Map showing campground location near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Camper submitted image from Aune-Osborn Campground

Aune-Osborn Campground

This city-operated campground spans 20 acres along the St. Mary's River, providing direct access to watch Great Lakes freighters navigate between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The 100 sites feature water and electric hookups with gravel pads, though hookup placement varies significantly across the property. Some water connections extend nearly 50 feet from sites, and electrical service is limited to 30-amp connections.

Sites closest to the river offer unobstructed views of passing ships, with reviewers noting that freighters travel this narrow waterway regularly throughout the operating season. The campground layout provides little privacy between sites, with minimal tree coverage across the open terrain. Nancy W. notes the facility "lacks any character as it is an open area with a bunch of scattered campsites but it makes up for that with its location."

The bathhouse receives consistent praise for cleanliness and modern facilities, featuring private lockable shower rooms with good water pressure. Drainage can be problematic during wet weather, with standing water accumulating in roads and at some campsites. WiFi coverage varies by location, though Verizon cellular service performs reliably throughout the property.

Reservations require phone contact, and the campground accommodates RVs up to 70 feet alongside tent camping. For campers seeking more tree coverage and site separation, SOO Locks Campground sits just two-tenths of a mile away.

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Location

Public Campground

Aune-Osborn Campground is located in Michigan

Directions

From jct Bus I-75 & I-75: Go 2 mi N on I-75 (exit 394), then 1 block W on Easterday Rd, then 3-3/4 mi N & E on Portage Rd (Riverside Dr).

Address

1225 Riverside Dr
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Coordinates

46.48800031 N
84.30700075 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/4/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 7 users
Last on 4/4/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/4/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 7 users
Last on 4/4/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
30 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

9 hrs 26 min from Traverse City, MI
9 hrs 48 min from Midland, MI
10 hrs 2 min from Bay City, MI
10 hrs 25 min from Saginaw, MI

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the prime riverside location for freighter watching and praised the excellent bathroom facilities. Common feedback included concerns about cramped sites, poor drainage, and minimal privacy between camping spots.

Chris A.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2025

Nice City Park

This well-maintained city park is located directly on St. Mary’s River just down stream of the Soo Locks. Sites are ample with gravel pads. Water and electric is provided. There is very little shade or privacy, but the campers and staff are very friendly. Site 96, while not waterfront, has excellent view of the river, freighters and all river traffic.

Site96

Month of VisitAugust

Elizabeth C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2025

I keep coming back

It must be good because I keep coming back. This campground is owned by the City of Sault Ste Marie and they do a beautiful job of keeping it clean and well maintained. Restrooms and showers are excellent. Sites are mostly on a thin gravel base but are level and drain well. Electric and water are provided but no sewers. I had good Verizon cell service but their WiFi was spotty. I come here to watch the boats come and go to the locks. Those who require more active entertainment might not like it as much

Site56

Month of VisitJuly

Kimberly M.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2022

Great location, great views!

We hadn't planned on staying here but we are glad we did! The sites are a little close and they have the water and electric hook ups placed a little strangely but it was all good. It was super cool to see the large freight ships pass right by the campground! The campground is very close to town and the Soo Locks but not too close. It was pretty quiet in the campground but it was only about half full. The showers were clean, private, hot and had good pressure. The bathrooms were very clean. There were not many trees and most of the campsites are out in the open. I would stay here again but I would like to try the Soo Lock campground right down the street. It had more trees and the sites didn't look as close together. I recommend visiting the Soo Locks and the Shipwreck museum in Sault St. Marie.

Site17

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Donna H.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Aune Osborn campground

We had a great stay at Aune Osborn. Beautiful quiet place. Friendly staff, pet friendly and freighter watching.

Site34

Month of VisitMay

Gary E.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2019

Great Family get away

We visited her to enjoy the lock's. But the family found it was so much more enjoyable to be able to just step outside the camper and see the boat's go by every chance. Sites on the river are very nice with a great view.

Site16

Month of VisitAugust

(6) View All

Chad K.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2019

Great place to relax

We found this site by accident looking to visit the locks. There isnt a lot to do in the park but watch the freighters but thats why we wanted to go. Minutes to town and the locks, tours and more. I will be back for a waterfront spot.

Month of VisitJuly

Dave D.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

Great Campground to watch the freighters.

This is a great campground if you want to watch the freighters. I gave it only 4 stars because there is only 30 amp hookups available and there aren’t many trees for shade. But the close access to watch the freighters makes up for those short comings. Also make sure to visit West Pier Hamburger. Definitely one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. And get the onion rings!

Ashleigh M.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2018

Great Location

This location can’t be beat: close to town and great freighter watching. The bathhouse is one of the nicest I’ve ever seen at a campground. The sites are very small and close together. There is no privacy whatsoever and I really felt like the other campers looked down at us for having a tent. They made snide comments and I got really sick of it by the time we left. It really reminded me why I usually stay at public campgrounds.

Nancy W.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2017

Close to Soo Locks

This park pretty much lacks any character as it is an open area with a bunch of scattered campsites but it makes up for that with its location. Most people come to the town of Sault Ste. Marie (called the “Soo”) to check out the famous Soo Locks and watch massive Great Lakes freighters pass through them on their way from Lake Superior to Lake Michigan.

This is a city run park that is 20 acres right on the St. Mary’s River so you get a great view of the ships passing by. When we arrived it had been rainy during the day and there was lots of water in the roads and at people’s campsites. Luckily our site was dry but there were some pretty big puddles and lots of standing water. Some of the sites are right on the river which and have unobstructed views of the ships. Reservations are by phone only. I had to leave a message but got a call back within a few hours and it was pretty easy from there

There are 100 sites with water and electric and all are pretty easy to get into with an RV. Tent camping is allowed but there is no separate section so you are mixed in with RVs. Some of the hook-ups at sites are crazy. Our water was nearly 50 feet away and some are on the wrong side. Bathroom and shower facilities very nice and well maintained, with private lockable shower rooms. There is a laundry with book exchange but no camp store. The park has showers and restrooms that were very clean and modern. The showers are separate rooms that have privacy so you are not in the bathroom. They also have a laundry facility. The park wifi worked well at our site (#72) as did our Verizon phone and hotspot. Adjacent to the campground is a boat launch, playground (which looked like it was from the 1960’s), fish cleaning station, and an RV dump station.

The campground is not very large so for walking our dog we went to the adjacent park and were able to throw a ball for her. Within walking distance of the campground is a convenient store and there is a casual restaurant with burgers/fried fish/hotdogs/etc.

A visit to the Soo Locks is definitely a must. The Visitor Center (operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) is free and well worth a visit. There are some short films, interpretive exhibits, and a board letting you know what time the ships are expected into the locks. Outside is a viewing platform where you get a great view of the ships in the locks watching them rise 20+feet as they make their transition.

I wouldn't consider this an amazing park, but if you come to Sault Ste. Marie there are not a lot of choices and its fine. You are just a few miles from downtown and the Locks and get to watch freighters navigate the narrow stretch of the river. The downsides are there are not lots of trees or privacy and the drainage is really poor.

Tip 1: Site #9 is probably the best in the park as it is on the end, has a great view and more privacy.

Tip 2: For a delicious hamburger head under the International Bridge to West Pier Drive-In. It is the kind of place where you sit in your car and eat the most delicious juicy hamburger that fills your belly all day.

Site72

Month of VisitJuly

(14) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Aune Osborn Campground?

Aune-Osborn Campground offers water and electric hookups (30 amp service) at campsites, though some sites have unusually positioned utility connections. The campground features exceptionally clean restrooms and shower facilities that are well-maintained and frequently praised for their quality. Sites are set on level gravel pads with good drainage. While the campground lacks extensive shade trees, it compensates with its prime riverfront location. The grounds are consistently well-maintained and clean, with friendly staff available to assist campers. Pet owners will appreciate that the campground is pet-friendly.

Are there reviews available for Aune Osborn Campground and what do campers say about it?

Campers consistently praise Aune-Osborn Campground for its exceptional location along the St. Mary's River, which offers outstanding freighter-watching opportunities. The well-maintained grounds and exceptionally clean restroom and shower facilities receive high marks. Most visitors award the campground 4 or 5 stars, appreciating the friendly staff and peaceful atmosphere. Many note that while sites lack privacy and shade, the prime waterfront location more than compensates. The campground's proximity to town and local attractions is frequently highlighted as a major benefit, with many visitors expressing intentions to return specifically for the unique experience of watching large ships pass by.

What types of camping are available at Aune Osborn Campground (RV, tent, cabin)?

Aune-Osborn Campground primarily caters to RV camping with water and 30-amp electric hookups available at sites. While tent camping is permitted, the campground's atmosphere and layout seem more oriented toward RVs, with some tent campers noting they felt somewhat out of place. The sites feature gravel pads that accommodate various RV sizes. No cabin accommodations are available. Most sites are fairly close together with limited privacy, but waterfront sites offer spectacular views of passing freighters on the St. Mary's River.

Where is Aune Osborn Campground located and how close is it to attractions in Sault Ste Marie?

Aune-Osborn Campground is located directly on the St. Mary's River downstream from the famous Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The campground's proximity to town is one of its biggest advantages - it's just minutes from downtown attractions. Visitors can easily access the Soo Locks, tours, and other local points of interest. The campground itself provides an excellent vantage point for watching massive Great Lakes freighters navigate the river. Many campers specifically choose this location for its convenient access to town while enjoying the peaceful riverfront setting and unique ship-watching opportunities.

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