April 2023, campsite #1, weekdays-weekend, 4 nights
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| Picnic area in Pigeon River State Forest Campground |
Arrival and registration
This campground could not be found on google maps or on our GPS, although the Pigeon Bridge State Forest campground showed up. We arrived from the south, and entered the Discovery Center/ranger station (both in the same location; next to each other) into our GPS. The river state forest campground signs were visible after we passed the ranger station. This campground is about 5 miles down a dirt road after passing Pigeon Bridge Campground. It is a state forest campground with self-registration and payment by cash or check. The cost was $20 per night.
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Campsite #1
Two riverfront campsites were occupied when we arrived on a Wednesday. We gladly snagged spacious and grassy campsite #1 on the river. The two occupied sites have a bit more open river view than site #1; however, campsite 1 is the only roomy site. All of the other riverfront sites are very shallow, and the trailers were parked parallel next to the road.
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Campsite #1 in Pigeon River State Forest Campground from across the river Below: The beavers were busy behind campsite #1! |
When you enter the campground, campsite 1 is straight ahead, and most of the other sites are down the road to the left. There are only three campsites to the right at the bottom of the entrance road--one shallow site on the river, and two across the road. We observed many beaver downed trees, although we never saw any beavers.
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| Artesian well in Pigeon River State Forest Campground |
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| Bridge and picnic area in Pigeon River State Forest Campground |
Recreation: fishing, kayaking, hiking...
There is a small picnic area on the river a short walk away from our campsite. This area has a couple of parking spots, two picnic tables, and a charcoal grill. ShingleMill Pathway is accessible from this area.
The river and spring fed lakes were busy with fisherman a few days after we arrived, as it was the opening of trout season. Restrictions for fishing in the lakes are posted at each lake.
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| Photos from ShingleMill Pathway hike |
ShingleMill Pathway is accessible from the campground, and this was a beautiful hike. We walked to the picnic area, and got on the trail there.
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| Photos from ShingleMill Pathway hike |
We hiked the pathway two different days. The northern section has a lookout bluff, and it goes past several spring fed lakes. The southern section goes along the river for aways, passes through Pigeon Bridge State Forest campground, and past the Discovery Center. Each hike was around 7 miles, and both hikes were pretty easy.
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| Above: one of the worst obstructions on ShingleMill Pathway Below: trail access across from the picnic area in the campground |
We encountered a few areas of the trail with fallen trees we had to maneuver around, although it was not anything too serious.
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| Pigeon River from ShingleMill Pathway just north of Pigeon Bridge campground |
Information at the Discovery Center says Pigeon River is a challenging river with a kayak or canoe. We did not see anyone paddling during our stay. The following information is posted under recommended trips for Pigeon River:
Old Vanderbilt to Ford Lake Rd.
Pine Grove to Pigeon River Rd.
Pigeon Bridge to Pigeon River Rd. 10 hour trip with multiple portages north of Ford Lake Rd.
Misc. and overall
We loved this campground and hope to visit again in the fall. Elk are common in this area, and are usually more visible in fall when mating. There are several designated viewing areas near the campground. We found plenty of elk scat during our hikes, although we did not see any elk.
Cell reception is pretty much non-existent in this entire area. My service with Spectrum usually had SOS only, and my husband did not have any service with Mint/T-mobile.
Let me know if you have any questions, or info to add!
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