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Hiawatha/AuTrain Lake
Overview
The Hiawatha/AuTrain Lake Campground offers a quintessential Upper Peninsula experience for those who love the great outdoors. Located within the sprawling Hiawatha National Forest, this rustic destination focuses on the natural beauty and tranquility of Au Train Lake. It is a peaceful retreat where the sounds of the wind through the pines and the gentle lap of the water take center stage, providing a classic camping atmosphere for those seeking to unplug from the modern world and reconnect with nature.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Alger County, the park sits along the shores of the 800-acre Au Train Lake. The surrounding landscape is dominated by dense hardwood and coniferous forests, offering a secluded feel despite being a short drive from the village of Au Train. Its position in the central Upper Peninsula makes it a strategic base for exploring the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior and the vast wilderness of Northern Michigan, providing easy access to sandy beaches and deep forest trails.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest site, the amenities favor a traditional, self-contained camping experience. The park provides spacious, shaded sites tucked away in the trees to ensure privacy for every guest. While full hookups are not available, travelers have access to these essential features:
- Fresh drinking water from a well-maintained hand pump
- Clean vault toilets conveniently located near the campsites
- A paved boat ramp for easy access to the lake
- Individual fire rings and picnic tables at every designated site
These features ensure a comfortable yet authentic stay for those prepared for a rustic adventure.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation defines the surrounding area. Visitors often spend their days paddling the Au Train River, a winding waterway famous for its calm current and stunning forest views. The world-renowned Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is just a short drive to the east, offering massive sandstone cliffs and turquoise waters. Fishing enthusiasts will find the lake well-stocked with walleye, northern pike, and perch, making it a premier angling destination for boaters and shore fishermen alike.
Who This Park Is Best For
This location is ideal for travelers who prefer boondocking or dry camping over modern luxury resorts. It specifically appeals to nature photographers, birdwatchers, and families looking for a true digital detox in the woods. If you value direct lakefront access and proximity to Northern Michigan’s most iconic natural landmarks without the noise of commercial parks, this serene forest setting is a perfect fit for your next Upper Peninsula adventure.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Mark Hachey
Au Train Lake Campground is always a good time. This visit was no different again a great time. The campground host definitely took pride in their efforts. The campground was extremely clean and well kept, the restrooms were fantastic super clean even my Sweetie commented on how clean they were. Thanks for your efforts they were much appreciated and definitely noticeable. It sounded like she was on an adventure so be safe on your venture and have fun.
Amanda Lepisto
The swimming area is to be desired - it's small and overrun with weeds, BUT Lake Superior is less than a 10 minute drive away. We stayed a week camping with family and it was great, bring a fogger for the bugs though. Fishing was great, boat launch area is clean, outhouses are clean, and there are nice walking trails nearby!
Nicole Plastow
We really loved our campsite here. We got a first come first serve site and it was nice. Bathrooms were very clean and had a tiny tree in them to keep them fresh! Whole camp ground was clean and the portable water was always full.
Stacy Massaway
Our campsite was 24 and it was open and well maintained. There is a narrow spot to get into the lake but we preferred to use the boat launch that was a couple sites away. The camp host was nice, made us feel welcome and checked in after the first night. Vaulted toilets were always clean and didn't smell horrible like most. The campground itself was quiet and relaxing, not far from munising, tons of trails and beautiful waterfalls! Love this campground and can't wait to return.
Greg Krueger
Some sites offer nice shade and surrounding trees for privacy. The property is very well maintained including clean vault toilet buildings. Waterfront campsites don't have great frontage for swimming, but there's a beach a short walk away. On Memorial Day weekend 2025 there was no potable water available. The water in the campground was signed unsafe to drink, and the well at the beach was removed altogether a few years ago. Plan ahead and bring your own water in case it's needed. $24/night fee is a bit steep for times that drinking water isn't provided, otherwise I'd recommend without hesitation. A nice hiking trail also runs through the campground.
Becca Birckhead
I LOVED this campground and 10/10 would go back. It's a great location to explore the area, but also to use as a base to have day trips around the UP. If you can score a site that has access/view of the water, awesome, but if not, they are all great spots. Site #29 was a great size, had access to the water and felt kind of magical back there. There are vault toilets (but they are serviced regularly!) and no showers. The Bird Watching Trail on site is lovely and well-maintained with nice informational signage.
Janice Headings
We spent one night here rustic camping. Site was big and level. I was VERY impressed with the outhouse and how clean it was and how it didn't smell terrible! Would definitely recommend this beautiful campground and will return next year.
Julie Rumrill
This campground is in a lovely location, nestled amidst the forest near the lake. Sites are wooded and private and you are serenaded by songbirds. Sal, the campground hostess was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We stayed for three days and loved it!
Chelsea Keria
Husband and I just got back from stay here for two nights. We loved it and can’t wait to return! The hosts were amazing and made us feel very welcome/cared for. The vault toilets were very clean and well maintained. No showers at this park but we had our own with us. Our campsite was very clean when we arrived to setup camp and the hosts make sure each site looks fabulous before new individuals arrive. Lots of chipmunks in camp that were super cute. Sites aren’t to close to one another so you feel separate but together. There is a beach and boat launch near. We went there to chase the northern lights but missed it by a night. 😭 We kayaked Au Train River and stood in the Au Train falls. The bird watch site at camp was amazing as well. Don’t skip out on Pictured Rocks either. Can’t wait for next year so we can return!
Dana VanKlompenberg
We are just leaving our stay at the campground and sad to leave. The campsites near the lake are beautiful. The beach access and boat launch make it easy to get on the water. The beach access was seaweed free and very nice. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest outhouses I've been in. Toni and Brad were great hosts and very friendly. When she saw we were traveling with small kiddos she brought them some glowsticks and other stuff and they loved it! We will definitely be back!