The best camping near Otsego Lake State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Otsego Lake State Park adventure.

Discover Otsego Lake State Park's natural beauty and outdoor fun.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Otsego Lake State Park

Book externally

Public campgrounds in the park
Book externally

Stay at a public campground in Otsego Lake State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Otsego Lake State Park

100%

(131)

Elm Valley

2 sites · RVs20 acres · Suttons Bay, MI

I am 4th generation to live on our property. we are very lucky to have been able to keep 20 acres where I grew up. We are surrounded by Cherry orchards and vineyards. There are 4 wineries within a mile and the bike trail in half a mile away Boat launch on Lake Leelanau 3 miles away A boat launch on Grand Traverse Bay is 1/2 a mile awayLearn more about this land:We have a large hard pack gravel area surrounded by rolling hills and lots of trees. Our house is near by with trees in between. There is a good 60 ft between campers and each site has water and 30 amp. Their own fire pit. We are half a mile from the Leelanau Trail. 10 miles into Traverse city. 5 miles to Suttons Bay

100%

(25)

CUT RIVER CABIN AT HIGGINS LAKE

1 site · Lodging120 acres · Roscommon, MI

Learn more about this land:This cozy off-grid rustic Cut River Cabin has a Sauna 3 bedrooms and a loft that will sleep 10. 120 acres with over 1.3 miles of private riverfront on the pristine Cut River that flows out of beautiful Higgins Lake Michigan. Approximately 10 minutes/7 miles from the beaches of South Higgins Lake State Park, or the Village of Roscommon which has a full-service supermarket (Family Fare) hardware and outdoor supply stores, and a handful of restaurants. It's a great spot for a quiet retreat away from people, traffic, pollution, and the stresses of modern digital life with the closest neighbor being over 2 miles away. Enjoy the river, paddling in our canoes, fishing, and swimming. Get out in the woods by hiking or biking through nearly 2,000 acres of public state land and trails surrounding the property. Included are SNOWSHOES in the winter and CANOES in the summer The Cut River Cabin is a completely off-the-grid property that relies on solar power. Inside you will find NO TV’s, NO WiFi, and NO Modern Luxury Amenities. 😁 You WILL find solar power to charge any devices that you just can’t live without for a weekend getaway, 😉 Manual operated water well pump (Pitcher Pump), Wood Burning Stove to keep warm on them chilly nights (starter/logs included), Well-equipped kitchen with stove Due to its simple and rustic features, the cabin is most appealing to hikers, campers, and people who love the outdoors and don't mind the lack of conventional amenities. A few things included to distract you from the busy world outside are many Books, Board Games, Playing Cards.

100%

(6)

Secluded Hidden Gem in Leelanau CO

1 site · LodgingNorthport, MI

When we bought our land 7 years ago, it was on old apple orchard turned vineyard. In the time since, we have put our all into it to build a home and create a forever homestead to raise our family. To us, it’s the greatest place on Earth. We absolutely love where we live and think you will too!Learn more about this land:Newly built tiny house 2 miles south of Northport. Nestled in the woods overlooking a pond and surrounded by an organic vineyard/farm. Short walk to organic winery, 5 minute drive to quaint town of Northport, 15 minutes to Leland and Fishtown, and 20 minutes to Sutton’s Bay. The tiny house sleeps 2 on a queen sized bed in loft and another 2 on a futon on main floor. All linens are included. The kitchen is equipped with refrigerator/freezer, 2 burner hot plate, electric skillet, and coffee maker. There is water in the tiny house, but there is not a toilet or shower inside. A portable restroom is located right outside.

96%

(13)

Rocky Top "Preserve"

2 sites · Lodging300 acres · Ellsworth, MI

Grandpa Tom started this farm in the 1970's. Rocky Top Farms is a fruit farm. We grow a lot of cherries, some peaches, blueberries, elderberries, raspberries. Rocky Top hosts disc golf tournaments, music festivals, weddings, and hosts on both Hipcamp and Airbnb. We make preserves, fruit butters and salsa which ship all over the world, and are locally served in many hotels and restaurants.

100%

(7)

Limoncello Lane

2 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Charlevoix, MI

Private 9 acre property, close to popular Northern Michigan towns. Beautiful wooded view with clear field for camper or tent. Two campsites available without hookups. Private toilet on property. Rv water (with a long hose) and 30 amp hookup also available on third site. (30 amp hookup indicated by yellow stars, entrance is marked by dropped pin and flag in photos)

93%

(20)

80 acres of Secluded Camping

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Boyne Falls, MI

Learn more about this land:Tired of campground crowds? Get away from it all with complete privacy on 80 acres connected to Gaylord State Forest. Just outside of Boyne Falls, 15 min from Petoskey and close to many lakes, our property is located at the end of a dead end road. Enjoy Boyne Valley and Boyne Mountain views from easy to access private and primitive camping. Appreciate all that Northern Michigan has to offer with serene and relaxing wooded trails that can be followed onto state land (miles of hiking/ORV/Snowmobile trails). Visit nearby Lake Charlevoix, Walloon Lake, or Thumb Lake for boating/swimming/paddling, or Bear Creek Nature Preserve for additional hiking/natural areas. Choose the main meadow for van/car/trailer/RV camping, or take a short hike through the woods and over a creek to camp on the second meadow or back 40 acres (you pick your spot!). Plenty of nature to explore with quick drives to town for shopping/food. Property is 80% wooded, lots of hills, two open meadows and a beautiful flowing creek. Property map provided upon reservation.

93%

(68)

Grateful Acres

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Hello and Welcome to Grateful Acres!! I have two sites available that will accommodate both travel trailers, as well as tents. Both have 30amp RV and 120v outlets, as well as lights for late arrival setup. In the welcome Hut, you will find dry firewood for purchase, as well as a refrigerator and freezer for use by our guests. Each site has its own labeled shelf to keep your perishables fresh. Also available are organic farm fresh eggs, cold soda, and bottled water, as well as bags of ice in the freezer. At Grateful Acres we aim to make your stay with us, as enjoyable as possible. The two sites sit on 3 beautiful, quiet acres in Northern Michigan. Site #1 is flat, open, and spacious, while site #2 is a bit more enclosed and private tucked into the trees. Both sites come furnished with a picnic table, a fire ring with attached grill for cooking and 2 adirondack chairs. The Star gazing at night is absolutley Amazing!! The property is centrally located between Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Alanson. Nearby are many lakes, rivers, state forests, mountain biking trails, golf courses and ski resorts. Come on up. Stay at Grateful Acres and enjoy all that Beautiful Northern Michigan has to offer.

99%

(49)

Heart of Lake Charlevoix

1 site · RV, Tent20 acres · Charlevoix, MI

A quaint 70 acre family run horse/ hobby farm nestled in the hills of Northern Michigan, a retired couple that wanted to get away from the metro area after 30+ years in the factories and live year round were many call a four season paradise, Come enjoy what their retirement dream location has to offer! Learn more about this land: Beautiful parcel that overlooks Lake Charlevoix and the Northern Michigan hillsides, the parcel resides in a mowed hay field behind a horse farm, when you step outside your tent or camper you have a million dollar view of Lake Charlevoix, 5 minute walk to the historic ironton ferry and the Landing bar and grill, there is a state boat launch just over a mile away (perfect for kayaks) 15 minutes away from downtown Charlevoix, and 25 minutes from Boyne City with the ferry crossing. Perfect off grid solitude, there is a fire pit with provided wood, picnic table also a clean tidy outhouse on the property and fresh water can be provided in 7 gallon containers upon request Pet are allowed but please respect the property owners request and keep them within the camping sites boundaries *also host has a camper listed on rvshare and outdoorsy that can be arranged to be rented on the property as well for the full accommodation experience, just show up and camp! Get out and explore what Northern Michigan has to offer!

100%

(3)

Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort

255 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Traverse City, MI

Timber Ridge Resort is an all-season resort, located just 8 minutes from downtown Traverse City, Michigan. Guests can enjoy camping in tents, RVs, or cabins; planning events like weddings, company meetings and retreats, athletic outings; or outdoor adventures on over 60 kilometers of Timber Ridge-groomed trails and the connecting Vasa trail system. Whether you are a warm-weather fan or a cold-weather fanatic, Timber Ridge can provide you and your family with an entertaining getaway or event experience. Explore our pages to discover all “The Ridge” has to offer. Timber Ridge Resort is an all-season (that means winter too!), family and pet-friendly resort featuring an RV park, cabins, banquet facility, lodge, and miles of gorgeously wooded trails. Guests can enjoy camping in one of our four-season cabins or in their own tent or RV. We offer full hook-ups at all of our sites! While in the park, take advantage of our heated pool, playground, dodgeball court, Jump Pad, outdoor laser tag course, or some of the other amenities we offer.

100%

(1)

Bark Biter Farm near Rapid River

2 sites · Lodging, Tents20 acres · Manistee Lake, MI

This 20-acre property is surrounded by public land and is a short hike to Rapid River, which is nestled in a valley of giant cedars and white pines. The property has trails through a hardwood forest of maples, beeches and cherry trees. There is also an open meadow that boasts an abundance of wildlife. The property is secluded on a deadend two-track less than two miles from US-131 between Kalkaska and Mancelona. Torch Lake is only a 20-minute drive and Traverse City is about 50 minutes away. There is a clean porta-potty and water can be provided on request. Also, a 4-person tent can be provided at an additional cost. The campsite has a fire ring, shovel and plenty of wood for late night fires. The Raven's Nest is a cozy 12 x 16 cabin. It is an off-grid experience with a wood stove for winter adventures. The property is a work in progress, with a goal of it becoming an eco-retreat with updated accommodations. We hope you return for more adventures to see the progress. In the meantime, enjoy!

100%

(39)

pineleaf.

4 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Mancelona, MI

PLEASE DO NOT!! USE PARTRIDGE LANE THE ROAD IS A SAND TRAP YOU WILL GET STUCK!! MUST USE SECONDARY DRIVEWAY!! WHICH IS TO THE EAST OF PARTRIDGE LANE IN THE DIP THERE'S A SIGN THERE!! Pineleaf is a private setting in the forest with rolling hills and trails on the property. There's an abundance of wildlife consisting of, but not limited to bears, bobcats, porcupines and deer. It's a true nature lover's dream! For the rockhounds, there are Petoskey Stones, Emeralds, Opals and many other gems to enjoy finding among the trails and beaches. Our trails lead right off the property among the lakes and streams. All side x sides, ATVS, dirt bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, or fishing boats Welcome! We are located close to Torch Lake, Elk Lake, Otsego Lake, and many more! Come enjoy Lake Michigan beaches, lighthouses, parks, restaurants, casinos, and local shopping. Nearby cities include Traverse City, Petoskey, Gaylord, and Boyne City. Pineleaf has a total of 4 campsites! 3 are primitive and 1 rustic cabin with more cabins to come in the near future. The primitive sites sleep up to 15 people and 8 tents. The cabin sleeps up to 5 guests and is handicap accessible! and can also put tents near the cabin. The camp is cannabis friendly for 21+ with id and complimentary with the exception if you dont want to smoke/cunsume cannabis its optional. No alcohol allowed at the camp but you may go up town or down to The Hideaway Bar & Grill for a bite and a drink!

Arcala Bunkhouse

1 site · Lodging40 acres · Cadillac, MI

Peaceful setting on 40 wooded acres that is located at the end of two county seasonal roads with virtually no traffic. Upon arriving at the property, you will enter through a gate and arrive to the secluded camp area with a beautiful, cozy full log cabin. The cabin has propane lighting, propane refrigerator, an antique stove with burner tops, and a free-standing propane gas stove for crisp evenings. There is a small kitchen area with a sleeping loft above and a sitting/family area at the far end of the cabin. The kitchen is equipped with pots and pans, coffee pot, dishes, and misc. utensils. *Please bring your own linens, pillows, and water. On the backside of the cabin, you'll find a peaceful sitting area with a firepit. When nature calls, there is a well-built outhouse that is available. There are trails that meander through the property for those who enjoy walking, biking, snowmobiling, or four wheeling. You won't find a more peaceful, tranquil property to relax in and enjoy the wildlife. Only 1.3 miles into Manton with several bars and restaurants. Within 3 miles you are able to gain access to State property, the Manistee River, and Chase Creek. From the trails in this area you can go as far as Houghton Lake and Fife Lake. Great area for hunting, fishing, four wheeling, dirt bikes, and hiking. This is a great getaway you don't want to miss out on!

The best camping near Otsego Lake State Park guide

Overview

About

If you’re a camping person, you’re about to be an Ostego Lake State Park person. We’ve got our eye on its impressive collection of roomy, flat, shade-boasting sites organized over 62 acres, and our heart set on the more than half a mile of lakeshore within view. Come in the fall and you’ll be courted by oaks, maples, and pines that are dressed to the nines. What else can we lure you in with? Oh—how about this park’s easy accessibility via I-75? Pack in and prepare for a pretty stellar weekend.

When to go

The best time to visit Otsego Lake State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. However, autumn also offers a spectacular display of fall foliage. Winters can be harsh, making some activities less accessible, so plan your trip accordingly to make the most of this picturesque Michigan treasure.

Know before you go

Ensure you have a Recreation Passport for park entry; it's required for all visitors.
Check trail conditions and weather forecasts before your visit to stay safe and prepared.
Accessibility varies across the park, so inquire ahead if you have specific needs.
Remember to pack out all your trash and leave no trace to preserve the park's natural beauty.
Facilities may vary seasonally, so confirm availability of amenities like restrooms and picnic areas before you go.