is HUGE!! Unfortunately when we arrived there were people there packing things up as slowly as possible. We had to wait over an hour and they left the site a mess. Trash left all over.

@HollyD545485D6 · Camped on Aug 1, 2025 at Campsite #102D

Beautiful spot

@scottb3088469 · Camped on Jul 24, 2025 at Campsite #7D

Great wide open site and no other sites nearby. There's a campground on the other side of the river that got pretty rowdy, but it's very far off. Easy walk down to the river. We even saw some mink running around.

@claudev2EE9B3E · Camped on Jul 21, 2025 at Campsite #57D

Very nice. Lots of room Enjoy going out with my grandson. Fishing a couple day. Wish that could have stayed a little bit longer.

@CharlesA359300 · Camped on Jul 19, 2025 at Campsite #41C

Site 41c is still one of the best spots in the world!! Campsite was well maintained by the past campers. That is always nice to see. What happened to the friendly raccoons? As always we were prepared for them to visit each night, every thing put away and covered and locked. Garbage hanging from the tree out of reach and so on. They never showed up. We are hoping that they got tired of island life and left on there own but somehow we doubt it. Im camping on the small island next week and I will be prepared to anti raccoon my food and things because I believe that they will show up.

@DougS2680285 · Camped on Jul 19, 2025 at Campsite #96C

Camp sight was clean and has a great view. Good fishing

@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.

@CarolH5284850 · Camped on Jul 12, 2025 at Campsite #77D

This site really grew on me. It appears to be very small and right on the road but it goes back into the pine forrest. Very shady and beautiful spot. Watch out for the raccoons! There is a great swimming spot if you are brave enough to use the steep clay steps to get there.

@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.

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

Ausable River

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (671)

4.8 out of 5

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