Northern Michigan's camping sites near Elmira feature varied terrain with elevations ranging between 800-1,200 feet. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically between 70-85°F during peak camping season and cooler nights around 50-60°F. Most campgrounds within Otsego County open from May through October, though weather conditions can significantly impact camping experiences in shoulder seasons.
What to do
Beach activities at Otsego Lake: Both Otsego Lake State Park and Otsego Lake County Park offer swimming options. One visitor noted, "They 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."
Trail exploration: The region has multiple hiking opportunities, particularly at Hartwick Pines State Park which features old growth forest. A visitor explains, "There are lots of trails for biking and hiking, a day use/mucc logging museum that's kinda throughout this one area of woods. Beautiful new and old growth, a couple of nearby lakes, it was beautiful."
Petoskey stone hunting: The Lake Michigan shoreline near Petoskey State Park provides excellent opportunities for finding these unique fossils. One camper mentioned, "The beach is really nice and looks like the ocean. The water is very clear and has lots of small colorful pebbles and Petoskey rocks. We enjoyed walking up and down the beach looking for these fossils."
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer sites with good tree cover and space between neighbors. At Otsego Lake State Park, one camper explained, "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."
Family-friendly amenities: Gaylord KOA provides numerous activities for children. A visitor reported, "They had kids activities over the 4th of July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access."
Clean facilities: Many campsites maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower buildings. At Hartwick Pines State Park, a camper noted, "The bathroom and showers are very clean. The DNR Rangers are really very friendly and willing to give go suggestions on places to eat, hike and swim."
What you should know
Site conditions vary: Ground surfaces and levelness differ significantly between campgrounds. At Otsego Lake State Park, one camper warned, "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."
Seasonal challenges: Insect activity can be problematic in certain areas and times. The region experiences significant bug populations in late spring through summer.
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. Young State Park campers recommend planning ahead: "Reservations can be made on-line via the Michigan DNR site. The advantage of making reservations online is that you get a really good description of the site which includes length, width, hook-ups, amount of shade, length of site, distance to restrooms, and best of all - pictures."
Beach conditions: Water access points vary in quality and features. Some have sandy bottoms while others are rocky or pebbly.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: Several campgrounds offer playgrounds and organized activities. At Otsego Lake State Park, one visitor mentioned, "Nice paved path through the campground, great for kids riding bikes around camp. They also have a playground with a cool old fashion slide."
Choose campground sections strategically: At Otsego Lake County Park, families can select different camping experiences: "There are two sides to this campground. North side and south side. North side has much closer lots and is busier, playground nearby, beach, pavilion. South side has more covered, spacious, private sites."
Pack for variable weather: The region can experience significant temperature swings between day and night, even in summer months.
Consider proximity to attractions: Campgrounds vary in their isolation or convenience to towns. Young State Park offers a good balance, as one camper noted, "The park has a perfect location, along the Lake Michigan Shore, and about 4 blocks from downtown Petoskey."
Tips from RVers
Check site specifics: Many campgrounds have uneven sites that require leveling blocks. At Otsego Lake State Park, an RVer advised, "Sites are nice and large with established trees. Be sure to read the site descriptions as several can be uneven."
Campground roads vary: Some campgrounds have narrower access roads that can be challenging for larger rigs. Young State Park visitors noted, "The roads in the campground are pretty narrow and when someone was backing into their site it caused a traffic jam."
Hook-up availability: Full hookups are limited in the region, particularly at state parks. One exception is Hartwick Pines State Park, where a camper mentioned, "Open all year, nice park, big rig friendly, has full hookups."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with electric hookups provide sewer connections, so plan accordingly for longer stays.
