Northeast Lower Michigan: Rifle River Recreation Area

September 2020, weekend - weekday, 3-nights, campsite 153

We previously stayed in Rifle River Recreation Area in September 2019. You can find more information about this recreation area in that post, and there are photos in the Rifle River Facebook album. I am sharing a few more photos and additional information here.

Sunset from campsite 153; fire pit is on site 152

Ranch campground, primitive site 153

After staying on sites 152 and 153, we have decided we prefer campsite 152. Although site 153 seems a bit more private located on the corner, site 152 is sunnier and grassier, which we like when camping in the spring and fall. 

Slight incline from campsite 153 to river

Both campsites have access to the river. They are primitive sites, and we think they are two of the best campsites in this park. A hand water pump is located on the other side of site 152. I am sharing a few more campsite photos for reference. 

Photo above: view from fire pit on our site toward river
Photo below shows campsites 152 & 153

Northeast Lower Michigan: Rifle River Recreation Area

September 2019, Weekend, 2-nights, Primitive campsite #152

Additional photos and information about the recreation area can be found in my Facebook album.

Sign along the road after check-in

Advance reservations and arrival

Rifle River Recreation is 4,449 acres located within the AuSable State Forest. The recreation area includes seven lakes, three ponds, seven miles of trout streams, and four separate campgrounds. Since this was our first visit, choosing a campsite was not an easy task! Grousehaven is the only section with electricity, and this is the campground we initially considered. We have a 35' fifth wheel, which is quite tall, sometimes making it difficult to camp in primitive campgrounds with narrower roads and low branches. After a bit more research, I decided we would not have any trouble getting to any of the campgrounds. We reserved site 152, which is a primitive site in Ranch campground, and hoped for the best. When we arrived to check-in, the representative said we had a fabulous site. It is about three miles to Ranch campground from the entrance on a winding dirt road, so it takes a bit of time to get there pulling a trailer.

Ranch campsite 152.

Ranch campsite 152

This site is spacious and grassy; we loved it! I actually thought all of the campsites in Ranch campground were great. The sites that are not on the river were also grassy and somewhat private.

Ranch campsite 152.
Chairs in the distance are on campsite 153.