Johannesburg, Michigan sits at the northern edge of Michigan's Lower Peninsula within the Pigeon River State Forest area. Elevations average 1,200 feet above sea level in this forested region with cold winters and warm summers. Most rustic camping options near Johannesburg have limited or no cellular service, creating a true disconnect from everyday technology.
What to do
Elk viewing excursions: While camping in the Pigeon River State Forest region, elk viewing becomes a highlight activity. Town Corner Lake State Forest Campground offers excellent access. "Elk viewing on the way in," notes a camper, while another mentions seeing "an elk while driving around the area."
Kayaking on smaller lakes: Many camping areas feature small, scenic lakes perfect for paddling. "The lake was absolutely beautiful and super blue and clear," reports one visitor to Clear Lake State Park Campground. Another notes it's "perfect for a paddle or morning swim" with water that's "crystal clear and has beautiful turquoise waters."
Hiking trail networks: Several campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. At Hartwick Pines, visitors appreciate "side trails that are less traveled so you rarely see anyone else." The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through Pigeon River Campground, making it "ideal for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking."
What campers like
Well-spaced sites: Many state forest campgrounds offer privacy between sites. At Round Lake State Forest Campground, "sites are spaced out, several trails, and a beach to swim at." Similarly, campers note Pickerel Lake offers sites with "a good deal of privacy and the bathrooms are placed well throughout the campground."
Rustic camping with basic amenities: Visitors appreciate the balance between wilderness and basic facilities. "Pit toilets and pump well. Most sites are on the lake and there is a boat launch," notes one camper at Town Corner Lake. Another camper at Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground appreciates the value: "Great state forest campground. $15 per night can't be beat. Sites are great for tents and RVs but no electricity."
Wildlife encounters: Beyond elk, the area offers diverse wildlife viewing. At Pigeon River, "coyotes were very loud and close at night keeping us awake but the experience was exciting." Hartwick Pines visitors report seeing "deer, turkey, eagle, birds, and of course chipmunks."
What you should know
Limited cellular coverage: Most rustic sites have minimal connectivity. One camper advises about Pigeon River State Forest Campground: "Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service." Similarly, at Town Corner Lake: "Looking for something off the beaten path? Well, here it is (if you can find it)."
Variable site conditions: Site quality can differ significantly within campgrounds. At Otsego Lake State Park, "Check in nobody around signs said use yellow phone on board... Never had a camp site so out of level." Another camper notes "several [sites] can be uneven. Be sure to read the site descriptions."
High tick population: Ticks present a real concern in this region. A hiker at Pigeon River observed "the only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks." Another camper at Big Bear Lake mentioned: "There seem to be a lot of ticks."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly biking routes: Several campgrounds offer safe cycling paths for children. Otsego Lake State Park Campground features a "nice paved path through the campground, great for kids riding bikes around camp. They also have a playground with a cool old fashion slide." Another visitor calls it a "great bike riding park for little ones."
Beach access considerations: Not all beaches are equally family-friendly. At Round Lake, there's a "little beach, (no pets allowed at the beach)." Meanwhile, Otsego Lake County Park has a "sandy beach, updated playground and good boat launch."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer play equipment. The playground at Otsego Lake County Park is described as "the classic old playground with swings and slides and some big tires to climb on." Gaylord KOA offers "jump pillow and mini golf" though some note an "additional fee for kid to get wrist band."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations at rustic sites: Many state forest campgrounds have restrictions on RV size. While Big Bear Lake can accommodate some larger units with "sites that can fit large rvs," more remote sites like Town Corner Lake are less accessible for big rigs.
Leveling challenges: Uneven sites present difficulties. At Gaylord KOA, campers noted: "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." Similarly, at Otsego Lake State Park: "Site 52 and sites in immediate area was over 12" out of level from front to back."
Hook-up availability: Electric and water connections vary widely. Clear Lake State Park offers "electricity, full bathrooms with showers, private beach access" while most state forest campgrounds provide only "vault toilets and hand pump wells for drinking water" with "no electricity."
