The 95,000-acre state forest contains native hardwoods and pines that are, interspersed with fields and forest openings. The 95,000-acre state forest contains native hardwoods and pines that are interspersed with fields and forest openings. The strenuous 200’ climb to the top of Rattlesnake Hill rewards you with a tremendous panoramic view. 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 A variety of woodpeckers and tree swallows gather on the dead snags at the flooding. Fire rings in each site. 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. This diversity attracts a wider variety of breeding songbird species. 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 Shingle Mill and High Country Pathways run through this campground. The pathway enters the wetland from pine forest leading into lowland deciduous forest. Clay present at Shoepac keeps water in the lake, while the dry sinkholes are in mostly sandy soils that allow water to drain away. There are good camping sites in this area. The nearby former residence of the PRC manager sat vacant for a decade until the Pigeon River Country Association began outfitting it in 2015 as a discovery center. The Pigeon River Country State Forest Headquarters (989-983-4101) is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is on the south bank of the Pigeon River, about three miles from the trailhead on Sturgeon Valley Rd. Northern hardwood stands contain beech trees with claw marks on the silver-barked trunks from bears climbing to eat beechnuts in Autumn. Located on the north bank of the Pigeon River, this is an excellent spot for camping, hiking, fishing, or relaxing. 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. The results are a variety of shade-tolerant species of different sizes and ages, providing a forest structurally and compositionally diverse. Can you identify the pines? Near the Devil’s Soup Bowl Lake, the HCP splits from the Shingle Mill Pathway and goes north to Pine Grove CG. (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. Aspen, sometimes called “popple,” regenerates best after it is clearcut by sending up thousands of shoots from the root system. This site is a photographic history of my 50+ years spent camping, fishing, hunting and biking this beautiful region. Pigeon River CG: (10’N 26’W) A good place to overnight. The Pigeon River Country encompasses approximately 104,000 acres and was created in October of 1973 by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The forest is teeming with wildlife, ATV tracks, trails, and lakes brimming with trouts and campgrounds … The pathway follows the campground road and crosses the Pigeon River on the east end of the campground. (14 miles): (7’N 10’W) This section starts out flat to gently rolling, becoming hilly by the time you reach Rattlesnake Hill. The rugged, 108,000-acre expanse of Michigan’s Pigeon River Country State Forest is already one of the state’s premier destinations to connect with nature, but … Pigeon River State Forest Campground is covered … It is home to a world-class … Couple of outhouses, water outlets. Ten sites for tent and small trailer use located along the scenic Pigeon River. Farther on is a trail shelter just west of Canada Cr. No electricity." The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the U.S. called US Topo that are separated into rectangular quadrants that are printed at 22.75"x29" or larger. Water access, and hiking pathway at campground. The Pigeon River Country State Forest and surrounding land is home to the largest free-roaming elk herd, east of the Mississippi River. The Pigeon River Country State Forest and surrounding land is home to the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi River. 1 review of Pigeon River Country State Forest Area "Well marked trail system. The Pigeon River Country State Forest is an extensive 105,049-acre area located a short distance north of Gaylord. Numerous lowland conifer swamps are interspersed with rolling terrain containing pine, aspen, and some hardwood stands. It is on the south bank of the Pigeon River, about three miles from the trailhead on Sturgeon Valley Rd. Water levels in the flooding fluctuate seasonally, more so than in nearby lakes. With river, sinkhole lake, natural lake, backcountry camping etc. I thought the campground was a little closer to … An example is the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Vanderbilt, Michigan Acre for acre, wetlands produce more wildlife and plants than any other Michigan habitat type. This PRC headquarters building was dedicated in 1991. 49795, Pigeon River Country Discovery Center | Copyright 2017. 19 sites for tent and small trailer use secluded in scenic woodland along the Pigeon River. The Pigeon River Country State Forest and surrounding land where we are camped is home to the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi River. Young stands of aspen provide favorable habitat for many species such as oven birds, woodcock, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, deer, and elk. At night, the area comes alive with the sounds of nature. See the Clear Lake/Jackson Lake Pathway entry below. Other activities include hunting, blueberry picking, … The Pigeon River State Forest Campground, while a nice little rustic campground, was definitely a stark contrast to quiet of the trail. 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. Search: Home; List; Map; Events At 1,230’ above sea level, this is the highest point on the HCP. You can also pick up permits, maps and other information on hiking, hunting, kayaking, cross country skiing, camping and site seeing. Clear Lk/Jackson Lk Pathway to Camp 30 Rd. It has a bunch of drive in front country campgrounds too. No reservations. This often exposes wide sandy shorelines during the drier summer months, which are used by wading birds and migrating shorebirds. 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. The nearly 100,000-acre state forest contains native hardwoods and pines that are interspersed with fields and forest openings. We provide the latitude and longitude in minutes, leaving out the 45°N and 84°W, since they are the same across the area. 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. Lots of animal tracks as expected but with three guys traveling together I didn’t expect to see much. Cornwall Flooding, a 295-acre impoundment in Pigeon River Country State Forest provides excellent recreation opportunities. Closed from November through the End of April. Here the HCP joins the Shingle Mill Pathway for the next 6.7 miles; with scenic overlooks. This pristine wilderness offers countless recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and more. Camp 30 Rd. Some hints: red pine has reddish flaky bark, a tall straight trunk, and long needles in clusters of two; jack pine has black flaky bark and shorter needles in clusters of two; white pine, the “State Tree,” has ridged, gray-black bark with light feathery needles growing in clusters of five. The flooding lies within the Clear Lk Kirtland’s warbler management area. 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. 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. Bald eagles nest nearby. At the Park Headquarters you can view some nice displays about the wildlife and plants found throughout the Pigeon River Country Forest. The pathway follows the campground road and crosses the Pigeon River on the east end of the campground. 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. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. We didn’t see anyone else out here, not even tire tracks in the snow on any state forest road. We now have available the new 2019 edition topo map of the High Country Pathway and the Pigeon River Country State Forest! Osmun Rd. If this is your first visit to the area than this should be your first stop. It passes through habitats ranging from rolling hardwood forests and meadows to low-lying wetlands. It exits into stands of aspen and jack pine. This nature forest is popular for elk hunting." No reservations. Based on what I have seen so far, there as no reason to believe there would be any good place to camp there. Pigeon River Country HQ: (10’N 28’W) The log structure built by the CCC in 1934-35 burned in 1985. 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. Tubbs Cr: (4’N 22’W) An excellent example of the many wetlands throughout the region. Pine Grove CG: (15’N 27’W) Surrounded by white, red and jack pines, this is one of the PRC’s most secluded campgrounds. Conifer swamps are especially rich and provide habitat for amphibians, songbirds, reptiles, and mammals seeking food and dense cover. Pigeon River State Forest Campground. .Considering the hassle it was to try and reach the Pigeon River yesterday, I chose the state forest campground. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. You can also pick up, permits, maps and other information on hiking, hunting, kayaking, cross country skiing, camping and site, seeing. The shoots are food for many animals and are a favorite of elk. 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. 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. Pigeon River State Forest is situated east of Green Timbers, close to Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground. Here is a description and highlights for each section: Sturgeon Valley Rd. Forest types range from jack pine barrens to northern hardwoods, interspersed with open meadows. Shoepac Lake CG to Clear Lake/Jackson Lake Pathway (13¾ miles): Terrain in this section is mostly dry with rolling hills and a few steep climbs. It can be found in Otsego County deep within the Pigeon River Country State Forest, just 13.5 miles east of Vanderbilt via Sturgeon Valley Road and Twin Lakes. All these pathways can be found on our waterproof map (order here) except for the new Towerman’s Watch. Aspen Clear Cut: Just south of the footbridge crossing the Black River near Chandler Dam Rd (7’N 24’W), this aspen stand was clearcut in 2004. 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. 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. The lake’s boggy shoreline is surrounded by dead snags, tag alder, and blueberry thickets that blend into the surrounding cedar-balsam swamps. Pigeon River Country State Forest Celebrates 100 Years Pigeon River Country State Forest, a 109,000-acre undeveloped forest in northern lower Michigan, provides a unique, backcountry experience offering an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. PIGEON RIVER CAMPGROUND This campground is located on the banks of the Pigeon River about one mile from the Forest Headquarters. Phone number indicated is for the Pigeon River Country Management Unit. 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. the trail loop can be as short as 5 miles to 11 miles. If this is your first visit to the area than this should be your first stop. Pigeon River Country State Forest is located in the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula; the closest town is Vanderbilt. At the Park Headquarters you can view some nice displays about the wildlife and plants found throughout the Pigeon River Country Forest. Advertisement Pricing Area Hotels - Motels - Resorts Wolverine Lodging 2 reviews of Pigeon River State Forest Campground "Amazing, secluded drive in, front country campground, in the shingle mill trail. An elk photographed in the Pigeon River Country State Forest (DNR) “This area is full of wildlife,” said Kerry Wieber, DNR forest land administrator. It’s home to Michigan’s elk herd and focuses on quiet recreation. McLavey Lake:(17’N 21’W) A ½ mile spur north on the HCP leads to McLavey Lake, surrounded by white birch trees blending into cedar-balsam swamps. Trees near Tubbs Cr include white cedar, balsam fir, and black spruce. Excellent hiking and fishing opportunities from campground. Harvesting every 15 to 20 years encourages rapid growth and partially mimics natural processes. therein by any means whatsoever is permitted without the prior written permission of MIS. (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. Good access to the shallow, sandy-bottomed lake makes this is an inviting place to camp. 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. to Osmun Rd. Duby Lake: The ¼ mile spur pathway out to Duby Lake traverses the only high ground to this dying lake. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. to 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! At the Park Headquarters you can view some nice displays, about the wildlife and plants found throughout the Pigeon River Country Forest. Openings of 100+ acres are created to provide young jack pine needed for Kirtland’s warbler nesting. Free Admission, 9984 Twin Lakes Road Connected to the High Country Pathway are Pine Grove (6 sites) Pigeon Bridge (10 sites), Round Lake (10 sites) and Town Corner Lake (12 sites). The Pigeon River Country State Forest stretches over 106,700 acres of state land. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pigeon River State Forest Pigeon River State Forest is a forest in Michigan and has an elevation of 997 feet. For more about these unusual formations, see Sinkholes Pathway entry below. 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. It spreads along the high central plateau of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. This scenic and wooded campground is located on the banks of the Pigeon River. North of the campground, surface sediments are glacial outwash sand and gravel and post-glacial alluvium and coarse-textured glacial till, about 200-400 feet thick. Splash Panel. The trailhead is located in the Pigeon River County State Forest Campground and winds through the most scenic areas of Pigeon River Country, home of the state… Along the way, the edge of a ridge overlooks a marsh, beaver pond, and hardwood stand at Bird Tally Cr. It was designed to provide the backpacker with roughly one week of outdoor adventure. Recreation Search Michigan Department of Natural Resources. One hundred years ago, a unique, rustic area – the “Pine Barrens Country” that a young Ernest Hemingway called “wild as the devil” and “the greatest I’ve ever been in” – became the Pigeon River Country State Forest. It looks like the color up here peaked last week. 19 sites for tent and small trailer use secluded in scenic woodland along the Pigeon River. This 19-site campground has an excellent flowing well, excellent brown, rainbow and brook trout fishing, and has ample space for larger rigs. Water access, and hiking pathway at campground. No reservations. River close by. 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. This trip is a good choice for viewing the elk herds, avoiding large crowds, and accessing some good dispersed Shoepac Lake: (14’N 10’W) The lake is a sinkhole, about 95 feet deep, in an area of sinkholes. The High Country Pathway (HCP), 80 miles long, offers one of the Lower Peninsula’s best near-wilderness experiences. Families cooking on grills and bathing suit clad campers carrying inflated tubes were all bustling around, enjoying the nice (hot) weather and the cool water. 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