Otter Lake Camp-Resort

Not at all the Otter Lake experience we grew up with or grew to love. While understanding running a functioning business is stressful, if you work in hospitality priorities shift.

We were all so excited to return to Otter Lake, however our last trip was nothing short of disappointing. While family visited, our disabled aunt was treated horribly.

Upon explaining several times that she could not walk more than 20 ft without excruciating pain , she was still told she needed to be parked up the hill & on the other side of the campground. There was no accommodations, no empathy, no offer to shuttle her to our family’s campsite with the golf cart they spend most of their time riding around & monitoring people instead of engaging / enhancing experiences.

The animosity of the environment was intense enough we felt the need to spend time with family elsewhere for most of our stay. While amenities where fine, public areas clean, the space beautiful - the atmosphere was not welcoming.

Aside from the experience itself, the current owners were more than content talking poorly of the previous owners to our family. We have been long time friends of the previous owners, so naturally this was upsetting. However the negativity they felt free enough to spread to other campers is not only in bad taste but simply unprofessional.

There are plenty of gorgeous & hospitable campgrounds / lodgings in the area. Island Lake, the Buckhorn, Pictured Rocks Family Rentals, etc. Otter Lake unfortunately is no longer one of those. The current owners clearly only care about earning an extra buck, not about enhancing the experience of paying customers.

While once before I’d recommend this campground to friends / family visiting before anywhere else, this place has become one I’d emphasize to not waste your money on.

I spent a week there with my teenager and my 7 year old and we had a great time. It was a holiday weekend so the campground was crowded but everyone respected the rules and at night it was quiet and peaceful. The facilities are well maintained, the bathrooms were spotless, the pool was clean and the showers were also very clean. We really enjoyed our stay there and can't wait to go back again.
It's not as cheap as some other campgrounds but it's well managed and the lake is beautiful. It's worth every penny to stay here.

I’ e been camping here for nearly 47 years. Once we started at Otter Lake, we never left. Fantastic campground for all. So clean and well kept. You can tell the staff has everyone’s best interest at heart. The staff is so accommodating. All you need to do is ask. Kudos to all employees who absolutely love this place as much as we all do! ❤️❤️👍👍

Otter Lake Camp Resort is one of those places that makes you feel like you are really out in nature, but with just enough comfort that you start wondering if this even counts as camping.

The sunsets over the lake are incredible. I am talking postcard level stuff. You sit there watching the colors melt into the water and suddenly forget you were supposed to start the fire an hour ago. The campground is extremely well kept, and the bath houses are in great shape. You can tell they take pride in keeping the place clean, which is something I never thought I would say about bathrooms in the woods.

We tented it this time, which I like to call roughing it, but let’s be honest, every site has water and electric, so it is more like glamping’s practical cousin. The only real downside is the lack of privacy. You can see your neighbors from every angle. If you sneeze, five people will bless you. If you burn your hot dogs, three people will offer advice. It is friendly though, and part of the charm.

There are tons of activities for the kids, with everything from kickball to archery. The schedule is packed, so boredom is not an option. The staff is great too, friendly, patient, and always willing to help.

Getting there is an adventure in itself. The road in is winding and slow, so take your time and enjoy the scenery. Once you arrive, you might not want to leave anyway, but if you do need to grab supplies, most stores or restaurants are about twenty minutes away. That is close enough for convenience but far enough to keep the peaceful, tucked away feeling.

We lucked out and got a tent site after a cancellation, which was a win because this place fills up fast. And after staying here, it is easy to see why. It is clean, organized, and has just the right amount of nature to comfort ratio.

You can fish on the lake, and while we did not catch a thing, I watched plenty of other people reel them in like pros. Apparently, the fish have favorites, and I am not one of them.

Oh, and a fun little mystery, we looked up why it is called Otter Lake since we did not see a single otter. The story behind the name is actually pretty interesting, but I will not spoil it. You should look it up when you visit. It gave us a good laugh around the campfire.

All in all, Otter Lake Camp Resort is a great spot for families, couples, or anyone who wants to escape real life for a few days. You get amazing sunsets, clean facilities, friendly people, and maybe a lesson in humility from the fish. Even without otters, it is a keeper.

I cannot say enough about Otterlake camp resort! The campground is by far the best I have ever been to. Great activities and amenities! The staff treat you all like family. We have been coming there for the past 3 years and hope to continue for years to come. Special thanks to Mike! At our last visit, I won a picture frame playing bingo that Sandy always runs, and makes it so much fun, and I placed a photo with myself, my husband, my sister and her granddaughter in it and mailed to my sister. Well it got lost in the mail. My hubby called Mike and explained how special otterlake is to our family. My nephew used to bring his daughter there. He passed away 4 years ago and we have been visiting annually with his mother and daughter as a remembrance to him. Well, not only did Mike send us the same picture frame, he included a hat and ornament and some stickers! Thank you, Mike for going above and beyond! See you next year!