Sawmill Campsite 47D

🌲 Introduction / Overview

For Michiganders who prize seclusion and a truly rustic experience, Sawmill Campsite 47D is a gem hidden within the vast, beautiful wilderness of the Huron-Manistee National Forests near Oscoda. This is not a traditional, amenity-packed campground; rather, it is a primitive, designated single-family campsite—one of 102 individually marked sites along a 55-mile stretch of the iconic Au Sable River shoreline.

Campsite 47D, specifically identified by its unique loop name, “Sawmill Point,” offers an authentic deep-woods getaway. The experience here is centered on peace, immersion in nature, and self-reliance, which is exactly what many seasoned Michigan campers are looking for. Reviews from local users consistently highlight the site's seclusion, confirming it is an ideal spot for escaping the crowds and enjoying the quiet solitude of Northeast Michigan's natural landscape. It provides direct, albeit rustic, access to the region's most popular features: extensive trails and the renowned Au Sable River system, making it a perfect launch point for hiking, kayaking, and fishing enthusiasts.

This type of camping falls under the Au Sable River Primitive Camping designation, which means you are reserving a specific, individual spot in the National Forest, ensuring privacy that large campgrounds simply cannot offer.

🗺️ Location and Accessibility

Sawmill Campsite 47D is located within the Oscoda Township, MI 48750, situated in Iosco County along the celebrated Au Sable River corridor. While the precise GPS coordinates for the individual site are specific to the primitive camping map, its general location is tied to the Sawmill Point area, which is about 15 miles west of Oscoda, accessible via River Road and Cooke Dam Rd. This places the site directly along the River Road National Forest Scenic Byway, one of Michigan's most breathtaking drives.

The accessibility is a blend of convenience and ruggedness. It is accessible by vehicle, allowing campers to drive directly to their spot, yet it maintains a remote feel, deep in the National Forest land. The site is part of the larger network of primitive sites nestled on the Au Sable River shoreline and bluffs. One of the key local attractions, the Cooke Pond access at Sawmill Point, is known to have a gravel boat ramp nearby, suggesting convenient, though rustic, access for paddle sports.

Campers should be prepared for typical forest roads and note the instruction from a user that the site may require pulling in forward, indicating a specific, often slightly challenging, parking configuration designed to maximize seclusion and minimize environmental impact.

🛠️ Services Offered

As a designated single-family primitive campsite on National Forest land, the amenities at Sawmill Campsite 47D focus on providing a foundation for rustic camping. Campers should be fully prepared to be self-sufficient, a trait many dedicated Michigan backpackers and paddlers embrace.

• Primitive Designation: The site is intended for rustic camping, meaning there are no modern amenities like electricity, running water, or flush toilets directly at the site.
• Individual Campsite: It is an individually designated spot, specifically reserved for a single family or small group, offering maximum privacy.
• Designated Campfire Area: The site allows for campfires, which is essential for cooking and warmth, though campers must follow all local and National Forest regulations regarding fire safety.
• Parking/Driveway Access: The site is accessible by vehicle (a single car or small RV/trailer), though one user noted the specific need to "pull in forward" on this site.
• Trails and Water Access: The primary service offered is proximity to nature, featuring many nearby trails and only a short walk to the water of the Au Sable River/Cooke Pond system.
• Seasonal Permit System: During the peak season (May 15 to September 10), a camping permit is required to use the site, ensuring its preservation and managed access. Outside of this season, no permit is required, though sites are not maintained.
• Proximity to Full-Service Parks: For campers requiring modern facilities, the nearby Oscoda Township Park and Old Orchard Campground offer amenities like full restrooms, hot showers, and sanitation stations, providing an easy option for a quick refresh during a longer primitive stay.

✨ Features / Highlights

Sawmill Campsite 47D’s highlights are defined by the unique blend of river accessibility and forest seclusion that the Oscoda area is known for.

• Exceptional Seclusion and Privacy: This is the site's number one feature. The design as an individually marked primitive spot ensures minimal neighbor traffic and a quiet, immersive forest experience, confirmed by local reviews.
• Gateway to the Au Sable River: Located in the Sawmill Point loop, the site is directly tied to the Au Sable River system, providing simple access for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing on the river or the adjacent Cooke Pond backwaters.
• Extensive Trail Network: The area surrounding the site is crisscrossed with numerous trails, perfect for hiking, nature observation, and simply wandering deeper into the Huron-Manistee National Forests.
• Part of the River Road Scenic Byway: Camping here places you in the heart of the national scenic byway, close to attractions like the Lumberman's Monument and Iargo Springs, enriching the cultural and historical dimension of your Michigan trip.
• Genuine Primitive Experience: For campers who wish to truly 'rough it' and test their self-reliance skills, this site offers the ideal balance of a designated spot with a deep wilderness feel, without the noise and lights of modern RV parks.
• Quiet Water Access: The short walk to the water, as noted by a reviewer, makes it easy to launch a canoe or simply enjoy the peaceful shoreline views without the crowds of a boat ramp area.

📞 Contact Information

Since Sawmill Campsite 47D is a primitive site managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Au Sable River Primitive Camping program within the Huron-Manistee National Forests, direct contact is typically made through the managing Ranger Station for general inquiries and regulations.

General Location/Forest Service Manager:

Oscoda Township, MI 48750, USA

Managing Forest Service Office (Huron Shores Ranger Station):

5761 N. Skeel Road, Oscoda, MI 48750

Office Phone Number (for permits and general inquiries):

(989) 739-0728

⭐ What is Worth Choosing Sawmill Campsite 47D

Michiganders should choose Sawmill Campsite 47D if their camping philosophy centers on seclusion, serenity, and a direct connection to nature. This site offers an escape from the packed campgrounds found throughout the Lower Peninsula, delivering a genuine, primitive camping experience within a nationally recognized forest and river system. The ability to reserve a specific, secluded spot like 47D eliminates the uncertainty of typical dispersed camping while guaranteeing a quiet, private basecamp.

It is the perfect choice for the canoeist, the quiet fisherman, or the hiker looking for immediate access to trails and the Au Sable River without the surrounding hubbub. The proximity to popular historical sites on the River Road Scenic Byway provides a cultural element, but the campsite itself remains a sanctuary. Simply put, if you want a weekend retreat that feels truly "Up North," where your only neighbors are the trees and the river is just a short walk away, Sawmill Campsite 47D offers a rare and valuable primitive escape in Northeast Michigan.