Equestrian Camping near Mullett Lake, MI

Pigeon River State Forest Campground provides rustic camping in a secluded forest setting near Mullett Lake, Michigan. The campground features sites along the Pigeon River with vault toilets and hand pump water sources. Summer temperatures range from 65-85°F during day and 45-60°F at night, with blackflies and ticks active from late May through August. Most equestrian trails remain open from May through October, with seasonal closures during spring thaw.

What to do

Hiking and biking on Shingle Mill Pathway: The trail runs directly through Pigeon River State Forest Campground providing a 10-mile loop for various skill levels. "The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table," notes Lydia T.

River activities: Float or fish in the local waterways throughout the region. "The river is also great for fly fishing and floating down if you decide to bring a tube. The best place to camp is right on the river which is lovely to fall asleep to at night," reports Halie C.

Trail riding with horses: Access extensive bridle paths directly from Sturgeon Valley Campground in Wolverine. "River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak," writes Sue R. This campground offers additional river activities beyond horseback riding.

Swimming in sinkholes: Natural swimming areas formed by geological depressions are scattered throughout the forest area. "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.

What campers like

Riverside campsites: Sites positioned along water offer natural soundscapes and fishing access. "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," advises Paul C.

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites in the area's campgrounds. "Nice campground. Small in overall size for more peaceful, enjoyable quietness. Sites along the River. Clean and well taken care of by DNR," shares Kat S.

Dispersed camping options: For those seeking more solitude, numerous backcountry sites exist throughout the region. "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," explains Kate K.

Trail connectivity: Direct access to hiking and riding paths from campsites ranks high with visitors to Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground. "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," notes Vaughn S.

What you should know

No cell service: Most forest campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. "Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service," advises Aaron T., while another camper adds, "Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away."

Tick precautions needed: Multiple visitors report significant tick populations, especially during summer months. "The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks," warns Ian R. who backpacked through the area.

Campsite selection strategy: For equestrian camping at Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground, understand the site organization. "A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8," explains Lydia T.

Water conditions: Rivers in the area can have strong currents that may be unsuitable for young children. "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," cautions Paul C.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some private campgrounds offer more developed recreation facilities. At Chandler Hill Campground, "They just updated their playground area as well! We've camped here for two years in a row and we LOVE it! Everyone is so friendly," reports Holly K.

Water safety considerations: Assess river conditions before allowing children to play. "The current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under," advises Paul C., emphasizing safety for younger campers.

Activity wristbands: At larger campgrounds, be prepared for potential extra charges for recreational amenities. "Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways," notes Kim L. about her family's experience.

Lake alternatives: For families seeking calmer waters, consider lake access points instead of rivers. "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," explains Nicole V. about Shoepac Lake.

Tips from RVers

Site sizes vary significantly: Gaylord KOA offers larger sites suitable for bigger rigs. "We 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," shares Ray & Terri F.

Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. "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," notes Ray & Terri F.

Site selection for larger rigs: At Pigeon River State Forest Campground, choose sites carefully as not all accommodate large setups. "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," advises Lydia T.

Satellite reception: Heavy tree coverage impacts satellite services. "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," reports Ray & Terri F.