Huron- Manistee National Forest- Au Sable River Camping and Kayaking

Michigan’s Au Sable River is one of the best rivers in the country for trout fishing, bird watching and family friendly kayaking and canoeing. The gentle meandering curves, steady flow, and varying scenery make it a must do experience for any outdoorsy family traveling in Michigan.

Nestled in the heart of the Huron National Forest is one of the best segments of the river, south of Mio and ending at the 4001 bridge right before the Alcona Dam Pond near Glennie.

I had the chance to do a solo camping trip here in July and even in the peak summer if you get out on the river early enough, you will be traveling solo. Well, at least there will not be too many other humans on the river. Instead, I was accompanied by many other companions- grouse tucked into the overhanging weed beds, the ripple of a rainbow trout claiming its meal, an otter speeding across the river in front of me, a doe and her fawn drinking from the pristine river.

It was as if all of creation was guiding me along the ancient glacial pathways carved across time, oblivious to any notion of the outside world reminding me that in this moment the only thing that mattered was this river, this moment.

Au Sable River in Michigan’s Huron-Manistee National Forest

It is what I needed. To be connected on a deep level to the marrow of existence itself. To be reminded that one is never alone, that this earth is abundant with the living and with the echoes of the dead who are fated to return gently to the source of creation itself in the end and to appreciate the beauty along the way.

There are several little campgrounds along this stretch of the river, designed to be accessed both from the river itself or from land. The Gabions, is one of these campgrounds. Named for the wire baskets of rocks that are used for erosion control, this primitive campsite has large, shady sites and easy access to the Shore to Shore Hiking/Riding Trail and to the river itself.

Gabions Campground in the Huron- Manistee National Forest. My trusty Diamondback bike and Kelty tent.

Sitting by the banks of the Au Sable River watching the full moon rise, the eerie call of the loon fading in the distance was a fitting lullaby following a long day of kayaking and bike riding through the gravel roads and sandy two tracks of the Huron National Forest.

The chill northern Michigan air greeted me in the morning as I lit up the camp stove for coffee and oatmeal. There was no sound but that of the water boiling in the kettle and the breeze whispering through the pine trees.

Sunrise along Michigan’s Au Sable River

It was the rapturous symphony of a perfect summer morning in Michigan’s north woods welcoming home.

Again.