Map showing campground location near Alanson, Michigan

Camper submitted image from Camp Petosega

Camp Petosega

The remote feel of this county-operated campground contrasts with its location just 15-20 minutes from downtown Petoskey. Camp Petosega sits on 1,080-acre Pickerel Lake within a 300-acre park that dates back to the 1930s as a boys camp. Emmet County took over the property in 1992, adding modern facilities while maintaining the site's secluded atmosphere. The campground accommodates RVs up to 40 feet with 90 sites offering electric and water hookups, plus five pull-through sites with full sewer connections.

Paved roads connect the camping loops, though some reviewers note rough conditions on access roads leading to the park. Sites mix gravel and paved surfaces, with newer sections in Loop E featuring less tree coverage but well-maintained facilities. Nancy W. reports being "thoroughly impressed with how clean and cared for everything was," noting clean fire pits, maintained picnic tables, and spotless restroom facilities. The newer shower building in Loop E provides individual shower rooms with concrete floors and heating.

The floating dock at the boat launch provides easy water access for fishing largemouth bass, walleye, pike, and trout. Walking trails, playgrounds, and a beach area offer additional recreation options. Reservations require a two-night minimum with rates varying by residency status and hookup level. Campers seeking additional options nearby can explore camping near Alanson or Burt Lake State Park Campground for a different lakefront experience.

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Location

Public Campground

Camp Petosega is located in Michigan

Address

11000 Camp Petosega Road
Petoskey, MI 49770

Coordinates

45.390545 N
84.741132 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 26 users
Last on 4/2/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 26 users
Last on 4/2/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 40 min from Traverse City, MI
2 hrs 15 min from Midland, MI
2 hrs 17 min from Bay City, MI
2 hrs 26 min from Saginaw, MI

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Campers regularly cited excellent facilities and well-maintained sites in a peaceful lakeside setting close to Petoskey. Some visitors experienced pricing confusion, but most found good value with modern amenities and remote atmosphere.

Ken C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jan. 3, 2026

Clean, Awesome Campground

We have stayed at Camp Petosega several times, the last was in October of 2025. Stayed in the Full hook up sites. very little traffic. Beautiful fall colors as we drove around the area. Clean bath house and nice walking areas, playground's and a beach with public park on Pickerel Lake.

Site87, full hook up, pull through

Month of VisitOctober

Samantha D.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 21, 2021

Awesome!

I would highly recommend this campground. It’s one of the best places I’ve ever camped. The employees are wonderful and down to Earth. The sites are beautiful! The site around Loop E are newer so there isn’t much coverage but they’re still really nice sizes and maintained well. The shower building in Loop E is new and one of the best showers I’ve had well camping, all concrete, nice vent fans, heater to keep you warm, detachable shower head and overhead one. The site we stayed at had a beautiful carpet of pine needles and leaves because they prefer to not blow those off. Keeps your feet and gear fairly clean that way. Water and electric at almost every single site. It’s just been perfect. They have ice and firewood at the office building. There’s some nice history to the place. Definitely come here if you haven’t already!

Site19

Month of VisitOctober

Tee D.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2021

Good county park

We stayed in the newer section of the park. The bathroom and shower facilities were great. The park is very quiet at night. Good trails to walk. Good cell (Verizon) service. A few negatives - some road noise, our site was really buggy and roads are not the best to get to the camp.

Site56

Month of VisitAugust

Carol S.

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 12, 2021

Nice park, but

When we called he said the fees were $35 & $40. After we got set up he said the fee was $50! I asked why and he said because we are only staying one night!

Trevor P.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Great stay in Northern Michigan

The best place to camp in northern Michigan. Should be more well known.

Dom S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2019

A beautiful county park

A little known gem on Pikerel lake. Camping and a beautiful beach with a playground for kids.

Dom S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

Great local gem

Lots of improvements over the years. This hidden gem is great for those in the community that want to get away, but yet is still close to home.

Ryan G.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2018

Love this place and the lake it’s on

Pickerel lake views are the best. The houses and cabins have beach views. The campground is off the water a small walk but very nice sites with different hookup options. Can accommodate large RVs in the drive through lots and the smaller sites have nice privacy.

Month of VisitAugust

Nancy W.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2017

Great Find!

This park is operated by Emmet County and offers a very remote feel yet it is only 15-20 minutes from Petoskey, Michigan. Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga sits on the 1,080 acre Pickerel Lake and has 90 campsites which offer electricity and water and five of which are pull-through sites with sewer hook-up. There are also rental cabins, playgrounds, a recreation hall and pavilion, a canoe/kayak launch, basketball court, hiking trails, beach area, restrooms/shower house, and it has various events like pancake breakfasts throughout the year.

You really get a feel of remote peacefulness here but have the luxury of pretty modern facilities. As we drove to the park we got the feel that we were in the middle of nowhere but realized from downtown Petoskey it was only a 15-20 minute drive. The 300-acre park dates back to the 1930’s and started as a boys camp where young men learned various skills like archery, shooting, tennis, orienteering, camping, and aviation. Emmet County purchased the property in 1992 and added modern facilities and opened it to the public.

The grounds and sites were very well maintained. We were thoroughly impressed with how clean and cared for everything was. Despite having lots of green space and open fields for lawn games it was all mowed and not overgrown. There was no trash at the sites and fire pits were clean and picnic tables were in great shape. The roads throughout the park are paved. Sites were a mix of gravel and paved but all ADA accessible sites and pull through sites were paved. The restrooms were very clean and seemed large enough to handle the volume of campers. Showers are in individual rooms across from the restrooms and were also clean.

You can reserve a site by filling out a reservation request online or calling. There is a two night minimum. The price was $22/night for Emmet County residents, $25/night for non-county residents, and $30/night for a full hook-up pull-thru. There is also a $10 reservation fee. Sites vary among 30 and 50 amp so be sure you reserve one that fits your needs. There are also some sections that are RV only.

The canoe/boat launch has a floating dock that extends into the lake that makes for easy access. Fishing is popular in the lake with game species like largemouth bass, walleye, pike and trout being favorite target species.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqbMWvL2GLw

Month of VisitJune

(16) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Camp Petosega look like and what facilities are available?

Camp Petosega offers 90 campsites with electricity and water, including five pull-through sites with sewer hookups. The campground sits on the shores of 1,080-acre Pickerel Lake and features a beautiful beach area with a playground for children. The newer section (Loop E) has modern bathroom and shower facilities. While Loop E sites have less tree coverage, they're well-maintained and spacious. The campground also provides walking trails throughout the property. Overall, the setting offers a remote, natural feel while still providing essential camping amenities.

What are the prices and fees for camping at Camp Petosega?

Camp Petosega's camping fees range from $35-50 per night depending on the site type and length of stay. Pull-through sites with sewer hookups may cost more than standard sites with just electricity and water. Be aware that single-night stays might incur a higher rate. For the most accurate and current pricing information, it's recommended to contact Emmet County Parks directly before planning your trip.

Where is Camp Petosega located and how do I get there?

Camp Petosega is located on Pickerel Lake in Emmet County, Michigan, approximately 15-20 minutes from Petoskey. The campground offers a remote natural setting while still being conveniently close to town amenities. Some campers note that the roads leading to the campground are not in the best condition, so drive cautiously, especially with larger RVs. The campground's location provides a perfect balance of seclusion and accessibility, making it ideal for those wanting to escape while staying close to civilization.

What do visitors say about their experience at Camp Petosega?

Campers consistently praise Camp Petosega as a hidden gem in northern Michigan, with many considering it one of the best camping destinations in the region. The lakefront location is highly appreciated, particularly for the beautiful views of Pickerel Lake. Visitors enjoy the quiet atmosphere, especially at night. The shower buildings and facilities in the newer section receive positive feedback for their cleanliness and quality. Some minor drawbacks mentioned include occasional road noise, bugs at certain sites, and rough access roads. The park's ongoing improvements over the years have been noticed and appreciated by returning visitors.

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