Au Sable Loop Campground
Huron-Manistee National Forests — riverside, fishing
Location: Mio, MI, MI
Price: From $10 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (7 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/au-sable-loop-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Au Sable Loop offers scenic riverside camping in a mixed hardwood forest with direct access to the National Scenic portion of the Au Sable River. The small 5-site campground provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, and paddling activities in a remote setting.
Wildlife alert: Kirtland's Warbler observed in the area—a rare species. Also watch for North American Porcupines and Common Raccoons around campsites.
Insider tips for Au Sable Loop Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 5 sites and high demand during peak season Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; there are no hookups available Access the unpaved Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook road before entering the campground for panoramic river views
Skip Au Sable Loop Campground if: You need RV hookups (water, electric, sewer)—none are available here. You want year-round camping—seasonal operations May through October only. You prefer larger campgrounds—only 5 sites total limits availability.
Best time to visit Au Sable Loop Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during this period only, as stated in verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: Ausable River Camping (OSCODA, MI), Mack Lake Orv Campground (Mio, MI), Wagner Lake (Mi) (Mio, MI), Chimney Loop Campground (Mio, MI).
Cell Phone Coverage at Au Sable Loop Campground
Cell signal at Au Sable Loop Campground (Mio, MI): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 5 sites and high demand during peak season
Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; there are no hookups available
Access the unpaved Au Sable Loop Scenic Overlook road before entering the campground for panoramic river views
Campground operates seasonally during this period only, as stated in verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Turn left and go north on M-72/M-33 for .5 miles. Turn right and go east on McKinley Rd. for 3 miles. Turn right and follow the signs to the site.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Huron-Manistee National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Huron-Manistee National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Au Sable Loop Campground cost per night?+
What season is Au Sable Loop Campground open?+
Does Au Sable Loop Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Au Sable Loop Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Au Sable Loop Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Au Sable Loop Campground?+
What season is Au Sable Loop Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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