Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

Star4.72
74 reviews
Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground
StargazingFishing

Quick Facts

751 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
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

4.72

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."

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Campground Map

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

45.0167, -85.0290

Driving directionsLocated about 5.5 miles northwest of Alba via Alba Highway, M-66 and Pinney Bridge Road.
Access via Alba Highway (Alba Hwy), M-66 and Pinney Bridge Road; short walk from parking to campsites.
Nearby places
Alba — ~5.5 miles

Best Time to Camp at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5

Prime season for hiking, fishing, paddling, stargazing; reviews are highly positive overall.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Wooded valley likely attractive in fall; trails remain accessible and solitude persists.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5
Top 14% in MI

Spring fishing (steelhead/salmon) and trail access make spring attractive; reviews note April visits.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

No winter amenities or activities noted; primitive, hike-in nature limits winter appeal.

Planning Tips

    About Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

    Escape to Pinney Bridge, where 15 intimate tent sites await just a short walk from the parking area along the pristine Jordan River. This rustic hike-in campground offers the perfect blend of accessibility and seclusion, with basic amenities including vault toilets and hand-pumped potable water—all available on a first-come, first-served basis.
    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).
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    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite

    Stay Limit
    15-day maximum stay

    Amenities available

    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.
    HikingAccess to Jordan Valley Pathway (about 3 miles east, ~18-mile loop), Warner Creek Pathway (~3.75-mile loop), and the North Country Trail (about 2 miles southeast). Popular as a waypoint on multi-day hikes.
    FishingJordan River adjacent to the campground; reviewers and sources note trout fishing and presence of brown and rainbow trout, steelhead and salmon in the river.
    Boating
    Wildlife viewing
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    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.

    Weather at Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground

    Reviews

    4.7
    74 reviews
    Top-Rated
    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,...
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    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...
    Show more
    Based on 74 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    “Very beautiful campground! The tent spots were very private and well maintained.”; “Each site has a fire pit and picnic table.”; “Sites are first come first serve and were filled up by 5pm, so plan...
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    Based on 74 reviews

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    Last updated February 2, 2026
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