Gabions Campground
Gabions Campground offers camping on the National Scenic stretch of the Au Sable River. Natural springs are common on this section of the river, including a small one at the river's edge near the gabions. Gabions are rock-filled wire baskets that are placed along the riverbank to help reduce erosion. Wildlife and waterfowl viewing opportunities exist; please respect wildlife and observe from a distance.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 7 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
Site guide
7 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 99 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 2 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Back-in | 75 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | 30 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 7 | Back-in | 99 | Gravel | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Amenities available include a vault toilet and trash collection. There is no water provided in the campground. Campsites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 1 to November 30 |
| Forest | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Fees | Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Day Use - Day: $5.00. Week: $15.00. Camping - Per Night: $10.00 |
| 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the South on M33. Turn East onto Curtisville Road and stay on it for approximately 15.5 miles. (Note the name of the road will change to: Au Sable Valley River Rd and then Au Sable River Rd.). Turn Left (north) onto Brodie Road. Follow the signs to the campground. From Mio via McKinley Road.
| Nearest town | Mio, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44.6210° N, 83.8471° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The Shore-to-Shore Trail passes near the campground; however, Gabions is not a designated horse camp and horse camping is not permitted.
- Hikers should be aware this is not a loop trail.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 14.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Rose City RV Center ↗ | 20.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Lincoln Outdoors ↗ | 21.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miAlcona ATV Trail ↗29.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.4 miHoist, 10-1-5 Byron Lake Spur2.6 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 2.4 miHoist, 6-7 West Park Spur0.9 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 2.6 miOscoda Smt McKinley Dnr965 ↗16.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.8 miHoist, 11-12 No Name Lake Spur1.3 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 3.5 miAlcona Pond Spur0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.4 miHoist Lake Area ↗Huron-Manistee National Forests
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Huron-Manistee National Forest.
- inHuron-Manistee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,028,484 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Oscoda County CourthouseBuilding · Mio · 13.6 mi
Natural features
The Au Sable River is a short walk from the campground where visitors can experience world class fishing and floating opportunities. Each site is shaded by a mixed forest of hardwoods, red pines, and jack pine.
Recreation
- Water Activites: Anglers can boat, wade, and fish from shore. Fish species found in the Au Sable River include bass, pike, brown trout, walleye, perch, sunfish, steelhead, and salmon. The water flows at a speed of 2 mph. The Au Sable River provides opportunities for non-motorized boating using watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts. 4001 Canoe Access is a short drive and provides developed a
- Hiking: Visitors can walk the Shore-to-Shore Horse Trail which passes through the campground. This trail is open to hiking and horseback riding. Hikers should be aware this is not a loop trail. Additionally, hikers can drive southwest on Au Sable River road to reach the Ruffed Grouse trail head for a short leasurely 0.6 mile loop through the forest.
- OHV Riding: An OHV trail utilizes Au Sable River road at the mouth of the campground road. Taking the trail to the east will connect riders to the Alcona ATV Trail and taking the trail to the west will connect riders to the Mack Lake Motorized Trail System and the Bull Gap Hill Climb Area. Additionally, a large majority of Forest Service roads are open to OHV use.
Guidebooks for Michigan
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Gabions Campground?
Sites at Gabions Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Gabions Campground?
Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Day Use - Day: $5.00. Week: $15.00. Camping - Per Night: $10.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Gabions Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Gabions Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 1 to November 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Gabions Campground have?
8 sites, including 7 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Gabions Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Gabions Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Gabions Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Gabions Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 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.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Gabions Campground?
Water Activites: Anglers can boat, wade, and fish from shore. Fish species found in the Au Sable River include bass, pike, brown trout, walleye, perch, sunfish, steelhead, and salmon. The water flows at a speed of 2 mph. The Au Sable River provides opportunities for non-motorized boating using water
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Gabions Campground?
Mio, Michigan.
Source: Getting there
What if Gabions Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bear Island Campground (2.5 mi, first-come), Buttercup Campground (3.6 mi, first-come), and Horseshoe Lake Campground and Boat Launch (4.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby