USDA Forest Service · Michigan
Au Sable Loop Campground
USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 5
- Hookups
- 5 with water, 5 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to November 30
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 948 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- AUSABLE LOOP (NFSR 4366) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Huron-Manistee National Forests
- Nearest town
- Mio
- Address
- Mio Ranger Station, Mio, MI, 48647
- Phone
- 989-826-3252
- Activities
- Birding, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddling, Tubing, Water Access, Wildlife Viewing
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 10° | -12° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 12° | -15° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 24° | 4° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 54° | 33° | 11° | 82° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 67° | 45° | 27° | 84° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 54° | 43° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 61° | 53° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 59° | 52° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 55° | 43° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 56° | 42° | 29° | 76° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 30° | 7° | 62° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 22° | 1° | 60° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Ausable River Camping · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 102 sites
- Mio Pond County Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 2 mi
- Mio Pond State Forest Campground · State Forest · 2 mi · 24 sites
- Mack Lake ORV Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 42 sites
- Wagner Lake (MI) · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 12 sites
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-30. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.