Waterloo Pines Campground

Open — Open year-round for hike-in camping. Limited to one-night stays for thru-hikers on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle access to trailheads.

About

Waterloo Pines Campground serves as a designated backcountry camping area for hikers on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, located approximately 10 miles into the trail system within Waterloo State Recreation Area. As Michigan's largest state park in the Lower Peninsula, Waterloo Recreation Area spans over 20,000 acres of diverse terrain including forests, wetlands, and 11 inland lakes. The Pines offers primitive, hike-in only camping with spacious sites nestled among mature trees. This rustic campground is specifically intended for thru-hikers and backpackers, with a one-night maximum stay policy to accommodate trail users passing through the area. The primitive nature of the campground means campers must be self-sufficient, bringing all necessary supplies and packing out all trash. A seasonal water pump is located at the nearby equestrian facilities north of the campground, though availability depends on the time of year. The campground's location along the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail provides access to an extensive network of hiking trails throughout the recreation area. The surrounding landscape reflects the area's history as former farmland reforested in the 1930s and 1940s, creating a mix of wooded sections and open meadows. Campers should be aware that the recreation area is open to hunting during established seasons, and the trail system is shared with various user groups in different sections of the park.

Directions

The Pines Rustic Campground is located within the Waterloo Recreation Area in Michigan. Access is primarily via the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, approximately 10 miles from the trail's starting point. For those seeking a shorter approach, parking is available at the nearby Horse-N-Around Stables, with a half-mile hike to the campground.

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