Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground campground
Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground
Reservations are not accepted at Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to arrive early, especially during weekends and peak seasons, to secure a spot. The best time of year to visit this campground is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and hiking.
Campers should be aware that the campground is located in a bear habitat, so proper food storage is crucial. It is advised to keep all food and scented items securely stored in a vehicle or bear-proof container. Additionally, it is essential to follow all safety guidelines provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Overall, Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground offers a serene and peaceful camping experience with its beautiful natural surroundings and recreational opportunities.
What's on-site at Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) - State Forest | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Goose Creek State Forest Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Goose Creek Trail Camp - State Forest | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Upper Manistee River - State Forest | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan River Near East Jordan | 215 cfs | → |
| Boardman R Above Brown Bridge Road Nr Mayfield | 218 cfs | → |
| South Branch Au Sable River Near Luzerne | 338 cfs | → |
| Au Sable River Near Red Oak | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R At Sturgeon Valley Rd Near Vanderbilt | 95 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River At Wolverine | 320 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mancelona 0.5 Ese | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Kalkaska | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gaylord 9ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gaylord 4.1 S | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gaylord | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fife Lake 2wnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Hartwick Pines State Park
- Helena Township Park
- Craven Park
- Otsego Lake State Park
- Rotary Soccer Park
- Whitewater Township Park
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground
Can I make reservations at Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground.