The Department of Natural Resources announced today that the improvements to Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground, within the Pigeon River Country Management Unit, are complete and the campground is open for use. These improvements were funded with a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

The newly upgraded campground has been enlarged from 39 to 41 campsites, and has new unisex vault toilets, a new water well, and new tables and fire rings for each site. Campsites have been enlarged, leveled and resurfaced with crushed limestone, grass, and gravel. Accessible access routes between barrier free sites and sanitary facilities have been defined. This facility, located in an area of gently rolling terrain, now complies with barrier free design requirements and provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to recreate within this beautiful campground.

"We are reopening this campground now, even though it is late into the camping season, to allow hunters the ability to stay here for deer camp," said Scott Whitcomb, the DNR's Pigeon River County Unit manager.

For questions concerning this campground or other campgrounds in the area, please contact Scott Whitcomb at (989) 983-4101, or Robin Pearson, DNR recreation specialist, at (989) 732-3541, ext. 5045. Information about other camping opportunities in the state may be found on the DNR Web site, at www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails.