Otter Lake Campground has a total of 57 units and is located near Munising, Michigan, in the Hiawatha National Forest. Named for its close proximity and access to Otter Lake, the establishment offers campsites that range from dry camping only to providing water and electric hookups. There are also two dry cabins on the property that can accommodate up to four people. A bathhouse is located at the center of the campground with showers and flush toilets, as well as a laundry facility featuring two washers and two dryers. Those interested in traversing the park will find a trail from the property into the national forest that can accommodate ORVs in addition to foot traffic. Ellen, one of the campground’s owners, also mentions that the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which starts in Munising and runs 40 miles along the coast of Lake Superior, is another popular tourist attraction many guests often visit.
Next to Otter Lake and situated within the Hiawatha National Forest is Otter Lake Campground. The property has 55 campsites, with two additional primitive camping cabins that guests can reserve. Both of the cabins can accommodate up to four people and have a full-size bed and twin bunk beds. Other amenities in each cabin include a fan, heater, electric outlets, a front porch, and a fire ring, as well as a picnic table in front of the structure. With regard to the campsites, 11 are considered “rustic” or dry campsites; 38 have electricity; and 5 feature water and electric hookups. Much like the cabins, each site has a picnic table and fire ring, which people can use at their leisure. According to Ellen, one of the owners of the property, Site 13 is the most popular site as it is the closest accommodation to Otter Lake.
One particular on-site facility that is open to everyone staying at Otter Lake Campground is the bathhouse with flush toilets and showers. The building additionally has an adjoining laundry facility with two washers and two dryers for those who would like to wash their clothes. Visitors can also utilize a freshwater fill station and a dump station on the side of the bathhouse.
All guests have beach access to Otter Lake during their stay. Half of the lake is owned by the campground, while the other half is considered a part of the Hiawatha National Forest. There is a camp store on the property that sells snacks, firewood, and ice; it also rents out watercraft for use on the lake. These consist of kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddle boats, and rowboats. Patrons can also fish in the lake if they bring the proper equipment to do so, with the main catch of the lake being the Northern Pike. Ellen notes that additional amenities are the basketball court, playground, and a Gaga Ball court.
As mentioned above, the campground is found inside of Hiawatha National Forest and has a trailhead that connects with trails in the forest itself. All of these trails can accommodate ORVs such as side-by-sides, four-wheelers, and dirtbikes. Some of these trails lead to attractions within the forest, which Ellen remarks are a big draw for many to the area. The largest tourist attraction, however, according to Ellen, is the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a 40-mile stretch along Lake Superior. Starting in the town of Munising, Michigan, ten miles away, there are more trails that people can access along the lakeshore leading to additional waterfalls in addition to the notable vistas of the lakeshore.
The vast majority of guests who stay at Otter Lake Campground are there to spend time outdoors, according to Ellen, one of the owners. She says that the property has a feel of “being in the middle of the woods, but with the modern amenities to make you comfortable.” While she wouldn’t describe staying at the property as a glamping experience, Ellen does highlight that patrons still have the ability to charge their phones or access the camp’s store for select supplies. The campground is also relatively close to Munising and other surrounding towns, with other stores and restaurants for interested guests. Some restaurants that Ellen recommends her patrons visit during their stay include the Buckhorn, Foggy’s, and Toby’s Dog House, all of which are either located in Munising or Christmas, slightly further away.
A number of positive reviews have been given by people who have stayed at the property. Many of them mention the proximity of the campground to Munising. One person comments that it is in a “perfect location to be secluded yet close to town.” Another reviewer states that “everyone [at the campground] is friendly, and they offer a lot of amenities for a campground, including a small playground, kayak and boat rentals, beach, basketball courts, and more.” Ellen says that she hopes guests will feel comfortable during their stay, and she and her husband Nick try to interact with guests frequently during their stay, striving to help them feel that way. A large portion of their patronage comes from families traveling to the area in the summer with their children when school is out, which typically occurs during July and August. The park is open every year from May 1st until September 30th.
In order to create a comfortable atmosphere for every person at Otter Lake Campground, there are some policies that people are asked to follow throughout the duration of their stay. Among the most important are that guests follow the posted five-mile-per-hour speed limit when driving on the premises. Ellen emphasizes that there are often children playing in the area, and the speed limit is in place for their safety. Additionally, quiet hours are enforced from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. every day to respect the other patrons at the park. Finally, while dogs are allowed to stay with their owners, they must be kept on a leash, and no pets are allowed in either of the cabins.
Originally established as a logging camp next to Otter Lake in the late 1800s or early 1900s, Otter Lake Campground was officially started in 1972 by the Graham family. They bought the property and cleared a number of trees to create space for the property’s campsites. Following the Grahams, two other owners owned the property between the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. The current owners of the campground, Ellen and Nick Oppenheim, purchased it in 2020. Nick was an electrician by trade, and Ellen was a teacher for 11 years before deciding to buy the campground. Ellen explains that their family decided they wanted to run a campground after wanting a lifestyle change and enjoying being outdoors. “It is a fun adventure that we just kind of went off and did on our own,” she remarks. With regard to her favorite part of the job, Ellen says she enjoys meeting the large variety of people who stay at the campground and getting to know them and their stories better.
E7609 Buckhorn Rd
Munising, Michigan 49862
United States
Campground
Ellen and Nick Oppenheim
