4.71110 reviewsPrice
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
39 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
39 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground (Otsego)
45.1779, -84.5177
Tent campers and canoe-kayak paddlers who can arrive Thursday or early Friday will find large, quiet sites right on Pickerel Lake, with bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout just offshore and the Pickerel Lake Pathway trail system out the back door.
No hookups, no showers, and hand-pump water only, so if creature comforts matter or you're bringing a big rig that needs electric, this camp will frustrate fast. Keep valuables locked up, too, reviewers have flagged petty theft.
Camper Report Card
Rated higher than 79% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 39 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. A means campers loved it, not that it beat other campgrounds. No star ratings.
Strengths
Watch-outs
Grades are absolute - from what campers wrote, on a fixed scale. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.
See how Michigan grades overallOfficial information for Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground (Otsego) from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
This rustic campground is set against the sandy shoreline of Pickerel Lake with easy access to the scenic Pickerel Lake Pathway . There are many recreational opportunities available, including fishing, hiking, mountain biking and hunting. A small gravel boat launch, adjacent to the campground, offers access for small watercraft. There are 39 sites suitable for tent and small trailer use. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 10 miles northeast of Vanderbilt via Sturgeon Valley Road and Pickerel Lake Road. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. View Campground closing and opening dates .
Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground (Otsego) appears in our curated guides. Explore more top-rated campgrounds for the same activities and regions.
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Summer brings the most reliable conditions. Daytime highs run low 70s to low 80s°F, nights drop into the 50s. The lake warms enough for comfortable swimming, and trails dry out for biking. Hand-pump water and the boat launch stay operational. Weekends fill up fast since all 39 sites are first-come, though the setting still feels remote. Bring insect repellent. Reviewers mention bugs as part of the trade for a lakeside forest camp.
Summer most reliable; lake warms for swimming and trails dry for biking (seasonal note).
Rustic campground with 39 sites. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. First-come, first-serve (no reservations). No electricity or showers.
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