AuTrain Lake Campground — Hotel in Au Train Township

In September, 2017, while driving from Minneapolis to Toronto, we decided to spend one night at the Au Train Lake Campground. It had two loops, we drove around, trying to find a nice campsite and eventually picked campsite number 13, near the lake. Because of my friend’s special pass, we only paid half of the regular price, $9.00. The park had a self-reservation system, so I picked an envelope, wrote information about us and our vehicle, put money in and was supposed to slide it into a special money collection slot, but as we were walking to the payment station, we started talking to the campground host. He told us that the Federal Government had run out of money and there was no water for the pump and no electricity. So we were glad we had plenty of water with us. I gave the envelope with the money to the host and bought some wood from him. He was a very outgoing man, who certainly enjoyed his semi-volunteering occupation very much.

I also spent one night camping there in late September, 2019 (a few days later the campground was closing for the season). There were not too many people and the host had already packed up and gone. I took a short hike and went up the observation platform.

August, 2022: Another stay at AuTrain Campground

After doing some shopping in Munising, I drove to Au Train Lake Campground in the Hiawatha National Forest. Of course, I relied on my GPS to take me there, but when at one point it told me to turn into a very narrow, one-lane unpaved road in the middle of a very dense forest (County Road nr 531), I became extremely skeptical about its reliability. After driving for about 50 meters, I backed up to the main road, not wanting to get stuck, as this 'road' resembled a trail suitable for ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) or mountain bikes rather than cars! Fortunately, my GPS quickly found another road, this time paved, and in no time I arrived at Au Train Lake Campground.

There was a board, listing available campsites and I was surprised that not too many were vacant. I picked campsite 26 [N46° 23.666' W86° 50.210'], close to the water, set up the tent, filled out the payment envelope and deposited it, along with $22, to the payment box. There was a short trail with a boardwalk to the observation platform, which offered a great view of the whole lake. Walking back to the campsite, I passed by the host's site: there was a bunch of sticks near a tree and a sign, “Dog Library. Take a stick, leave a stick.”

This was my third visit to this campground—my friend and I 'discovered' it in 2017, then I stayed for one night in September, 2019 and perhaps I will also camp in this park...

When we checked in, we were given a campsite other than the one I had reserved. After several minutes of disagreeing and showing the confirmation, they admitted that they renumbered the sites since my reservation. We were given a different campsite. We did not know until we checked in that you are not allowed to take your vehicle to your campsite. Small garden carts are provided for you to lug all your camping gear to your campsite from the parking lot. It took us 5 trips on uneven terrain that was wood chips and some of it was pure sand. The temperature was 91 degrees and it was very muggy. This was not pleasant at all. They had gator tractors that young men were running around with but do you think they offered even once to help to our stuff to the campsite? Nope! I suggested that they put this information on their website so people aren't surprised and what about people with disabilities that wouldn't be able to lug their stuff to their campsite? They just shrugged and had no response. Also, the map on their website is not accurate. Campsites are much closer than they appear. In the tent section, it looks like a tent city with tents just an arms reach away from each other. There was trash left on our campsite, the place for the tent was not even, and the charcoal grill on our site was only about 6 inches off the ground. I was very disappointed and we ended up leaving that same night. This is not a campground that I would go back to nor would...

This is a beautiful campground that is tucked away down an emerald hallway of leaves, trees, and picture perfect ferns. This year they have a new campground host couple who, after I experienced some major RV troubles, were absolutely, fantasticly helpful and kind!

Over a 5 night stay the campground was peaceful in the afternoon and evening with the sound of gentle lapping water serenading the day away. Most sites had good brush growth between them, creating a private feeling behind each gravel pull-in. There are no electric sites, most are reservable with a few available on a first-come basis. There's running water and clean outhouses. AuTrain Lake is cool and clear with a sand beach and boat dock. Noticed several kayakers, boaters, and beavers bobbing around on the calm waters. There is an observation deck and 2 mile trail system that will make you feel like you're in a bird sounds soundtrack, with educational markers identifying the different bird species present in the area. Reliable and long burning firewood was available and in abundance by the host site with reasonable prices.

AuTrain township is approximately 5 miles north where there is a gorgeous Lake Superior sandy beach, convenience store, kayak rentals, and pizza place.

This campground is definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something convenient, quiet, affordable ($22 a night, cash or check only) and an all around...