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Pigeon River State Forest Campground permits horse camping in a rustic setting along the namesake river, with direct access to equestrian trails. Campsites accommodate both tent camping and RVs, with the main loop located approximately 20 minutes from the nearest town. Vault toilets and water pumps serve as basic amenities. The campground connects to the Shingle Mill Pathway trail system, which features nearly 10 miles of trails suitable for horseback riding. The campground has dispersed camping options throughout the forest that accommodate riders with horses. Sites include standard fire pits and picnic tables, with some locations directly on the river offering both water access and shade.
Pigeon River State Forest offers extensive trail riding opportunities through northern Michigan hardwood forests. The North Country Trail runs through portions of the state forest, providing long-distance riding routes. Horse owners need to bring all necessary equipment as no dedicated corrals or stalls exist on site. Trailer parking is available at multiple access points. The forest's substantial size allows for extended horseback excursions with multiple camping options. Sites on the river provide natural water access for horses. The current can be strong in certain sections of the river. Riders should prepare for limited cell service throughout the forest area. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with the best riding typically available from late spring through fall when ground conditions are dry and stable.
"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"
"Recommend the on site ATVrental lots of trails to ride"
"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."
"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"While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."
"The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location."
from $61 - $95 / night
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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.
RangerWhile it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with plenty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.
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.
TravelerThe owners were constantly driving around and correcting people. Rules are okay but they were over the top. They would even stop and just stare at our site while we sat outside.. it was very odd. Also not kept up at all. The playground was old and my 30 lb dog slipped out from under the “dog park” fence because it was so high off the ground where they were allowed to be unleashed, luckily we got her and she’s ok.
GuideSmall sites but full hookups. Nice activities and mini golf. Bathrooms soso. Easy access to Otsego state park and Hartwick pines state park
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.
LegendWe have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 107 for 3 days in mid July. This is a relatively large CG, just under 100 wooded sites, which are reasonably spaced for a private CG. The CG is very clean and well maintained, but rather on the pricy side, even with all of the amenities. The roads and sites are gravel. Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site. He said they’d look into it. During the week, the CG was only about 1/3 full, but completely filled up on the weekend. AT&T coverage fair, with 2 Bars of service that fluctuated between 5G and LTE, with speeds up to 4.3 MB/s. The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location. We had marginal views of the southern and northern skies, but we were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site and Starlink was able to get speeds up to 6.5 MB/s. Unfortunately, the CG WiFi wasn’t very usable, less than 1 MB/s, even before the CG filled up.
ScoutSites not paved and entrance roads not paved!!!
Pigeon River State Forest Campground features extensive equestrian trails across 105,000 acres of wilderness in northern Michigan. Located near Vanderbilt, approximately 30 miles from Cheboygan, this region supports diverse wildlife including one of Michigan's only elk herds. Camping areas remain open from April through October, with water from hand pumps typically available May through September.
Trail riding exploration: The forest contains over 80 miles of designated bridle paths through hardwood forests and meadows. "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," notes Ian R. about Pigeon River State Forest Campground.
Sinkhole viewing: Several natural sinkholes are accessible within the forest boundary. "Lots of awesome sink holes to swim in, and even elk sightings. If you can manage to find this place, you will love it," shares Kate K. about the geological features throughout the state forest.
Kayaking opportunities: Rivers in the region provide excellent paddling routes. "Judy is lovely. River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak," reports Sue R. about Sturgeon Valley Campground, which offers convenient river access for paddlers bringing their own equipment.
Riverfront camping spots: Sites adjacent to moving water are particularly popular. "The best place to camp is right on the river which is lovely to fall asleep to at night," recommends Halie C. about the prime locations at Pigeon River State Forest Campground.
Peace and seclusion: The remote nature of camping in this region offers genuine wilderness experiences. "Great campground. Small in overall size for more peaceful, enjoyable quietness. Sites along the River. Clean and well taken care of by DNR," writes Kat S. about Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest supports diverse animal populations. "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," reports Kate K., noting that these locations provide excellent opportunities for spotting local wildlife.
Cell coverage limitations: Most forest areas have minimal or no cellular service. "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," advises Aaron T. about the practical considerations when visiting remote camping areas.
Insect preparation essential: Ticks and other insects can be abundant during warmer months. "The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks," warns Ian R. about the Shingle Mill Pathway area.
River conditions vary: Water levels and currents can change throughout the season. "Me 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," cautions Paul C. at Chandler Hill Campground.
Water safety precautions: Riverfront sites require additional supervision for children. "I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under," advises Paul C. regarding camping directly on the Pigeon River due to strong currents.
Activity planning: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation options. "They just updated their playground area as well!" notes Holly K. about Gaylord KOA, which provides structured activities approximately 35 miles from Cheboygan.
Site selection considerations: Choose locations based on family needs and equipment. "You can pick sites on the river or back by the woods. There are vault toilets and a well for water. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground," explains Lydia T., describing the various options available at Pigeon River State Forest Campground.
Site conditions and access: Most rustic equestrian camping areas have varying grades and surfaces. "I've seen people tenting and I've seen people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large RVs," observes Lydia T. about the accommodations at Pigeon River State Forest.
Hookup availability: Forest campgrounds typically lack electric and water connections. "Entire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets," explains Vaughn S. about the facilities at Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground, requiring RVers to be self-contained.
Seasonal considerations: Gravel or dirt access roads may present challenges during spring thaw or heavy rain periods. Sites are generally best accessed from late spring through early fall when ground conditions are most stable for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cheboygan, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cheboygan, MI is Pigeon River State Forest Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cheboygan, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Cheboygan, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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