Otsego Lake State Park Campground

We visited in mid-October. The campground was fairly empty. One complaint we had was that most of the electrical outlets are shared between 2 or 3 sites. The location of the connection point for our site 75 is on the left side of site 77 and our cable could not reach. (See photo). The other issue is that the campground is very close to the main road and you can hear the traffic. Otsego Lake is a pretty big lake and there is a beach area and even a dog beach section. There is a playground area that also has a small baseball field. There are two water fill stations as you enter the park, which is a good idea (also water and two dump stations on the exit side).

Visited Otsego Lake SP during May and the gnats were relentless. Literally millions by our tent and fire. It was cold so didn’t get to check out the lake but the bathrooms are horribly outdated. This park needs a face lift asap. If you’re going to stay here. Go for site 63 or 64. Gives you lake access

We bailed out early on our UP vacation, and needed a place to stay - this SP won.  Based on the map, we expected the camping equivalent of an old Motel 6:  that's what we got.  We stayed in the far north loop, site 53.  Nothing on this side of the park loop road is even remotely level.  Power is a single outlet station per 2 campsites, ours was on the left (passenger) side of our camper.  We had to practically park in the site next to us as our power cord is not infinitely long.  Sites are really close together.  The park was pretty packed (trailer+3 cars in many sites - wha???), and made for difficult driving on the road.  The shower house/bathroom was clean, but really old - lots of chipped tiles, janky showers, poor lighting.  Beach area on the North Loop was also less than spectacular.  Again, this was just a place for us to stay a single night, and it served that purpose well.  Would not go back again, unless I was in the same situation.

Site 52 and sites in immediate area was over 12” out of level from front to back. Looked like our camper was doing a wheelie. Check in nobody around signs said use yellow phone on board. Is this safe during covid? I called 800 number listed on board on cell phone the lady was mad and said I had to use yellow phone. Another lady used yellow phone and couldn’t hear the person on the other end. Just a bad system. Never had a camp site so out of level. You can’t see slopes or grades in the reservation pictures.

This is a state park so the main attraction is the location. It’s on Otsego Lake and has a really nice beach and swimming area. They also have a fishing pier and boat launch. It’s close to Gaylord and the city Elk Park. Bathrooms were in ok condition but not great. Most of the sites were dirt sites. The couple nights we stayed here there were storms so some of the sites had a river running through them including ours. Not too bad of a campground though for a state park.

Stay in the south lot for a larger sight, the main park is nice, good play area for the kids and nice boat launch

This is a very pretty and well maintained family oriented State Park Campground that's situated on the southern shores of Lake Otsego. About 10 minutes from Gaylord. The lake has that touristy up north lake vibe. Campground is heavily used Memorial day through Labor day. No issues getting a data signal for my phone (T-mobile 5G).

If you're looking to get away from people, this isn't the campground for you. I personally prefer a more of a rustic, the less people the better, type campgrounds.

Beautiful park. Every worker was extremely kind and helpful. The bathrooms and showers were clean as was the whole park. Will be coming back here for sure!

Without a doubt this is one of our favorite campgrounds.  It's a bit older, so the campsites are quite large compared to modern campgrounds.  There are huge trees throughout, easily navigable roads, etc.  There are two sections to the park, one a bit smaller with a gorgeous new bathroom.  The other larger section has older facilities, but clean. There are a couple beaches here, some more popular than others.  Since there is a boat launch, kayak rentals, and small café at this state park, it can get busy in the public area during the summer.  The campground is along a paved bike path.  It's not far from the closest town, which has a couple restaurants, shops, etc.  The only drawback to this park is that it abuts a very busy road and can have a fair amount of road noise if you're on that side.

Beautiful scenery. Decent sized sites. We had a blast! Would recommend.

We love this park, great lake, small comfortable park and safe! Great bike riding park for little ones.

Got into the park late (around 1030) but it was a great clear night. Spacious campsites with both a bench and picnic table. Bathroom with showers was clean. Great views and access to the lake but much closer to Hwy 27S than we thought...could hear cars starting in the AM. Also the Park Ranger Sam was very nice and stayed open a few minutes past close so we were able to register. Thanks!

A nice park that has a lot of amenities. Basketball court, volleyball net, fishing pier, and bike trails. Bathrooms were kept neat and tidy. Showers were clean and water was hot. Camp staff were friendly and around to answer any questions. Some cons to the state park. The sites are close together, which is to be expected with modern sites. If you want super quite this place won’t be that, there is a busy road old 127. Though the place has a lot of options and things to do. Fishing, biking , boating, and playing at the beach.

Otsego Lake is a great campground. It's quiet for a state park, and the sites are roomy. The sites on the outer perimeter have large trees and some have water views. The lake is clean, and in addition to the main beach there is a dog beach and multiple access points away from the crowds. The bathrooms were older but clean and well-maintained. 

There is some easy hiking on the other side of the lake, at Pine Baron trails. We also enjoyed going to nearby Gaylord for mini golf, restaurants, and an elk park.

One of my favorite campgrounds. Sites are nice and large with established trees. Be sure to read the site descriptions as several can be uneven. Bathrooms are new on the smaller side of the park.

We have been camping here for many years and love it every time. This is the first we'd camped in the fall and enjoyed the solitude. During the summer months it is very busy (especially on weekends) and difficult to get a site unless you reserve well in advance. The sites have been enlarged with plenty of space per site. Most of the sites overlook the lake. It appears the park is upgrading its restrooms with one new, one relatively new and one older one. We enjoy the central location to places we like to visit. We went to the Straits one day, picnicked in a state forest one day, shopped in both Gaylord and Grayling. It's also central to some of the best trout streams in the eastern U.S.

The downside is the sites are all sand. This is a problem when it rains. No matter how hard you try to clean your shoes, you end up tracking in wet, dirty sand.

Electric and water hookups. Dump station onsite. The bath houses are well maintained.

A great campground about 20 min south of gaylord, on otsego lake, as with most michigan state parks they have nicely taken care of campsites and easy access to bathrooms, the beach from our site was a little bit of a hike but there was easy access to the lake via stairs, electrical is available and there was a good combination of rvs and tents so all are welcome, they offer actinities for kids on the weekends, and they usually have holiday happenings

Nice paved path through the campground, great for kids riding bikes around camp. They also have a playground with a cool old fashion slide. As far as state parks go, I rate this campground a well although personally I'd prefer a quieter national forest campground with fewer people.

This campground is great for families and people in groups. Book far in advancs though. A ton of spots and well maintained amenities (bathrooms, beach area, small general store). Closed during the winter. The large beach area is not dog friendly but at the north end there is a dog designated area for lake access. The lake itself is nice (one of the shallowest in the area), great for boating (motorized and non). There isn’t any hiking in the state park. You’re close enough to town for other activities.

Otsego Lake provides a needed escape from the city while still being close enough to a happening town that one can camp and get into town for a nice dinner. The lake and campsite are clean. Michigan state parks can't be beat.