Rifle River Spruce Campground

Open — The campground is open seasonally for camping. Reservations available through the Michigan DNR.

About

Rifle River Spruce Rustic Campground offers an intimate camping experience within the 4,500-acre Rifle River Recreation Area. With just 16 sites nestled in heavily wooded terrain along the scenic Rifle River, this rustic campground attracts anglers especially during trout season and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a quieter alternative to the larger campgrounds in the park. Each site provides a picnic table and fire ring. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the recreation area's diverse offerings, including over 10 no-wake lakes and ponds, scenic streams, and 14 miles of multiuse trails accessible directly from a trailhead in the campground. The Rifle River provides excellent paddling opportunities, while nearby lakes offer fishing for bluegill, bass, northern pike, yellow perch, and trout. A sanitation station is available, and guests have access to paddlesport rentals, a camp store concession, and the park's many amenities including an observation tower and swinging suspension bridge. Rifle River Recreation Area is located near Lupton in northern Michigan, approximately 20 miles west of the AuSable River Scenic Byway. The park requires a Michigan Recreation Passport for entry and accepts reservations through the Michigan DNR reservation system.

Directions

From Lupton, Michigan, head southeast on Rose City Road for approximately 1 mile to reach the entrance of Rifle River Recreation Area. Follow the park's internal roads, adhering to signage, to arrive at the Spruce Rustic Campground.

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