2 reviews of Pigeon River State Forest Campground "Amazing, secluded drive in, front country campground, in the shingle mill trail. The pathway follows the campground road and crosses the Pigeon River on the east end of the campground. to Osmun Rd. 49795, Pigeon River Country Discovery Center | Copyright 2017. At the Park Headquarters you can view some nice displays about the wildlife and plants found throughout the Pigeon River Country Forest. Trees near Tubbs Cr include white cedar, balsam fir, and black spruce. to Sturgeon Valley Rd. Aspen, sometimes called “popple,” regenerates best after it is clearcut by sending up thousands of shoots from the root system. The lake’s boggy shoreline is surrounded by dead snags, tag alder, and blueberry thickets that blend into the surrounding cedar-balsam swamps. Whitetail deer can be seen in, abundance, as well as Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, numerous types of waterfowl, and even an occasional, within 100 yards of camp, howling to their friends. This nature forest is popular for elk hunting." Excellent hiking and fishing opportunities from campground. (17½ miles): Heading north from the trailhead parking lot (9’N 28’W) on Sturgeon Valley Rd., you enter the Pigeon Bridge CG on the east side of the Pigeon River. The nearly 100,000-acre state forest contains native hardwoods and pines that are interspersed with fields and forest openings. 1 review of Pigeon River Country State Forest Area "Well marked trail system. Search: Home; List; Map; Events This scenic and wooded campground is located on the banks of the Pigeon River. All these pathways can be found on our waterproof map (order here) except for the new Towerman’s Watch. Pigeon River State Forest Campground. With river, sinkhole lake, natural lake, backcountry camping etc. Numerous lowland conifer swamps are interspersed with rolling terrain containing pine, aspen, and some hardwood stands. The Pigeon River Country State Forest stretches over 106,700 acres of state land. Closed from November through the End of April. Water access, and hiking pathway at campground. Clear Lk/Jackson Lk Pathway to Camp 30 Rd. A variety of woodpeckers and tree swallows gather on the dead snags at the flooding. Along the way, the edge of a ridge overlooks a marsh, beaver pond, and hardwood stand at Bird Tally Cr. Tomahawk Cr Flooding: (13’N 10’W) This flooding, created to increase the quality of fish and wildlife habitat, provides a peaceful setting for viewing nesting loons and osprey. Recreation Search Michigan Department of Natural Resources. There are eight rustic campgrounds in the Pigeon River Country State Forest with two them, Elk Hill Trail Camp and Johnson’s Crossing Trail Camp, serving equestrians and their horses. Free Admission, 9984 Twin Lakes Road Pigeon River State Forest Campground is covered … Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cornwall Flooding, a 295-acre impoundment in Pigeon River Country State Forest provides excellent recreation opportunities. I thought the campground was a little closer to … River close by. If this is your first visit to the area than this should be your first stop. For more about these unusual formations, see Sinkholes Pathway entry below. It is 105,000 acres full of awesome forest views, hiking trails, rustic state campgrounds, lakes, rivers, and, at the right time of year, a chance for some elk viewing. Jack pine stands in it are managed for the endangered Kirtland’s warbler and the dozens of other wildlife species that benefit from this special ecosystem. The strenuous 200’ climb to the top of Rattlesnake Hill rewards you with a tremendous panoramic view. Water levels in the flooding fluctuate seasonally, more so than in nearby lakes. There are no vehicle fees to hike, bike or ski the state forest but there is a nightly fee to stay in the rustic campgrounds. If this is your first visit to the area than this should be your first stop. to Shoepac Lk CG (20½ miles): (18’N 25’W) Here the HCP passes through some of the most remote and wild areas of the PRC. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Pigeon River Country State Forest Headquarters (989-983-4101) is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No reservations. Northern Hardwood Management: (17’N 26’W) Just north of Webb Rd., the HCP passes through a hardwood forest selectively cut in 2004 to provide proper spacing for growth and reproduction of the remaining trees. We provide the latitude and longitude in minutes, leaving out the 45°N and 84°W, since they are the same across the area. Forest types range from jack pine barrens to northern hardwoods, interspersed with open meadows. It is home to a world-class … They are available at: www.pigeonriver.com,Village Market, DNR Operations Center on M32, White Birch Outfitters, Gaylord Tourism Bureau, Atlanta Management HQ on M33, Otsego Lake State Park and Clear Lake State Parkat: www Virtually the entire world population, now about 2,000 pairs of Kirtland’s warblers, nest in twelve counties in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, six counties in the Upper Peninsula, and since 2007 also in Wisconsin and Ontario. Lots of animal tracks as expected but with three guys traveling together I didn’t expect to see much. No electricity." A dry sinkhole, only a few hundred feet east of Shoepac Lake, is about 140 feet deep, or about 45 feet below the bottom of Shoepac Lake – a very unusual situation. The pathway follows the campground road and crosses the Pigeon River on the east end of the campground. Couple of outhouses, water outlets. 19 sites for tent and small trailer use secluded in scenic woodland along the Pigeon River. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. The shoots are food for many animals and are a favorite of elk. Good access to the shallow, sandy-bottomed lake makes this is an inviting place to camp. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Click, Photography and web design Copyright © 2009 MIS LLC, No commercial reproduction, adaptation, distribution or transmission of any part or parts of this website or any information contained. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Duby Lake: The ¼ mile spur pathway out to Duby Lake traverses the only high ground to this dying lake. Tubbs Cr: (4’N 22’W) An excellent example of the many wetlands throughout the region. Conifer swamps are especially rich and provide habitat for amphibians, songbirds, reptiles, and mammals seeking food and dense cover. This trip is a good choice for viewing the elk herds, avoiding large crowds, and accessing some good dispersed Pigeon River Country HQ: (10’N 28’W) The log structure built by the CCC in 1934-35 burned in 1985. Farther on is a trail shelter just west of Canada Cr. They are available at: www.pigeonriver.org,Village Market, White Birch Outfitters, Gaylord Tourism Bureau, Otsego Lake State Park and Clear Lake State Park Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, map vendors may be operating under reduced hours or closed temporarily. (14½ miles): (5’N 19’W) Much of this section traverses high rolling hills covered with northern hardwood, oak, pine, and aspen stands, and has a few scenic overlooks. A wide diversity of songbirds are found in the different-aged jack pine and oak areas resulting from this management, and in turn, offer excellent wildlife viewing. The flooding lies within the Clear Lk Kirtland’s warbler management area. Shoepac Lake: (14’N 10’W) The lake is a sinkhole, about 95 feet deep, in an area of sinkholes. Fire rings in each site. Pigeon River CG: (10’N 26’W) A good place to overnight. At 1,230’ above sea level, this is the highest point on the HCP. Pigeon River Campground Pine Grove Campground Pigeon Rv Webb Rd Access Round Lake Campground Shingle Mill Pathway Tin Shanty Bridge The Witness Tree Pigeon River State Forest - Otsego County Michigan M.I. We didn’t see anyone else out here, not even tire tracks in the snow on any state forest road. Rattlesnake Hill: (4’N 16’W) Rattlesnake Hill is a kame moraine formed from debris trapped in a crevasse during the Wisconsin glaciation and then deposited by glacial melting. The Pigeon River Country encompasses approximately 104,000 acres and was created in October of 1973 by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Based on what I have seen so far, there as no reason to believe there would be any good place to camp there. Vanderbilt, Michigan Near the Devil’s Soup Bowl Lake, the HCP splits from the Shingle Mill Pathway and goes north to Pine Grove CG. The forest is teeming with wildlife, ATV tracks, trails, and lakes brimming with trouts and campgrounds … An example is the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Harvesting every 15 to 20 years encourages rapid growth and partially mimics natural processes. It has a bunch of drive in front country campgrounds too. Camp 30 Rd. .Considering the hassle it was to try and reach the Pigeon River yesterday, I chose the state forest campground. Pigeon River State Forest Campground in Vanderbilt Michigan offers 19 sites for tent and small trailer use secluded in scenic woodland along the Pigeon River. Water access, and hiking pathway at campground. Near the Devil’s Soup Bowl Lake, the HCP splits from the Shingle Mill Pathway and goes north to Pine Grove CG. The 95,000-acre state forest contains native hardwoods and pines that are interspersed with fields and forest openings. Pigeon River State Forest is situated east of Green Timbers, close to Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground. The pathway enters the wetland from pine forest leading into lowland deciduous forest. (14 miles): (7’N 10’W) This section starts out flat to gently rolling, becoming hilly by the time you reach Rattlesnake Hill. It is on the south bank of the Pigeon River, about three miles from the trailhead on Sturgeon Valley Rd. We now have available the new 2019 edition topo map of the High Country Pathway and the Pigeon River Country State Forest! Habitat management for elk and deer and other forest wildlife on state forest lands in the area has created different forest age classes and many grassy openings. We now have available the new 2019 edition topo map of the High Country Pathway and the Pigeon River Country State Forest! 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