Otsego County, located in central northern Michigan and home to Otsego Lake in Gaylord, Michigan, offers outdoor recreation all year round. Located less than an hour south of the Mackinaw Bridge, Otsego County is fast-growing and home to more than 20,000 people. Several campgrounds, all situated on lakes, make Otsego County another place to vacation and enjoy the outdoors.
Otsego Lake
Otsego Lake is the county's largest lake and home to Otsego Lake State and County Parks. The state park offers 155 campsites and some cabins to stay in. It offers a beach encompassing a half mile, a children's playground, wheelchair access to the beach, and a camp store.The county park is smaller, having 80 campsites and no beach, but it does offer a swimming area. Both parks offer electricity and bath houses.
Pencil Lake
Pencil Lake, located in Mancelona, Michigan just outside of Gaylord, is a quiet lake in the residential and recreational Lakes of the North community encompassing 45 acres. Campers Village, also located in Lakes of the North, provides access to Pencil Lake and its beach. The park has 160 camping sites with electricity, fire pits and picnic tables. All sites have easy access by blacktop roads, which are great for smooth bike rides, and there are two modern bathhouses. A baseball diamond, basketball court and playground are adjacent the park.
Gaylord KOA
Gaylord's KOA campground is offered for those who prefer a swimming pool and cable TV while they camp. The park offers RV sites with pull-throughs up to 75 feet, tent sites, and cabins. The campground also has mini-golf and cycle rentals at a charge. Wireless Internet is free. The Gaylord KOA campground offers several activities throughout the season, such as arts and crafts, hayrides, candy hunts, a recreation room, two playgrounds, and more.
Pigeon River
For those who prefer rivers over lakes, Pigeon River State Forest Campground is available and located in Vanderbilt, Michigan, just north of Gaylord. The campground is small, offering 19 sites for tents and smaller trailers and is in a secluded area along the Pigeon River. There are no reservations; sites go on a first-come-first-served basis. Nearby is the Shingle Mill Pathway, a 14-mile trail for biking and hiking. The rustic campground includes water from a hand pump and vault toilets.
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground is a small Otsego County campground located in Johannesburg, Michigan. The 30 sites on the north shore of Bear Lake are available on a first-come-first-served basis; there are no reservations. Most sites are accommodating for tent and small trailer use, but 11 sites can accommodate 40-foot trailers/vehicles. The Big Bear Lake Pathway encompasses 4.5 miles and is nice for biking and hiking. This rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from a well hand pump.
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