Au Train Lake Campground
Located at the south end of AuTrain Lake, this campground is favored by anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The quiet setting is great for family trips, and visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities year-round, all less than a day's drive from major urban areas of Michigan and Wisconsin.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Michigan · reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 33 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
33 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 011 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | 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 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers dozens of large, wooded campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A boat ramp is available at the parking area of the campground, and the lot offers plenty of space for turning and parking. Boat rentals are available in AuTrain.
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 15 to September 30 |
| Forest | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Booking | Some of the sites at Au Train Lake are reservable. |
| Fees | Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22 Double family, per 2 camp units, per night $44 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
AuTrain Lake Campground is located in Alger County, about 10 miles southwest of Munising. From AuTrain, travel south on Forest Service Road H03 for about 4 miles, then go a mile east on Forest Road 2276, and then another mile north on Forest Service Road 2596 to the campground. The road splits at the end.
| Nearest town | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.3917° N, 86.8381° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireRidge
40 mi from the campground · 466 acres · 30% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 43.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Au Train Beach Campground review
Worth a stop
The city of AuTrain, located on the shores of Lake Superior, is about 5 miles from the campground.
- 10.4 miMunising Falls Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miAutrain Songbird Interp2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miAutrain River Canoe Route ↗10.2 mi trail · paddle
- 1.9 miChatham Snomo ↗21 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2 miNct Ackerman Connector Trail3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miChristmas Snomo1.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4 miCoalwood Grade ATV ↗17.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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 Hiawatha National Forest.
- inHiawatha National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,300,321 acres
- 4.3 miRock River Canyon Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,724 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Paulson HouseBuilding · AuTrain · 1.2 mi
- M-94 (old)–Au Train River BridgeStructure · Au Train Township · 2.9 mi
- Bay FurnaceStructure · Christmas · 7.1 mi
Natural features
AuTrain Lake is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan, between three of the Great Lakes. It sits amid rolling hills forested with pine and aspen trees, as well as large open and tree-covered wetlands.
Recreation
The large size of the lake provides miles of prime water skiing, boating, swimming and fishing. Anglers can expect a healthy catch of bass and a variety of perch. Canoeing is also popular on AuTrain Lake and the nearby AuTrain River, which meanders into Lake Superior. The campground also provides access to the popular two-mile Songbird interpretive trail, which winds through forest and field, along bog and lakeshore, and is popular for birding. A wildlife viewing platform is available at neighboring Buck Bay and Buck Bay Creek.
Guidebooks for Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Field Guide Hiawatha National Forest Ecological Classification SystemGreg Kudray, 2019Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Au Train Lake Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Au Train Lake Campground?
Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22 Double family, per 2 camp units, per night $44 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Au Train Lake Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Au Train Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to September 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Au Train Lake Campground have?
34 sites, including 33 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Au Train Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Au Train Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Au Train Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Au Train Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Au Train Lake Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Au Train Lake Campground?
The large size of the lake provides miles of prime water skiing, boating, swimming and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Au Train Lake Campground?
Munising, Michigan. The city of AuTrain, located on the shores of Lake Superior, is about 5 miles from the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Au Train Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bay Furnace Campground (7 mi, partly first-come), Grand Island National Recreation Area (9 mi), and Hovey Lake Campsites (9.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby