Are you the owner for this storage? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Old Orchard Campground
Overview
Old Orchard Campground is one of the largest campgrounds in the Midwest, offering a scenic retreat along the banks of the Au Sable River. Spanning over 500 acres, this park provides a blend of traditional camping and modern convenience. It is managed by Iosco County and is well-known for its expansive waterfront views and wooded surroundings. Whether you are seeking a peaceful escape or a base for outdoor adventure, the park offers a classic Michigan camping experience.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just a few miles west of downtown Oscoda, the campground sits on the Foote Site Pond, a large reservoir created by the Foote Dam. The area is surrounded by the Huron-Manistee National Forests, providing a dense canopy of trees and diverse wildlife. The proximity to the river creates a tranquil atmosphere where the sound of water and wind through the pines defines the landscape. It serves as a perfect gateway to Northeastern Michigan’s natural beauty.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features over 500 campsites, ranging from primitive spots to those with electric hookups. Visitors have access to multiple boat launches, a designated swimming beach, and several playgrounds for children. Practical needs are met with a well-stocked camp store and multiple bathhouses located throughout the grounds. For those traveling in larger rigs, the park provides spacious sites that can accommodate a variety of RV sizes while maintaining a sense of privacy.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless activities near the campground. You can explore the Highbanks Trail for stunning views of the river valley or visit the Lumberman's Monument to learn about local history. The Au Sable River is a premier destination for paddling and fishing, particularly for trout and walleye. Additionally, the nearby Lake Huron shoreline offers sandy beaches and lighthouses, making it easy to enjoy both river and lake adventures in a single trip.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy a high-energy, community-focused environment. Its vast size and variety of sites make it a great choice for group camping or multi-generational trips. It is especially suited for boaters and anglers who want direct access to the water. If you appreciate a rustic atmosphere that still offers essential utilities and a beautiful natural backdrop, this Oscoda gem will likely fit your travel style.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Pat Vargas
Seasonal camping is great here. Plenty of things to do in the area. Going to miss the Ausable River Queen RIP.. Showers are clean and water is hot. Ice cream is big portioned and always flavorful! Small Beach area in the park but it is in the Sun and always fun! City of Oscoda is about 10 minutes away for any Essentials needed not available inside the park. See you next year!
Brian Hoort
Great campground, beautiful views, great water. A must see stop for any MI campground visitor.
Tammy Cooper
Large campground for rv's, and tents. The also have yurts and cabins to rent. The lots are spacious our lot was mostly dirt with a small patch of grass. We just started a campfire anywhere because there wasn't a marked area for a camp fire. There wasn't a rim, rocks or a dug pit for the camp fire. It looked like people were just making a campfire wherever they wanted, because there were piles of ashes all over which was messy. The kids and dogs made a mess with the random ash piles. They have a nice little store and they sell most things you might need camping. The store has Hudsonville ice cream, the also sell firewood. They have activities on some days. They also rent pontoon, jet skis, bikes and other things. Many sites have a view of the water. Paved roads are nice, beach was small but nice.
Angelo Schettini
After primitive camping I booked a week at Old Orchard,if you like a more busy louder campground it's right up your alley,I did have a good experience and met some new friends but I prefer more sanctuary
Sarah
While this is one of our favorite campgrounds I feel I still need to make a few comments about my recent stay. I couldn’t hook my water up because there was already 10 hoses hooked into one tap when addressed issue with campground they said just figure it out. Not having water means we had to use the bathrooms in the park instead of our camper 🤮 we stayed 4 days no matter what time of day or night we went to the bathroom or shower they were absolutely disgusting feminine hygiene products laying all over floor, hair clinging all over walls, one shower had zero hot water at all. It was disappointing to see especially since you have to pay for the showers I at least want something that I feel clean coming out of instead of dirtier. I hope this review brings cleaning bathrooms to top priority I understand the campground is big and it’s hard to keep up but even after they were just cleaned they weren’t actually clean at all
Christine Kamischke
Great place to enjoy. The bathroom is clean. Beach is sandy and nice. The only thing is that some sites have stumps in places that make it hard to park your camper. You also need a few electrical cords to get the box and water hose. There are no fire rings, so that is a plus or minus.
Dana Bonn
This campground has beautiful views of the lake. There’s tons on trees though out the campground and in most the of campsites. Which could make it tricky for people to pull campers in and out. The bathrooms were not the best. People trash them so badly throughout the day. You have to pay .50 (you purchase coins at the camp store) for 5 minutes of shower time. The water for the showers in bath house one is so hot that it’s uncomfortable to even use, it would have burned my kids skin. I had to drive to the back bath house just to let my kids take a shower, which is a bit of a hike to get back there from the front. The water hookup at weird, have to have splitter for everyone to use the water. Definitely a huge campground tho. Over all we had fun.
Amy Hull
Went here growing up since I was very young. Now that I have my own family I'm grateful to share a great experience with them. We rented a yurt and left the camper behind and towed the boat instead. Lots of good fishing and fun traveling around the river. All around great experience. Even my teenager didn't want to leave.
Nyx Hazen
Pet friendly. Seasonal sites available. Water and electric hookups included with sites. Bathhouses are pretty clean and costs 25¢ for 2 minutes for showers. There is a small general store on the grounds for ice, firewood, groceries etc. Well kept beach and large campsites. They have multiple boat launches and areas to dock. Beaches are not pet friendly but there are access points to the water for your pups and poo bag stations throughout the grounds. I have Sprint/T-Mobile and had full bars with 5G the whole time but other carriers did not have service at all. Wifi is available for extra through their website.
Heather Elizabeth
Our new favorite camping spot. Or site was conveniently located right across the playground and the bathroom. With a path to the lake. We will be back next year for sure. So many kids activities on the weekend. Make sure to put away all the food. We had a racoon friend steal a bag of grapes. There is a camp store with icecream and essentials in case you forget anything. Showers take tokens. Also great fishing area.