Au Sable River Backcountry Campsites
USFS · Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- Fee charged
- Managed by
- USFS
- Type
- Campground
- Hours
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted.
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Coordinates
- 44.4345, -83.6222
- Last verified
- September 18, 2026
About this place
Ausable 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 Ausable 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. Brochure with map: River Road National Scenic Byway (pdf) - this brochure shows River Road, the Au Sable River and Lumberman 's Monument Highbanks River Trail Map (coming soon)Eagle Run Trail Map (coming soon)The 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. The trail maps are set to print on 8. 5x11 paper. Flickr Photo Albums: Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron Visitor Center and Grounds Programs River Road National Scenic Byway Largo Springs Highbanks River Trail Eagle Run Trail
From the USFS.Official page
Is this site free?
No. this site charges a fee. It is managed by the USFS. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
How do I get to this site?
Alcona Pond - located approximately 6;miles west of Glennie and 10 miles southeast of McKinley. Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area;- Between Alcona Dam and Loud Pond, access is at Alcona Dam, Thompson 's Landing or Loud Dam. Loud Pond - located 20 miles west of Oscoda/Au Sable and 18 miles northwest of Tawas/East Tawas. The access is located at Loud Dam. Five; Channels - located approximately 19-miles west of Oscoda/Au Sable and 16-miles northwest of Tawas/East Tawas between Bissonette Road and River Road. The access is at Five Channels Dam. Cooke Pond - located 15 miles west of Oscoda/Au Sable and 14 miles northwest of Tawas/East Tawas between Bissonette Road and River; Road. Access is at Pine Acres, Sawmill Point and Cooke Dam. Sawmill Point - Located 15 miles west of Oscoda on River Rod. Turn north on Cooke Dam Rd. Foote Pond - located approximately 7 miles west of Oscoda/Au Sable and 14 miles northwest of Tawas/East Tawas between Bissonette and River Roads. Access at Cooke Dam, Foote Site Park. Lower Au Sable Primitive Camping - located on the east stretch of the Au Sable River, west of Oscoda/Au Sable. Access is at Foote Dam or Whirlpool Angler Access.
Nearby
- MONUMENT CAMPGROUND0.2 mi
- River Road Horse Trail Camp4.2 mi
- ROUND LAKE6.7 mi
- Round Lake Recreation Area Campground6.8 mi
- ROLLWAYS CAMPGROUND7.7 mi
- Rollways Recreation Area Campground7.7 mi
- Pine River Recreation Area Campground9.0 mi
- South Branch Horse Campground9.3 mi
No other services within 50 mi on the record.
SourceData from the USFS. Last synced September 18, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
