Your Guide to Pigeon River Country State Forest

One of Michigan's Wildest Places

Pigeon River Country State Forest stretches across three counties and is home to one of the largest free-roaming elk herds east of the Mississippi River. It's also one of the few places in the Lower Peninsula where you can genuinely feel like you've left civilization behind — minimal signage, spotty cell coverage, and miles of forest, rivers, and open meadows.

What's Inside the Forest

• Elk range — designated viewing areas throughout the forest, with four official viewing stations.
• Trout streams — the Black River and Pigeon River both run through the forest, offering some of the best brook trout fishing in the state.
• Trails — hiking, mountain biking, ORV routes, and equestrian trails wind through the property, including the Elk Hill Equestrian Campground.
• Wildlife beyond elk — white-tailed deer, black bear, bald eagles, turkey, and grouse are all regularly spotted.

Things to Do

Wildlife Viewing

The elk range is the headline attraction, but Pigeon River Country rewards anyone willing to sit quietly at dawn or dusk. Bring binoculars and patience — see our full elk viewing guide for the best times and spots.

Fishing

The Black and Pigeon Rivers both cut through the forest and are managed for trout. See our Black River fishing guide for access points and tactics.

Hiking & Trail Riding

Trails range from short walks to multi-day backcountry routes. The forest connects to the broader ORV trail network in the region — see our ORV trail guide for riding routes nearby.

Hunting

Elk, deer, bear, and turkey all share this same forest. See our Atlanta state land hunting guide for public land access and what to expect.

Foraging

Morel season brings foragers into these same hardwoods every spring. Our morel foraging guide covers timing and where to look.

History

Elk disappeared from Michigan in the late 1800s due to habitat loss and unrestricted hunting. In 1918, seven elk were reintroduced near Wolverine — the herd that grew from those seven animals is now managed at up to 1,150, with the Pigeon River Country established as the nucleus of Michigan's elk range ever since.