State Forest · Michigan
Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 7
- Hookups
- 7 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Elevation
- 1,066 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 989-348-7068
About
This rustic campground sits along the picturesque shore of the Au Sable River. The campground offers excellent opportunities for trout fishing. Paddlers can easily access the river and use a group camping area. There are 7 sites for tent and small trailer use.
The campground is located 15 miles east of Grayling via M-72, McMasters Bridge and Conners Flat.
7 rustic campsites, $20 a night. Open all year; the road may not be plowed in winter. 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 Hartwick Pines State Park (989-348-7068).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 11° | -12° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 12° | -15° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 23° | 5° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 53° | 33° | 10° | 81° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 67° | 45° | 27° | 83° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 54° | 43° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 62° | 53° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 60° | 53° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 72° | 55° | 42° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 42° | 30° | 75° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 30° | 6° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 21° | -4° | 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
- White Pine Canoe Camp (canoe access only) · State Forest · 3 mi · 5 sites
- Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp · State Forest · 5 mi · 45 sites
- Wakeley Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 6 sites
- Parmalee Bridge State Forest Campground · State Forest · 6 mi
- Walsh Road Equestrian Trail State Forest Campground & Trail Camp · State Forest · 8 mi · 9 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.