Au Train, Michigan: Au Train Lake USDA Forest Service Campground in the Upper Peninsula

September 2024, 1 night, weeknight, campsite 22

Sign posted at the entrance to Au Train Lake Campground September 2024

Arrival experience

As we were driving to this campground, we were hoping it was still open, because the information online was unclear. Information on the recreation.gov site sounded like it might be closing the day we were arriving, although it did not state this for sure. Later, we learned that the information on the USDA Forest site would have been more helpful, since that site clearly stated the closing date. When we arrived, a sign on the post stated that the campground was closing October 1st. The host campsite was already vacated for the season. Although we have seen the host campsite available at other campgrounds after the host departs, it was roped off at this campground, so no one could rent it.

Campsite 22 in Au Train Lake Campground

Campsite 22

At the time of our stay, all of the sites were first come, first serve, except campsites that had been reserved far in advance. There were reserved tags on those sites. We were only staying one night, and chose campsite 22, which was spacious enough and level enough that we did not need to unhook our trailer. 

Campsite 22 in Au Train Lake Campground
View from the road and from the lake behind the site

This is a great campsite on the lake, and it has trees around the perimeter. This site is always FCFS, even during peak season. We thought most of the campsites in this campground were great. Most of them are spacious, private, and level. 

Songbird Trail in Au Train Lake Campground

Recreation: hiking, boating, birding, picnic area

There is a scenic hiking trail in the campground called Songbird Trail. The hike from our campsite was just over 2 miles. The trail passes a bog, and it runs along Buck Bay Creek for a short distance. We passed two benches on the trail.  

Observation platform in Au Train Lake Campground

There is an observation platform less than ¼ mile from the trail start. It overlooks Au Train Lake and the swampy/bog area where the creek flows in. A nice concrete boat ramp and a picnic area are located at the west end of the campground. 

Songbird Trail in Au Train Lake Campground

Misc. and overall

I am sharing a couple more photos from our hike on Songbird Trail. We enjoyed our stay in this peaceful campground. The nightly rate with our senior pass was $12 a night. All of the sites, except the host site, are primitive campsites. Two water faucets are available on the center campground road, which can be used with a hose to fill a water tank. Although this campground does not have a sanitation station, a sign in the park stated that campers can use the dump station in Bay Furnace Campground for no charge. Bay Furnace Campground is about 20 minutes away. The road back into that campground is very rough with many potholes. We camped in Bay Furnace Campground after we left this park, so I will be providing more details about that campground in my next post.

Let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to share this post for others!