Gabions Campground and Day Use
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Gabions Campground and Day Use
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. The Shore-to-Shore Trail passes near the campground; however, Gabions is not a designated horse camp and horse camping is not permitted. Wildlife and waterfowl viewing opportunities exist; please respect wildlife and observe from a distance. Brochure with map : This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. Flickr Photo Album
Before you go
Season
May 1 – November 30
Fees
Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Day Use - • Day: $5.00 • Week: $15.00 Camping - • Per Night: $10.00
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted. Forest quiet hours apply.
Restrictions
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. Applicable Orders - • Au Sable National Scenic River Corridor; R904-14-18 • Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02 • Occupancy and Use; R904-14-03 Highlights - Camping is prohibited, except at designated campgrounds or campsites.
Accessibility
Restroom facilities are accessible. • One site has a tent pad. • Path to river is narrow, hard-packed earth.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.