RV Camping Areas

• Au Sable River

  From Mio Pond to Lake Huron, the Au Sable is primarily managed by the HMNF.  The river is managed in two sections, one from Mio Pond to Alcona Dam Pond, the second from Alcona Dam to Lake Huron.

   

  Au Sable National Wild and Scenic River

  

  The Au Sable National Scenic River stretches 23-miles, from Mio to Alcona Pond. For additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.

   

  Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron

  

  This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere.

  Highbanks River Trail

  A short, 7-mile hike along the bluffs of the Au Sable River will provide day hikers with some of the best, and most dramatic, views of the Au Sable River, where hikers or skiers will be able to look over the river valley, with clear views almost to Lake Huron in some spots.

  Lubmerman's Monument Visitor Center and Forest Discovery Trial

  Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop.

  River Road National Scenic Byway

  The twenty-two mile River Road National Scenic Byway extends westward from Lake Huron into the Huron National Forest. It parallels the historic Riviere aux Sable (River of Sand). Lumbermen’s Monument Visitor Center sits at the center of the byway.

   

  Brochures and Maps:

  • Au Sable National Scenic River (pdf)
  • River Road National Scenic Byway (pdf) - this brochure shows River Road, the Au Sable River and Lumberman's Monument

  Flickr Photo Albums:

  • Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
    • Visitor Center
      • Programs
      • Monument Campground
    • River Road National Scenic Byway
      • Iargo Springs
    • Highbanks River Trail
    • Eagle Run Trail
  • Au Sable National Scenic River
• Au Sable National Scenic River

  

  The Au Sable National Scenic River, is a 23-mile portion of the Au Sable River that stretches from Mio to Alcona Pond. President Ronald Reagan signed the law establishing the segment of river as a National Scenic River on October 4, 1984.  By receiving this designation, this free-flowing segment from below Mio Pond to the upper end of Alcona Pond received national recognition for its outstanding and remarkable scenic, recreational, biological and historical values and a national commitment to its protection.  People have enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Au Sable for hundreds of years.

  In pre-European settlement times, Native Americans used the river as a travel route.  After European settlement of the area, the Au Sable River was a major throughway for floating white pine to sawmills or waiting barges at ports on Lake Huron. During those years many of the logs and fallen trees that littered the river were carried downstream with the harvested white pine. In recent years efforts have been made to replace logs in the river to help reduce erosion and maintain the world-class trout fishing river as an aquatic habitat.

  Brochure with map:  This 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.

  Flickr Photo Album

• Au Sable Loop Campground and Day Use Area
• Gabions Campground and Day Use
• Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron

  

  This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere. Its flow of water still serves as an important link in the production of the state's electrical power supply.

  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 printon 8.5x11 paper.

  Flickr Photo Albums:

  • Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
  • Visitor Center and Grounds
    • Programs
  • River Road National Scenic Byway
    • Iargo Springs
  • Highbanks River Trail
  • Eagle Run Trail
• Au Sable River Primitive Camping
• Monument Campground
• River Road National Scenic Byway

  The twenty-two mile River Road National Scenic Byway extends westward from Lake Huron into the Huron National Forest. It parallels the historic Riviere aux Sable (River of Sand). The Au Sable River was a major transportation route for floating Michigan’s giant white pine from forest to the sawmill towns on Lake Huron. You can learn more about this lumbering history at Lumbermen’s Monument Visitor Center that sits at the center of the byway.

  Byway travelers will find abundant recreation opportunities, from motorized trails for off-road vehicles and snowmobiles to quiet trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Camping, fishing and boating facilities are accessible from the byway. For a more relaxed experience, visitors will enjoy the lush forest and breathtaking vistas from the many scenic overlooks along the route. Visit www.byways.org for more information.

  For information on Lumberman's Monument, Monument Campground or the Visitor Center visit the Lumberman's Monument section of the website.

  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 printon 8.5x11 paper.

  Flickr Photo Albums:

  • Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
  • Visitor Center and Grounds
    • Programs
    • Monument Campground
  • River Road National Scenic Byway
    • Iargo Springs
  • Highbanks River Trail
  • Eagle Run Trail
• Rollways Campground and Day Use Area
• Corsair Area
  

  This area contains all recreation sites located near the Corsair Area, located south of the Au Sable River and River Road National Scenic River in the southeast corner of the Huron National Forest. This area includes Corsair Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing Trail, Sand Lake Day Use Area, Round Lake Campground and Tuttle Marsh.

• Round Lake Campground and Day Use Area
• Hoist/Reid Lake Areas

  Recreation areas located near Hoist and Reid Lakes, north of the Au Sable River in the northeast corner of the Huron National Forest.

• Horseshoe Lake Campground and Boat Launch
• Jewell Lake Campground
• Hungerford Recreation Area
• Huron NF OHV Trails

  The Mack Lake and Meadows Trail Systems traverse the western portion of the Huron National Forest, creating a 158.6 mile trail with 13 trailheads.  Two campgrounds, both with trailheads in the campground, are located along this trail system, or visitors can choose one of the many other campgrounds around the forest and trailer their OHV's to one of the trailheads.  A reservation is not needed for these sites, all sites are first come, first served.

  This trail is open to highway legal OHV's 50"  in width.

  The Bull Gap Hill Climb Area is also located in this area.  The hill climb is a sandy hill, 2/10's of a mile long at a 30 - 40% grade.

  The Huron ORV Trail is a 45.4 mile out and back trail located on the eastern portion of the Huron National Forest.  This trail has four trailheads and is located near Oscoda.  This trail is open to highway legal OHV's 50" in width.

  A 30.8 mile stretch of the MCCCT is located in the western portion of the Huron National Forest.  This trail is open to highway legal vehicles 40" in width.

• Mack Lake Motorized Trail System

  As riders travel on this trail they will pass by a variety of scenary types. The trail is mostly on a 0 - 10% grade, with some short sections at a 30% grade. The trail system is marked with orange confidence markers.

  Bull Gap Hill Climb provides a challenge for experienced riders, while the trail section near Maltby Hills is available for trail riders with less experience.

  This trail is shown on the Huron-Manistee National Forests Motor Vehicle Use Map, available in the Maps and Publications section. A map is also located on the MI-DNRE website.

• Mack Lake ORV Campground
• Meadows ORV Complex

  This trail system connects to the Mack Lake Trail System and was developed for vehicles 50 in. or less. As riders travel through the forest they will see a wide variety of scenery types. The trail ranges anywhere from 0 to 10% grades with some short stretches of 30%. Confidence markers are orange triangles.

  This trail is shown on the Huron-Manistee National Forests Motor Vehicle Use Map, available in the Maps and Publications section. A map is also located on the MI-DNRE website.

• Meadows ORV Campground
• Lake Michigan Beach Acess

  The recreation sites in this area are all located on the Lake Michigan shoreline or within driving distance of the lake.

  Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is the only designated wilderness on the Huron-Manistee National Forests.  Adjacent to the wilderness area is the popular Lake Michigan Recreation Area.  Further inland visitors can go to Hoags Lake and enjoy a day of swimming, picnicking or fishing.

• Lake Michigan Recreation Area
• Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River

  

  The Little Manistee River offers many opportunities for steelhead and trout fishing. The river banks are covered with lowland brush, swamp conifers, white pine and a variety of oak. The river has many bends and large logs. Water levels can become fairly shallow during dry summer months. There are a number of dispersed fishing access sites along the river, some of which allow camping.

   

  Map: This brochure is set to print on 8.5x11 paper, landscape (wide) orientation.

• Old Grade Campground
• M-37: White Cloud to Baldwin

  This area covers all recreation areas along M-37 between White Cloud and Baldwin.  This does not include trailheads for the North Country National Scenic Trail or Hungerford Recreation Area.

• Benton Lake Campground
• Brush Lake Campground
• Highbank Lake Campground
• Minnie Pond Campground
• Nichols Lake South Campground
• Timber Creek Campground
• Walkup Lake Campground
• M-55: Manistee to Cadillac

  This section includes all recreation areas along M-55 or a short distance from M-55 located between Cadillac and Manistee, except the Pine and Manistee Rivers.

• Hemlock Campground and Boat Launch
• Marzinski Horse Trail and Campground

  

  The Marzinski Trail Campground is open May 15 to September 12, annually. Reservations are required and can be made on Recreation.gov. 

  The Marzinski Horse Trail and Campground were developed for the horse enthusiasts, who enjoy riding through a forested quiet trail system. The Marzinski Horse Camp serves as the primary access location for the 18 miles of horse trail. The terrain is mostly flat through mixed hardwood and pine forest, marked with blue diamond-shaped markers on trees and cedar signs.

  The campground is located in a pine forest.

  Map (pdf)

  Flickr Album

• Sand Lake Recreation Area
• North Country National Scenic Trail

  

  Did you know that the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) passes through three National Parks, eight National Forests, and one National Grassland?

  The North Country National Scenic Trail is being constructed across federal, state, county and private land.  Upon completion the trail will extend from Crown Point, New York to Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota.  It will be the longest, continuous hiking trail in the United States.

  The 128.8-mile portion of the NCNST that goes through the Manistee portion of the National forests has 15 spur trails to other forest hiking and interpretive trails.

  The NCNST is marked with blue rectangle-shaped blazes.  Connector trails are marked with white rectangle blazes on trees.  For information on the NCNST visit the National Park Service www.nps.gov/noco/index.htm.

   

  Brochure with map:

  • North Country National Scenic Trail
  • Manistee River Trail

  This 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.

   

  Flickr Photo Albums

  • North Country National Scenic Trail
  • Manistee River Trail
• Pere Marquette River

  The Pere Marquette National Scenic River  is a sixty-six mile stretch from the junction of the Middle and Little South Branches east of Baldwin to the Old Highway 31 Bridge.

  The Bowman Lake Special Area is 1,100 acres and has both the Pere Marquette and North Country National Scenic Trail going through it.

  Whelan Lake Special Area is a 2,800 acre area located near the south branch of the Pere Marquette River.

• Pere Marquette National Scenic River

  In July 1978 the Pere Marquette River and its major tributaries were designated a Michigan Natural River by the State of Michigan. This same year the river was added as a National Wild and Scenic River, the first in Michigan.  The scenic portion of the river is a sixty-six mile stretch from the junction of the Middle and Little South Branches east of Baldwin to the Old Highway 31 Bridge.  The Natural River designation includes the main stem and major tributaries.

  Brochure with Map: This 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.

  Flickr Photo Album

  Click here for additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.

• Bowman Bridge Campground and River Access
• Claybanks Campground
• Sulak Campground
• Pine National Scenic River

  

  The lower 26-miles of the Pine River was designated a National Scenic River in 1992. The Pine River provides a unique recreation experience for lower Michigan, supporting quality opportunities for a diversity of recreation activities in a relatively undeveloped setting. Canoeing and kayaking are the primary activities on this river, with much of the appeal being the fast water and light rapids. It is a designated "Blue Ribbon" cold-water trout stream, with fishing being the second most popular activity on the river. The Pine River has the fastest average flow of any river in lower Michigan.

  Scenery is one of the most outstanding attributes of the river. The designated portion of the river contains a unique riparian landform with its deeply incised river channel and high, exposed sand banks. Diverse vegetation contributes to the overall "scenic" feel of the river. Tree species vary from cedar-hemlock, ash, elm, sugar and red maple, and basswood in the lowland portions to mixed oak, pine and aspen in the upland areas. There are small openings scattered throughout the corridor that provide habitat diversity for many species of wildlife.

  Brochure with Map: This 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.

  Flickr Photo Album

  Click here for additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.

• Peterson Bridge South Campground
• Shore-to-Shore State Horse Trail

  

  The 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. 112 miles of trail run through the Huron portion of the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

• Luzerne Horse Trail Campground and Trailhead
• McKinley Horse Trail Campground
• South Branch Trail Campground and Trailhead
• South Branch Pine River

  This river is not navigable for canoeing or boating, however it is an excellent river for cold-water fishing.

• Pine River Campground

  This is a popular campground during fishing season. Recreation opportunities include hunting, picnicking, mushroom gathering and berry picking. The picnic shelter is a Civilian Conservation Corps construction from the mid 1940's.

• Wagner Lake Area

  This section contains information on the sites located in the southern section of the Huron National Forest. 

• Island Lake Campground
• Wagner Lake Campground
• Wakeley Lake Area

  Recreation areas near the Wakeley Lake.  This is the section of the Huron National Forest furthest west, and most sites are located along or north of M-72. 

• Kneff Lake Campground
• White River

  

  Three sections of the White River are currently being study for inclusion as a National Scenic River. Currently the White River is designated Scenic by the State of Michigan.

  The White River is characterized by a primarily sand bottom with deep pockets of water and small sections of gravel bottom.  Paddlers find the river to be a steady and moderate float, with a meandering course.

  The forest on either side of the river is primarily stands of oak, maple and aspen hardwoods mixed with red and white pine.

  Wildlife abounds and fishing is a popular activity.  A large portion of the river flows through the White River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area.

• Diamond Point
• Pines Point