Au Sable Loop Campground

$10.00/night

Show on map 989-826-3252 sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov

Mio Ranger Station, 107 McKinley Road
Mio, MI 48647

Notice

1/2

The water at our facility has been shutoff for the winter season. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.

Sep 30, 2026 – Dec 1, 2026

Overview

As visitors exit McKinley Road to enter the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook, they will first see a panoramic vista of the National Scenic portion of the Au Sable River. From the Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook follow the unpaved road to reach the campground. The small five site campground is set amidst a mixed hardwood forest. The campground and day use areas are ideal for scenery viewing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.

Recreation

Water Activities: The Au Sable Loop Campground provides forest visitors with a variety of water activities. Access to the Au Sable River is afforded by a short path from the campground. Anglers can boat, wade, and fish from shore. Fish species found in the Au Sable River include bass, pike, brown trout, walleye, perch, sunfish, steelhead, and salmon. The water flows at a speed of 2 mph. The Au Sable River provides opportunities for non-motorized boating using watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts. Watercraft can be rented in Mio at Hinchman’s Acres Resort or at Alcona Canoe Rental in Glennie.
Hiking: Along the north side of the river is the 0.5 mile Mio Nature Trail with a trailhead located in the Mio Ranger Station parking lot. Along the south side of the river is the 4.5 mile Wolf Creek Trail . The trailhead for Wolf Creek is on the lefthand side 1 mile west of Mio down South River road. Both trails provide views of the Au Sable River and are appropriate for a variety of skill levels.

Facilities

The Au Sable Loop Campground provides a handpump well for drinking water, a vault toilet, and trash collection services. Campsites provide users with picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.

Natural Features

Located near the banks of the National Scenic Au Sable River, this campground is a haven for water based recreation. An exemplary setting for wildlife viewing, visitors and campers will see a melding of habitats as the river turns to forest and then to field. The area is inhabited by bald eagles, deer, bear, bobcat, porcupine, various songbirds, and waterfowl. Please respect wildlife and observe from a distance.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (989) 826-3252.

Charges & Cancellations

All reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.

Camp site features

Across 5 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 5 sites
Longest RV: 99 ft
Largest party: 8 people

Directions

From Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Turn left and go north on M-72/M-33 for .5 miles. Turn right and go east on McKinley Rd. for 3 miles. Turn right and follow the signs to the site.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

11 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

Tamara L

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Reviewed 2 months ago

Loved being so close to the river. Would make a wonderful base camp to paddle the Au Sable River.

Anthony D

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Reviewed 3 months ago

totally maxxed out with the boys here. neighbors were chill too

Beth C

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Reviewed 5 months ago

Very cute campground we didn't get to spend a lot of time here but there was a displaying American Woodcock that was a highlight of the trip for us.

Amy H

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Reviewed 6 months ago

We called before we made reservation to make sure our 32Ft trailer could fit and we did, but it was very tight. We were in site 1 and I think that is the only one we could have fit in, and the turn around loop was tight we would not have wanted to be any bigger. The campground was beautiful and quiet, lots of birds which was great. it was close to the ranger station for the Kirtland's warbler tour the next morning. The road in was extremely rough. We would come again.

Cortney H

Loop:Au Sable Loop

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Reviewed a year ago

What a cute little campground tucked away from the city of Mio. There are multiple places to get to the river. I appreciated having trash and the pit toilet. There was always toilet paper in there which was a bonus. Nice large sites too!

Bruce T

Loop:Au Sable Loop

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Reviewed a year ago

Camping site was very short. Also noticed a lot of dead trees that could fall during high winds.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve