Otsego Lake State Park

7136 Old 27 S.
Gaylord MI, 49735

989-732-5485
TTY/TDD711 (Michigan Relay Center)

62 (Acres)

Required

The park is located just south of Gaylord on Otsego Lake and is known for its half-mile sandy beach, popular boat launch, lakeside picnic area and campground.
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Otsego Lake State Park, located near Gaylord and easily accessed from I-75, is home to 62 acres of lakeside recreation. The 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.

After a day on the lake, the seasonal park store is a popular destination for visitors to get ice cream and enjoy the sunset over the lake.

Campgrounds

Otsego Lake-Mini Cabin
800-447-2757
(1)
Otsego Lake-Modern Campground
800-447-2757
(155)

About the Area

View Online Visitor's Guide

The park is located just south of alpine-themed downtown Gaylord, known for shopping, dining and the popular Alpenfest in July.

The area is a year-round destination renowned for its golfing, snowmobiling and skiing opportunities.

Activities (Display as List)

Biking Item is accessible.
Biking: From the park, visitors can access the bicycle-friendly Iron Belle Trail, which runs past the park along Old Highway 27.
Boat Rental Item is accessible.
Boat Rental: 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.
Fishing Item is accessible.
Fishing: 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 Item is accessible.
Metal Detecting: Metal detecting: Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreation activity when it is conducted in ways that neither damage natural and cultural resources in Michigan state parks nor violate applicable state statutes. This park map clearly shows where this activity can take place. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation. Areas located within the campground are limited to registered campers only.
Paddling Item is accessible.
Paddling: Paddling is a great way to explore Otsego Lake. Launch from the boat launch in the day-use area.
Snowshoeing Item is accessible.
Snowshoeing: There are no groomed trails within the park; however, people sometimes snowshoe around the campground.
Swimming Item is accessible.
Swimming: A designated, universally accessible beach and 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 accessible swim area is available to the north of the day-use area.

Facilities (Display as List)

Beach House Item is accessible.
Beach House: 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.
Boat Launch Item is accessible.
Boat Launch: 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.
Concession/ Store Item is accessible.
Concession/ Store: 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.
Fishing Pier Item is accessible.
Fishing Pier: There is a universally accessible fishing pier, open seasonally, located near the boating access site in the day-use area.
Mini Cabin Item is accessible.
Mini Cabin
Modern Restrooms Item is accessible.
Modern Restrooms: Modern restrooms, open seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, are located inside the beach building in the day-use area on Otsego Lake.
Picnic Area Item is accessible.
Picnic 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.
Picnic Shelter Item is accessible.
Picnic Shelter:

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.

Playground Item is accessible.
Playground: 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.
Sanitation Station Item is accessible.
Sanitation Station: 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.
Vault Toilet Item is accessible.
Vault Toilet: Vault toilets are located in the day-use area near the boat launch.
Water Access Item is accessible.
Water Access: 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.