State Forest · Michigan
Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 39
- Hookups
- 39 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
- Elevation
- 938 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 989-732-5485
About
This rustic campground is set against the sandy shoreline of Pickerel Lake with easy access to the scenic Pickerel Lake Pathway. There are many recreational opportunities available, including fishing, hiking, mountain biking and hunting. A small gravel boat launch, adjacent to the campground, offers access for small watercraft.
There are 39 sites suitable for tent and small trailer use. The campground is located 10 miles northeast of Vanderbilt via Sturgeon Valley Road and Pickerel Lake Road.
39 rustic campsites, $20 a night. Open all year; the road may not be plowed in winter. First come, first served; register at the campground kiosk on the day you arrive. Vault toilets and a hand-pump well for drinking water; no electricity or hookups. One camping unit and six people per site, 15 nights at most. Managed from Otsego Lake State Park (989-732-5485).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 12° | -13° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 11° | -15° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 21° | 1° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 32° | 9° | 82° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 66° | 44° | 28° | 82° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 52° | 42° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 61° | 52° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 59° | 53° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 72° | 55° | 41° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 42° | 30° | 74° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 30° | 8° | 61° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 19° | -4° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Pigeon River Bridge State Forest Campground · State Forest · 3 mi · 10 sites
- Pigeon River State Forest Campground · State Forest · 4 mi · 19 sites
- Round Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 4 mi · 10 sites
- Elk Hill Equestrian River Trail Campground · State Forest · 4 mi · 11 sites
- Elk Hill Group Equestrian Campground · State Forest · 5 mi
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.