Otsego Lake State Park, located near Gaylord and easily accessed from I-75, is home to 62 acres of lakeside recreation. The 62-acre park is known for its beautiful, half-mile sandy beach, designated swim beach, fishing pier, quarter-mile pathway and picnic area.
The Iron Belle Trail runs past the park entrance and offers biking, hiking and snowmobiling.
There is a popular two-lane, paved boating access site on Otsego Lake in the day-use area. Parking is available adjacent to the ramp on a first-come, first-served basis and often fills up early in the day. This is one of only two public access sites on Otsego Lake.
There is an accessible fishing pier, open seasonally, located near the boating access site in the day-use area.
The picnic area is in the day-use area on Otsego Lake and includes picnic tables and charcoal grills that are available first come, first served.
The Beach Picnic Shelter is adjacent to the beach in the day-use area on Otsego Lake and comfortably seats 50-75 people. The shelter offers a beautiful lake view, and there are picnic tables, a large charcoal grill, electrical outlets and vehicle access. Restrooms are located adjacent to the shelter in the beach building.
The Point Picnic Shelter is located in the day-use picnic area and seats up to 40 people. The shelter has picnic tables and a small grill. There is no electricity, and vehicle access is only available in the nearby parking lot 150 feet away via an accessible pathway. Restrooms are located in the beach building 200 feet away.
Shelter reservations can be made 12 months in advance at MIDNRReservations.com or by calling 1-800-447-2757.
A buoyed swim area is located in the park’s day-use area. There is an accessible boardwalk, and a beach wheelchair is available upon request, first come, first served. An additional buoyed swim area is available to the north of the day-use area.
Enjoy half a mile of sandy shoreline along Otsego Lake. An accessible pathway leads to both swimming areas in the park, and a beach wheelchair is available upon request.
The beach building is in the day-use area and includes restrooms, a park store and an attached picnic shelter from the Civilian Conservation Corps era.
From the park, visitors can access the bicycle-friendly Iron Belle Trail, which runs past the park along Old Highway 27.
Lake to Lake Rentals sells firewood, ice and souvenirs and rents kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards in the day-use area beach house Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
The 1,971-acre Otsego Lake is generally shallow, with a maximum depth of 23 feet. Fishing is considered good year-round, and species include bluegill, perch, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and sturgeon. The park has a developed boating access site and accessible fishing pier, open seasonally.
Metal detecting is allowed in certain park areas. Please consult the park map for designated locations and review applicable regulations. Only registered campers can metal detect in campgrounds.
Modern restrooms, open seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, are located inside the beach building in the day-use area on Otsego Lake.
Lake to Lake Rentals rents kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards on the day-use area beach on a first-come, first-served basis from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Paddling is a great way to explore Otsego Lake. Launch from the boat launch in the day-use area.
There is a swing set and slide on a woodchipped surface, volleyball area, basketball court and horseshoe pit located between the day-use area and campground.
The park’s sanitation station is located near the campground office and is open seasonally, typically mid-May to mid-October, weather permitting. There is potable water available and two lanes. A $10 fee will be assessed for those not camping at Otsego Lake State Park, permissible only if space is available and there is not a line of park campers waiting.
There are no groomed trails within the park; however, people sometimes snowshoe around the campground.
The modern campground is divided into two loops, the north loop and south loop. Most sites are generous in size, shaded by oaks, maples and pines, and within view of Otsego Lake. The campground is located near the park's designated swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier and a picnic area. There is 20/30-amp electrical service available on each site, and recycling is available.
Modern restrooms with showers and a sanitation station are available seasonally, typically mid-May to mid-October. When these are closed for the season, the campground becomes semi-modern and vault toilets are available along with a water spigot at the park headquarters to fill up water jugs.
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An accessible mini cabin overlooking Otsego Lake is located within the south campground loop near the stairs to the lake. The cabin sleeps five people, and there are two sets of bunk beds (one single bunk and one full-size bed with a single bunk above). You'll find a mini refrigerator, microwave and table with bench. A picnic table and fire pit can be found outdoors. The cabin has electricity and lighting but no water or heat. An accessible restroom building with showers is located 100 feet from the cabin within the campground. You must provide your own linens. Pets are not allowed in the cabin.
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While there aren't any upcoming park events listed at this time, you can check out the DNR's calendar of events.
The park also offers weekly nature programs not listed in the online calendar.
