A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Au Train Lake Campground

Forest Service campground in Hiawatha National Forest, Alger County, Michigan. 633 feet. 5.5 miles from Chatham.

Managed by
Forest Service Hiawatha National Forest
Elevation
633 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
33 33 standard non-electric
Longest rig
60 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Alger County

Overview

Located at the south end of AuTrain Lake, this campground is favored by anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The quiet setting is great for family trips, and visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities year-round, all less than a day's drive from major urban areas of Michigan and Wisconsin.

Recreation

The large size of the lake provides miles of prime water skiing, boating, swimming and fishing. Anglers can expect a healthy catch of bass and a variety of perch. Canoeing is also popular on AuTrain Lake and the nearby AuTrain River, which meanders into Lake Superior.

The campground also provides access to the popular two-mile Songbird interpretive trail, which winds through forest and field, along bog and lakeshore, and is popular for birding.

A wildlife viewing platform is available at neighboring Buck Bay and Buck Bay Creek.

Facilities

The campground offers dozens of large, wooded campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

A boat ramp is available at the parking area of the campground, and the lot offers plenty of space for turning and parking. Boat rentals are available in AuTrain.

Natural Features

AuTrain Lake is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan, between three of the Great Lakes. It sits amid rolling hills forested with pine and aspen trees, as well as large open and tree-covered wetlands.

Nearby Attractions

The city of AuTrain, located on the shores of Lake Superior, is about 5 miles from the campground.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Au Train Lake Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated September 2, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.