Pickerel Lake Road is one of the most interesting roads in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. It departs from the paved Sturgeon Valley Road and climbs through a deep woods before breaking out at a scenic pull-off. Topping off at 1,080 feet is a bench with an impressive view of forested ridges and hills for miles. From there it’s a straight drop down to the Pickerel Lake State Campground that will have anybody riding shotgun gripping the dashboard while you’re worrying about the trailer you’re towing.

It’s great introduction to this state forest campground. Pickerel Lake is the most popular place to set up camp in Pigeon River Country because it’s the largest facility, featuring the best swimming, some interesting fishing opportunities and serves as the trailhead for the Pickerel Lake Pathway. Combine them all and you have a wonderful destination for the weekend.

Pickerel Lake Pathway is an easy, 2-mile loop that encircles the lake, staying within sight of the water for much of the hike. Although at times you’re hiking through matchstick forests of aspen and even an old clearcut, in the beginning the pathway skirts an interesting cedar swamp and at the north end of the lake winds past pines large enough to make any botanist pause and look up.

Maps often show a trail that connects Pickerel Lake Pathway to Green Timbers but keep in mind that this route is poorly marked and very hard to follow.