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Rifle River Grousehaven Rec Area
Overview
Rifle River Grousehaven Recreation Area encompasses over 4,400 acres of diverse landscape in Northeastern Michigan. Originally a private retreat known as Grousehaven, this sprawling state-managed land offers a serene escape into the wilderness for RV travelers seeking a connection with nature. The park serves as the headwaters for the Rifle River and features an impressive collection of ten lakes and ponds, providing a tranquil backdrop for any getaway. It is a destination defined by its scenic vistas, rolling hills, and a rich history as a former expansive estate.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just outside the quiet town of Lupton, MI, the park is nestled within the beautiful Ogemaw County. The surrounding area is characterized by dense hardwood forests, expansive wetlands, and peaceful water systems. Visitors often appreciate the remote feel of the location, despite being easily accessible for those traveling through the Sunrise Side of Michigan. The park acts as a sanctuary for local wildlife, making it a premier spot for birdwatching and photography within the state's natural corridor, away from the hustle of more commercialized tourist hubs.
Amenities & Park Features
The recreation area offers diverse camping options catering to different RVing styles. The modern campgrounds provide essential features for a comfortable and functional stay:
- Spacious campsites equipped with 30-amp electrical hookups and ample room for larger rigs.
- Access to modern restrooms, hot showers, and a reliable RV sanitation station for easy waste disposal.
- Direct water access via seven boat launches and several fishing piers located throughout the property.
In addition to these facilities, the park features a designated swimming beach on Devoe Lake and multiple picnic areas equipped with grills for relaxed afternoon gatherings.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw here, with over 14 miles of multi-use trails available for hiking and mountain biking. Anglers frequent the area for its exceptional trout fishing in the Rifle River and panfish in the various internal lakes. A must-visit feature within the park is the observation tower, which provides a panoramic view of the surrounding forest canopy. For those venturing outside the park, the nearby Ogemaw County trail system offers miles of excitement for ORV and ATV enthusiasts looking for motorized adventure.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for RVers who prioritize a quiet, natural environment over the high-energy amenities of a luxury commercial resort. It is a perfect fit for families and outdoor adventurers who enjoy a self-directed vacation, whether that involves quiet morning paddles or rigorous afternoon hikes. If you are looking for a classic Michigan camping experience with plenty of space to roam and dark skies for stargazing, Rifle River Grousehaven will exceed your expectations as a premier outdoor destination.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Manuel Aguilera
Great state park! Clean and amazing trails and views. 10 out of 10 would recommend.
Michael Torrez (CanDoTanker)
DeVoe Lake is one of my favorite spots in Michigan. Love that DeVoe Lake has no motorized boats. Great place to kayak, swim and just be with nature.
Calvin LaMoria
The Good: Camped at one of the Grousehaven sites for 2 nights. One of the littles got pulled over by the patrolling DNR for riding their bike and wearing their helmet and was given a ticket of safety for a free ice cream at McDonalds. The road through the park is paved with some tight spots depending on how people park. The site was nice with a big firepit and handicapped picnic table and what looked like a new power post at the site I was at. The park was very packed when we were there and it was still enjoyable. I went with family and they had their own camper on the site next to me and the park let me turn my small popup around so our doors faced each other kind of making it a group site (It does not seem they care how you park your rig but I called and asked first). There was a couple communal water spigots around the park that seemed to be kept clean. The beach is average size with a handicapped plastic mat that goes from the grass all the way into the water for wheelchairs and anything else with wheels. The swimming area does not go out too far since there is a drop-off that is marked with buoys. The water was clean with no trash in the water and on the beach. There is a huge area to run around and chill with a swing set play area. There was a mystery PVC pipe with what I hope is clean water draining out right onto the beach area. The trash area was big with 3 big dumpsters and lots of parking with a trailhead near by. There is signing in the park to direct you to where you need to go to find your site. There were trails all over the place but I did not go in them.
Gordon Hanson
I been going here for over 30 years. Lots of trails. Lots of wild life. Nice view of the stars. You'll hear faint drums in the distance. You'll hear it better near Ambrose campground. I still have no idea where they're coming from lol. But it's an amazing time.
Dave Woods
Well we have camped here every year for the last 12 years. It is one of our most favorite campgrounds. Very clean, the rangers took care of our needs when asked. We stayed in the Devoe campground and the lake is marvelous as always.
Liz Masters
I like that it offers full hookup or more private rustic. I hope the rustic stays the way it is. I loved the semi-modern, but I believe they converted it to full hookup up. Many beautiful trails. Clean facilities
David Brasher
Very large and fulfilling campground nestled in an ideal location. As with any campground its only as nice as the worst neighbors and unfortunately we had some inconsiderate ones that carried on with generators and loud laughter well past quiet hours (which was obvious). However, it wasn't so obnoxious that we felt the need to mention it to anyone and it appeared somebody else must have because the noise suddenly dismissed. This of course is no fault of Rifle River! We are pleased with our stays here!
Emelia Taylor (Emily)
It's a perfect spot if you need a few hours of adventure! Bring your fishing gear, swimsuits, and non-motorized boats. Great spot to rustic camp, the beaches were calm and easy to find. Drive along Ridge Rd to get to the observation tower and fishing pier. It's a bit bumpy and a one-way road for about 2 miles. The DNR ranger we talked to was very friendly and gave us a park map. Definitely stop to grab one!
Jerry Wontorcik
We took our kayaks out to the rifle River Recreation Area it had rained torrentially just the night before. The road was paved up to Grousehaven Campground. From there the roads are hard packed rather smooth dirt even after a heavy rain. Even so the truck got all muddy underneath. It was about 2 miles back to Devoe Campground. We pressed on all the way back to the swinging bridge at the far south end of the area. The road on the far south and turns into a one lane still fairly decent but had huge puddles from the recent rain. We backtracked to Devoe and put our kayaks in there. The water was clear we could see the bottom it was like looking into an aquarium. We saw huge turtles and many of them too. Lots of fish were swimming around but they didn't seem to be biting. We saw huge carp over 3 ft long swimming around our kayaks. There is lots of wildlife everywhere. The shore surrounding Devoe lake it's like a shelf that goes out maybe 40 or 50 ft shallow and then drops off dramatically from there. There are deep holes throughout the lake. DNR online descriptions say that Lakes are all "no wake". Signs are posted everywhere though that motors are prohibited. We enjoyed our day filled with beautiful views of nature. We certainly will be returning to explore further in the future.
Tanya Sevcech
This is the second year in a row we have camp here. Love the walking bridge and the tower that looks out over at least 3 ponds. So many trails to go on and of course the fishing also. There at least 3 beaches to swim. If you are bored here it would be your own fault. So much to do. The restrooms are pretty clean at the modern campsites. Not sure about the outhouses. Haven't used those one since they are at the rustic sites.