Ausable River Camping

The site was nice & clean. The DNR did make our experience not so enjoyable. The first time they stopped by our camp they were nice and went over where we can ride our ATV as we did not know the trail behind our camp was a hiking trail only. The sites we have visited in the past had ORV trails right there. We figured this one was the same. The second visit from the DNR was what made us ultimately decide we will not be camping near or in Oscoda again. The second DNR said he was stopping by to give us a map of ORV trails and talk to us again about not riding on the hiking trail. (We had not even started the engine since the first visit and had it stored by our camper. We go to sites like this often and have no problem following the rules.) As he is talking to us he mentions he really stopped by to talk to us because the other DNR staff were talking about us that morning and he just wanted to stop by and check everything out. I felt so embarrassed and didn’t know what to say. We already felt bad about riding on the wrong trails in the first place. After this experience we will be sticking to sites have have previously been near Glennie as we have always had a great experience.

We have been coming here six years in a row. The site is excellent, very large and has staircase leading down to the river. You will get the occasional dirtbike or 4x4 since the site entrance is directly off an ORV trail, but they usually do not stop to bother. Some locals will come by and use the stair access to fish or launch kyaks but we've never had an issue. Will be coming back next year!

Beautiful area and lovely campsites.

Great experience only thing I would suggest is better description of Huron/Manistee campsite 41c. When you paddle in there is another site on the south end of the island that people have begun to use because there is not mention that the marked site is on the east side.

I was pretty disappointed in the campsite. I know it is rustic, but the hike up & down the hill to the river was horrible. No one could do that unless they were in extremely good shape, more than once or twice a day. There was a ton of poison ivy surrounding the sandy site. Lastly, my site had a lot of trash right in a main walkway that looked like where the firepit was always emptied. Lots of small, sharp pieces of broken bottles in the pile, and here and there in the sand on the site (082D), the site next to us, where my family stayed had a lot of trash left behind. I will not go back to these sites. Also, the site needs much better photos and descriptions of campsites.

I love the Alcona primitive camps along the AuSable River. I love the fact that they are very secluded and separated from each other. I was not able to use the boat only camps that I had reserved but home to next year. I would very much like to reserve a different camp next year.

Campsite 30c is a nice place to stay. The climb was difficult up the high bank.

The site is nice, that’s undeniable. A few steep trails lead down to the water, but some gorgeous views especially during sunset and a great view straight up from around the fire if you are looking to stargaze. The unfortunate portion of this site is that there is a small cove just down one of the trails, and two of our three days we had unwelcome groups tromp through (or park their ATVs 10 feet from) the campsite site to head down (and back!) with coolers in hand blasting from Bluetooth speakers. This site used to be incredibly private, which is exactly why I pay to reserve it and it really sucked to have our vacation disturbed multiple times over. If you’re looking for rustic camping with a side of visitors, this might be for you. But we won’t be booking this area again.

Very good

Awesome place to camp!!

I have been going there since I was a kid before the national forest took it on. I am so happy that the younger generation is able to experience the same places in the northern Michigan that I grew up in and love so much !!!