Au Sable State Forest

The Au Sable State Forest is a woodland area in north-central Michigan that contains multiple ecosystems including the Dead Stream Swamp and old-growth pine stands. The forest also encompasses several lakes and rivers, particularly the Au Sable River system, which provides routes for paddling and water-based exploration.

This forest developed in the late 1800s following Michigan's major timber harvesting period, when cleared land lost its commercial value as a lumber source. The establishment of the state forest on these lands represents efforts to restore the area for recreation and natural preservation.

The Mason Chapel in the Mason Tract serves as a gathering place where visitors and local anglers connect with a long tradition of fishing and outdoor recreation. The building reflects how people have developed their relationship with this forest and its waterways over generations.

The forest offers camping spaces for tents and small trailers, with additional campsites accessible only by canoe along the Au Sable River system. Visitors should plan for water-based access to certain areas and be prepared for outdoor recreation activities in a natural setting.

The Dead Stream Swamp, a significant wetland within the forest, received recognition as a nationally important natural area due to its rare freshwater forest ecosystem. Visitors can observe plant and bird species that thrive in intact wetland environments that are uncommon elsewhere.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 44.10000,-84.17000

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:05