Au Sable Area

Free camping

Dispersed camping area · USDA Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests Fees: No Fee Along the Au Sable River is the Au Sable Special Area, a 10,628 acre area characterized by flat to gently rolling hills with some steep banks along the Au Sable River. This area is located in Iosco and Alcona counties. The Au Sable Special Area stretches the southern end of Alcona Dam Pond (Bamfield Road) to just before Cook Pond on either side of the river. The area is densely forested and inhabited by bald eagles, deer, bear, bobcat, porcupine and various songbirds. Campers and day-use visitors enjoy boating, tubing, rafting, canoeing and fishing on the Au Sable River. Other popular recreation activities include viewing the river and wildlife, hiking, swimming, picnicking, horseback riding, hunting, trapping and berry and mushroom gathering. The Forest Service requires camping permits from May 15 through September 30 at the 19 designated primitive campsites along the river in this… Rules: As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. Applicable Orders - - Motorized… Official page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18778 Source: USDA Forest Service. Fees and seasons change; check the official page before you go.

Official information from the managing agency. Fees, seasons and closures change; check before you go.

Camp spots nearby

Horseshoe Lake Campground and Boat LaunchPaid or permit campsite
Gabions CampgroundPaid or permit campsite
South Branch Trail Camp Group SitePaid or permit campsite
South Branch Trail Campground and TrailheadPaid or permit campsite
Rollways CampgroundPaid or permit campsite
Bear Island CampgroundFree camping
Buttercup CampgroundFree camping
Pine River CampgroundPaid or permit campsite

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