About Gates Au Sable Lodge
Gates Au Sable Lodge sits on the bank of the Au Sable River east of Grayling and has served anglers for about half a century. Cal and Mary Gates founded it; their son Rusty and his wife Julie ran it for decades, built its national reputation and worked for the health of the river. Josh and Katy Greenberg, who learned the trade from them, bought the lodge in 2010.
The 16 motel-style rooms all look out on the river. Standard rooms have double beds, a private bath and a fly-tying table, and the two-bedroom Brown Trout Suite has a stone fireplace for a group of three or four. There is no air conditioning; open windows usually do the job. The busy season runs April 15 to November 1, rooms often sell out early, and the lodge stays open on a smaller scale in winter. It is pet-friendly.
The restaurant, open April through October, cooks almost everything from scratch and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner beside the river. In 2026, breakfast runs 7 to 2, lunch 11 to 2 and dinner 5 to 7:30, with reservations required for dinner; beer, wine and cocktails are served. The fly shop is open daily 7 to 7 and books trips with the lodge's professional guides.
Uncommon Ranch's lavender fields are about 15 minutes away. Breakfast here, a few hours on the river, then lavender picking in July makes a full Au Sable day.
What to do
- Book a guided fly-fishing trip on the Au Sable River
- Stock up on flies and gear at the shop, open daily 7 to 7
- Eat breakfast or dinner beside the river, April through October
- Stay in a river-view room with a fly-tying table
- Bring a group of anglers to the two-bedroom Brown Trout Suite
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Main season April 15 to November 1; restaurant April through October; lodge open in a limited way in winter
- Hours
- 2026 restaurant: breakfast 7–2, lunch 11–2 (takeout to 4), dinner 5–7:30; fly shop daily 7–7
Good to know
- Dogs
- Allowed (pet-friendly rooms)
- Reservations
- Required for dinner; rooms recommended well ahead in season
Tips for your visit
- Dinner reservations are required; the dining room is small
- Rooms often sell out well ahead in peak season, so call early
- Rooms have no air conditioning, so pack for warm nights in July
- Corkage for your own wine is $15 (2026)
Pair it with a lavender farm
Uncommon Ranch · about 15 minutes away
Uncommon Ranch is about 15 minutes away, so a July morning on the river here pairs with lavender picking there.
Getting there
Questions
Is the restaurant open to non-guests?
Yes. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner April through October; dinner needs a reservation.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, the lodge says it is pet-friendly.
Is the lodge open in winter?
Yes, on a smaller scale; the main season runs April 15 to November 1.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Grayling & the Au Sable River, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
