Camper submitted image from The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area - 2
Camping
Camper submitted image from The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area - 3
People
Camper submitted image from The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area - 4
Activities
Camper submitted image from The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area - 5
Nature
Unlock Planning Tools in App

Established Camping

The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

The Pines Rustic Campground in Waterloo Recreation Area is surrounded by forested terrain with numerous trails for hiking. Temperatures range from lows in the 20s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 80s during summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the Waterloo State Recreation Area and the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center.

Suggest an Edit

Location

The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

42.3260603 N
84.16325082 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Myers Lake Camping & Cabins

Myers Lake Camping & Cabins

1 hr away

Camp Agawam

Camp Agawam

1 hr 8 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets

Contact

General Info


2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%

3.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2021

Secluded and quiet but no easy access to water

Stayed here to test out new gear before a trip to Isle Royale. Severe weather made for a great experience alone as the neighbors packed up once the tornado sirens went off.

Slightly buggy with lots of tree cover. Bring a filter and/or chemical filtration in case you need water as the pump at the stables seems hit or miss. I filled up at the Baldwin Flood.

Site5
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area by Jason H., August 29, 2021
  • Review photo of The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area by Jason H., August 29, 2021
  • Play button icon
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Mar. 24, 2020

What You’d Expect

It’s exactly what you expect of a hike in rustic campsite... picnic table, no fires, water is about 1/2 mile away at the horse stables (although it must have been shut off when we were there, not cool). Bare bones, but a nice place to stop and spend the night before moving on.

  • Review photo of The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area by Mark M., March 24, 2020
  • Review photo of The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area by Mark M., March 24, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2016

Ranger Review: The Pines Campground and La Siesta Hammock

Campground review: The Pines

The Pines campground is a backpacker only campground located in the Waterloo section of the Waterloo-Pickney Trail in Chelsea, MI. Starting from Big Portage Lake trail head, it is a 15 mile hike to reach the campground or only a half mile walk if you park at the nearby horse stables. You need to register in advance either online ($20) or at the station the day of ($12). The campground offers five campsites that are not all the same sizes as each other. Each site offers a picnic table and there are no camp fires allows at this site. It has a pit toliet that has seen better days and you have to walk a half mile to the stables for water which is a negative in my book especially after hiking 18 miles that day.

Product Review: La Siesta Hammock

During my hike of the waterloo-pickney trail, I stayed at two campgrounds. One being Birch Lake Rustic campground and the other being The Pines campground. I was using the La Siesta Padded Travel Hammock for my two nights on the trail. The hammock itself packs up to about the size of a small sleeping bag, taking up about a third of my Osprey Atmos 50L pack. It also weighs around 4-5lbs dues to the extra padding and the material it is made of is parachute silk. The La Siesta brand of hammocks come with smart hooks, this provide a very quick and easy setup compared to some other brands of hammocks that require multiple straps. The padded hammock can also be unhooked at the ends and spread out to be used as a beach blanket. The reason I bought the padded travel hammock was because I thought it would help keep me warmer from underdrafts and lessen the need for an underquilt later on in the season when the temps start to drop. I got to test my hypothesis on the first night when our campsite at Birch Lake Rustic was right on the lake edge and the winds were strong. With the wind and the temperature dropping to around 55, I was a bit chilly in my hammock which I was only using a fleece sleeping bag in. The hammock did work better at keeping me warm the second night when there was little to no wind and the temperature that night was hovering close to 50 degrees. So the extra padding does help retain some warmth, it doesn't work as a replacement for an underquilt. The only other negative is that La Siesta doesn't seem to sell a rain fly or bug net for their hammocks though I did use a ENO Guardian SL bug net with the padded travel hammock and it worked fine.

Overall, I would recommend La Siesta hammocks. It is easy to setup especially after a long day of hiking. I personally would swap out the padded travel hammock for a regular one to say on weight unless you envision seeing yourself using it as a beach blanket or are a cold sleeper.

  • Review photo of The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area by Noah R., July 19, 2016
  • Review photo of The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area by Noah R., July 19, 2016
  • Review photo of The Pines Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area by Noah R., July 19, 2016
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Waterloo Pines Campground located within Waterloo State Recreation Area?

The Pines Campground is located along the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail in the Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea, Michigan. It can be accessed from two directions: as a destination approximately 15 miles from the Big Portage Lake trailhead for long-distance hikers, or more directly from a parking area that's only about a half-mile walk to the campground. The site is nestled in a wooded area with significant tree cover, providing natural shade and seclusion.

Is Waterloo Pines Campground considered a rustic campground?

Yes, The Pines is definitely a rustic campground. It features basic amenities limited to picnic tables with no electricity, showers, or running water directly at the sites. Fires are not permitted, and the nearest water source is about half a mile away at the horse stables. This bare-bones setup is intentionally primitive, offering a true backcountry camping experience within Waterloo Recreation Area.

What amenities are available at Waterloo Pines Campground?

The Pines Rustic Campground offers minimal amenities consistent with its backcountry setting. Each site includes a picnic table. Water is available approximately half a mile away at the horse stables, though this water source may be seasonal and isn't always operational. There are no fire rings or fire pits as fires are not permitted at this rustic campground. Campers should bring water filtration systems or chemical treatment options as backup for water needs, especially during peak summer months or if the pump is not functioning.

What types of camping are permitted at Waterloo Pines Campground?

The Pines Campground permits tent camping only and is specifically designated as a backpacker campground. It's designed for hikers traveling the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, not for RVs, trailers, or car camping. This makes it ideal for overnight backpacking trips, through-hikers, or those testing gear for longer wilderness adventures. Vehicle access is limited, requiring campers to hike in with their equipment.