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Pigeon River State Forest Campground serves equestrians seeking rustic camping with direct access to extensive trail networks. The campground allows horses on specific sites, though no dedicated corrals are provided. Camping areas accommodate tents and RVs with enough space for horse trailers at designated spots. The campground maintains vault toilets and drinking water pumps, with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. The surrounding forest contains over 100 miles of trails through Michigan's elk country, offering varied terrain for riders of all experience levels. Trail riders consistently note the peaceful, secluded nature of the campground with minimal crowds even during peak season.
Located approximately 20 miles from Carp Lake, the forest provides exceptional opportunities for primitive equestrian camping throughout the 105,000-acre wilderness. Riders access the Shingle Mill Pathway directly from the campground, connecting to a broader network of bridle trails through northern Michigan's diverse landscapes. Horse owners must bring their own portable corrals or use highlines for securing animals overnight. The campground operates seasonally from April through October with first-come, first-served availability. Sites along the Pigeon River offer natural water access for horses, though the current can be strong in certain sections. The lack of cell service throughout the area necessitates advance preparation and offline maps for navigating the extensive trail system.
"Recommend the on site ATVrental lots of trails to ride"
"The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."
"The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
"Island lake/Huron River Hudson Mills, Sturgeon River, Pine River MI. Also, Hiawasse River, TN"
"Watch the sunset from your tent on top of a 40 foot over lake MI."
"This is a great horse camp. Have camped here many times. Pump water and river for horses. Manuer bunkers and solid poles for highline tying. Some cell phone reception but spotty."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild."
GuideThis is a great horse camp. Have camped here many times. Pump water and river for horses. Manuer bunkers and solid poles for highline tying. Some cell phone reception but spotty.
TravelerEntire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets. Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild.
GuidePeaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway. Clean bathrooms and large mostly private sites. You can launch your boat and beach it near the campground and your campsite but no direct access that we saw.
GuideMe and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under.
ScoutThe shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days. If you hike about 6 miles the first day, you’ll find a nice dispersed campsite on the west side of grass lake. The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks.
GuideIsland lake/Huron River Hudson Mills, Sturgeon River, Pine River MI. Also, Hiawasse River, TN
GuideNice campground. The hosts were very nice. Clean pool. Recommend the on site ATVrental lots of trails to ride
ScoutWatch the sunset from your tent on top of a 40 foot over lake MI.
LegendI love this area so much! So much to explore and not heavily trafficked at all. NCT runs through the state forest, so dispersed camping all around. There are a few rustic campgrounds, but we usually just stay at one of the dispersed sites because most of them have a sweet set up. Lots of awesome sink holes to swim in, and even elk sightings. If you can manage to find this place, you will love it!
Carp Lake sits at the northern edge of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, approximately 16 miles inland from Lake Michigan. The area features mixed hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 600-800 feet, creating varied terrain for campers. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during the day, with evening temperatures dropping into the 50s, making for comfortable tent camping conditions during peak season.
Water recreation: Carp Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities with bass, pike, and panfish. Nearby Sturgeon Valley Campground offers river access for kayaking. As camper Sue R. notes, "River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak."
Hiking trails: Pigeon River State Forest Campground connects to the Shingle Mill Pathway, a 10-mile loop trail. According to Halie C., "The Shingle Mill Pathway runs right through the campgrounds which is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. The river is also great for fly fishing and floating down if you decide to bring a tube."
Sinkhole exploration: The unique geological formations near Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground attract hikers. Vaughn S. mentions, "Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish." Nicole V. adds, "Peaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway."
River sites: Riverside camping spots are highly sought after. Paul C. from Pigeon River State Forest Campground shares, "Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site."
Privacy and quiet: Many campgrounds in the area offer secluded sites. Kat S. notes about Pigeon River, "Small in overall size for more peaceful, enjoyable quietness. Sites along the River. Clean and well taken care of by DNR."
Lake views: St. James Township Campground on Beaver Island provides dramatic water vistas. Casey B. recommends you can "Watch the sunset from your tent on top of a 40 foot over lake MI."
Remote location: Cell service is limited throughout the region. Aaron T. advises about Pigeon River State Forest Campground, "Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away. Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate between April and October. Pigeon River operates from April to October, while Chandler Hill Campground runs May 1 to October 31.
Water conditions: Rivers in the area can have strong currents. Paul C. warns, "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."
Insects: Be prepared for bugs, especially in wooded areas. Halie C. states simply: "Beware of the bugs!" while Ian R. notes, "The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks."
Playground facilities: Chandler Hill Campground recently upgraded their recreation area. Holly K. shares, "We've camped here for two years in a row and we LOVE it! Everyone is so friendly. Camp sites are nicely spread out and our 4 kids have a ball. They just updated their playground area as well!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Carp Lake, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Carp Lake, MI is Chandler Hill Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Carp Lake, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Carp Lake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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