Is Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground?

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground?

Fire policies at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground: Visitor reports indicate each site has a fire pit; no official site-specific fire policy provided in sources.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground have?

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground has 15 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground?

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

4.54

74 reviews

Featured in:Hiking Camping Michigan#1 Tent Camping Michigan#1 Primitive Camping Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

751 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan DNR

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

751 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan DNR

Get Directions

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Michigan

Provider

(231) 582-7523

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What Campers Say

4.54

Top-Rated

Based on 74 reviews

66 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanwatersites

"Visitors consistently rate Pinney Bridge highly for its quiet, well-maintained, private backcountry feel. Reviews praise privacy, spacing of sites, fire pits and picnic tables at each site, and availability of hand-pump potable water and vault toilets. The small (15-site) campground is first-come, first-served and often fills early."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

45.0167, -85.0290

Nearby places

Alba — ~5.5 miles

Best Time to Camp at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

Summer brings the best conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s and occasional low-80s days. The river is warm enough for paddling and fishing, trails stay dry, and you get long daylight hours. Bugs are present but manageable with repellent. Deer flies and ticks have been reported. The campground sees moderate crowds on summer weekends when sites fill by late afternoon.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer described as best: mild temps, dry trails, river warm for paddling and fishing.

Planning Tips

About Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

Pinney Bridge sits along the Jordan River in northern Michigan's state forest, offering 15 walk-in tent sites about 200 yards from the parking area. The campground operates first-come, first-served and fills early on summer weekends. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table, with hand-pump water and vault toilets serving the campground.

A rustic, primitive, hike-in tent campground with 15 walk-in tent sites along the Jordan River. Sites are tent-only, first-come, first-served (no reservations).

Historical Significance

The Jordan River became Michigan's first designated scenic river, though no date or additional historical context is provided in the source data.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the best conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s and occasional low-80s days. The river is warm enough for paddling and fishing, trails stay dry, and you get long daylight hours. Bugs are present but manageable with repellent. Deer flies and ticks have been reported. The campground sees moderate crowds on summer weekends when sites fill by late afternoon.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies hilly, forested terrain at 751 feet elevation in the Jordan River corridor. Hardwoods and conifers shade the sites, and the river. Michigan's first designated scenic river. Runs through the valley below. The landscape is green and lush in summer, with trails threading through the surrounding hills. Visitors fish for trout and paddle the river from this access point.

Geological RegionJordan River Valley in northern Michigan — hilly, forested state forest land along the Jordan River corridor.

Scenic ViewsWooded river corridor views of the Jordan River and surrounding northern forest.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (note: Pinney Bridge is first-come, first-served; no reservations offered)

Total Campsites15 campsites

Best CampsitesReviews don't call out specific site numbers, but visitors consistently mention the privacy and spacing across all 15 walk-in sites. Some sites require a longer carry. Up to half a mile with elevation gain. Than the official 200-yard estimate.

Amenities available

Rustic, hike-in campground with 15 walk-in tent sites. Amenities explicitly include vault (pit) toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. Reviewers note each site has a fire pit (fire ring) and a picnic table; sites are a short walk from the parking area (state notes about 200 yards). Sites are first-come, first-served and there are no reservations; camping limited to a 15-day maximum stay.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Backcountry-style tent camping with strong emphasis on hiking, fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing. The site sits on the Jordan River and provides access to multiple regional trails.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHike-in access requires carrying gear from the parking area; some reviewers report an elevation gain of roughly 50 feet and longer carry distances. Surrounding state land is open to hunting during seasons. River users should plan for potential portages on the Jordan River.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Weather at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

74 reviews

Top-Rated

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently rate Pinney Bridge highly for its quiet, well-maintained, private backcountry feel. Reviews praise privacy, spacing of sites, fire pits and picnic tables at each site, and availability of hand-pump potable water and vault toilets. The small (15-site) campground is first-come, first-served and often fills early.

Review Summaries

Based on 74 reviews

What Campers Love

Private, well-spaced tent sites; each site reported to have a fire pit and picnic table; clean vault/pit toilets and a hand-pump potable water source; strong trail access (Jordan Valley Pathway,...

Based on 74 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Pack light and plan to carry gear to sites; arrive early (several reviewers note sites can fill by late afternoon/around 5pm) as all sites are first-come, first-served; bring your own firewood or...

Based on 74 reviews

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Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.5

(106)

Graves Crossing State Forest Campground

Graves Crossing sits on the banks of the Jordan River in northern Michigan's state forest land, offering 10 primitive, first-come sites with vault toilets, potable water, and direct river access. No hookups, no reservations. The campground fills quickly on fall weekends when paddlers and anglers arrive for the color and the fishing.