About Rifle River Recreation Area
Rifle River Recreation Area covers more than 4,300 acres of remote, hilly forest near Lupton in the northeast Lower Peninsula, built around 10 no-wake lakes and ponds including Grousehaven and Devoe. It's one of Michigan's best spots for a genuinely rustic, low-crowd camping experience without leaving the Lower Peninsula.
Camping is spread across four distinct campgrounds: Grousehaven Modern (75 sites with electrical service), Devoe Lake Rustic (58 sites), Spruce Rustic (16 sites), and Ranch Rustic (25 sites), plus 5 rustic cabins and a group-use area for up to 100 people. Rustic campgrounds have vault toilets and sanitation stations rather than full hookups.
Things to Do
The park's 10 lakes and ponds make it a quiet paddling and fishing destination, with an observation tower and swinging bridge adding a bit of adventure to the trail network. A 3-D archery range with 10 different targets runs April through October, and 14 miles of multiuse trails cover the rolling terrain. The AuSable River Scenic Byway is about 20 miles east for those who want to extend the trip.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is best for paddling the no-wake lakes and using the archery range, while fall hunting season draws a different crowd to the park's rustic campgrounds. The remote, wooded setting also makes for good stargazing away from city light pollution.
Reservation Tips
Rifle River's rustic campgrounds are far less competitive to book than modern lakefront parks — this is one of the better options if you want a near-guaranteed site on short notice. Reserve through MiDNRReservations.com within the 6-month window if you specifically want Grousehaven's electric sites.
Getting There
The park is about 25 minutes west of West Branch off M-33, roughly 2.5 hours north of Detroit and a common stop for anglers and hunters heading into the AuSable River region.