State Forest · Michigan
Parmalee Bridge State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Season
- April 15 to December 1
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Elevation
- 1,043 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · AT&T good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 989-473-2258
About
Escape to this secluded, rustic campground nestled along the Au Sable River, a haven for paddlers and anglers. A spacious, sun-drenched picnic area separates the campsites from the river, perfect for riverside lunches. Convenient amenities include a centrally located hand-pump well and dumpster. A gravel-and-sand boat launch provides easy river access. The campground is divided into two distinct areas, including:
Campground: Seven shaded campsites, tucked beneath towering red pines.
Group site: A paddle-in campsite on the west side features four fire pits and six picnic tables.
The campground is located 10 miles west of Mio via M-72 West, Mapes Road, Brown Cabin Road, Deeter Road and North Red Oak Road.
None rustic campsites, $20 a night. Closed December 1 to April 15. First come, first served; register at the campground kiosk on the day you arrive. Vault toilets and a hand-pump well for drinking water; no electricity or hookups. One camping unit and six people per site, 15 nights at most. Managed from Rifle River Recreation Area (989-473-2258).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 10° | -12° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 12° | -15° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 23° | 5° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 53° | 33° | 10° | 81° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 66° | 45° | 27° | 83° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 54° | 42° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 62° | 53° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 60° | 52° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 72° | 55° | 42° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 42° | 29° | 75° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 30° | 6° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 21° | -1° | 59° | 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
- Muskrat Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 6 mi · 13 sites
- Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground · State Forest · 6 mi · 7 sites
- Mio Pond State Forest Campground · State Forest · 7 mi · 24 sites
- Mio Pond County Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 8 mi
- Meadows ORV Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 13 sites
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.