Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area
Michigan State Park
Write a Review 7800 Gale Rd. Waterford, MI 48327 248-666-1020 Reservations: 800-447-2757 Official WebsiteGPS: 42.6859, -83.4714
Overview of Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area
NOTE: Due to a planned park enhancement project to upgrade the electrical system, Pontiac Lake Recreation Area’s modern campground is temporarily closed through at least July 9, 2023.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: Michigan Recreation Passport
Last Price Paid: $24
Reported by Natgeo_vagabond on 11/6/2022
Longest RV Reported: 25 feet
Reported by Airstream/Camping through my Eyes on 3/31/2017
Number of Sites 176
Pad Type asphalt
Reservations yes
Elevation 1,017 ft / 309 m
Max Stay 15
Max Length 40 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 248-666-1020
camper-747612 asked on 9/16/2022
Do I need to buy at Michigan Recreation Passport for a one night stay at Pontiac Lake State Park, I’m from out of state.
Reviews of Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area 6 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 3/1/2020
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 11/6/2022
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 9/15/2020
“Arrived Late”
Reviewed 11/6/2022
| Nightly rate: | $24 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 80 |
Overall Rating
Wanted to take my nephew camping for his birthday but family issues caused us to not arrive until 9pm. It was quiet and no issues. I was right next to the playground for my nephew and the field by it was great for the dogs to play fetch. Would try here again.
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AT&T 4G
Natgeo_vagabond would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent SE Michigan Camping”
Reviewed 9/15/2020
| Nightly rate: | $22 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 19 |
| RV Length: | 17' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Would stay again. Quiet hours at all times and no generators were going (all sites have electric). Stayed while we spent the day at Pontiac Lake playing at the beach.
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T-Mobile 4G
oldwhitetahoe would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Watch the sites and the web sites they say level but not all are”
Reviewed 3/1/2020
| Nightly rate: | $28 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | 10 |
Overall Rating
Great park clean plenty for kids to do. Be careful of the sites, some say they are level but they are not. Plenty of horse trails or hiking.
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Verizon 4G
Bigdogs011 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Best State Park in the Area”
Reviewed 8/18/2019
| Nightly rate: | $22 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 15 |
| RV Length: | 24' (Truck Camper) |
Overall Rating
The campsites range from completely shaded to full sun. Some have nice separation from other sites and others seem to be set up for groups of campers. Make note that some of the sites are seriously sloped and would be problematic for rigs with even the best of a leveling system. It seemed a good number of the sites in the east campgr... more
The campsites range from completely shaded to full sun. Some have nice separation from other sites and others seem to be set up for groups of campers. Make note that some of the sites are seriously sloped and would be problematic for rigs with even the best of a leveling system. It seemed a good number of the sites in the east campground didn’t have electric hookup and the ones that did, the pedestal was unreasonably far from the camping pad. Read up on the site descriptions.
If the campground had a camp host, I never saw them in the two weeks I spent here. I never saw anyone checking the sites for cleanliness and I would occasionally see trash left behind by campers that may be there until a new resident came in. This was a stark contrast to the Ohio campground (Findley State Park) I was in previously that had a high host-presence and was meticulously kept. There is one bathhouse for each of the two campgrounds, east and west. The showers were individual and seemed to be reasonably clean.
I only saw dumpsters at the entrance to the campground which may account for people leaving trash at their sites – not that it’s an excuse. Same thing for dog waste stations, I saw one in the west campground and I saw more than one person fail to pick up after their dogs.
My biggest complaint would have to be that there is only one dump station. If you leave on a Sunday, plan on a potential lengthy wait if you need to dump tanks.
The website said to take “Campground Road” off of Teggerdine. The road to take is Maceday road.
I did have 2 bars of Verizon coverage and I had a couple of calls drop out but…it’s the first Michigan park I’ve stayed at in this area that I could even make a call.
The price per night is $22 but you also have to have a Recreation Pass which, for non-residents is $32. If you have a tow car, the price for your stay for the tow car is $7 – not $7/night. I stay in Michigan every year and every year I do battle over this policy until the person checking me in calls someone above them for clarification.
Lots of shopping nearby - the Kroger's is great for all grocery/beverage needs.
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Verizon 4G
Ponderosa Max would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Love this Campground”
Reviewed 7/26/2018
| Nightly rate: | $20 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 19 |
Overall Rating
Its like being way up north but close to suburbia. The campsites are wooded, large or grassy and large. Well groomed, well maintained park and a beautiful beach too. Good cell service too. Only downside is the dump station - it takes at least two hours because everyone has to leave by 1:00 on Sunday. They need to add more dump stati... more
Its like being way up north but close to suburbia. The campsites are wooded, large or grassy and large. Well groomed, well maintained park and a beautiful beach too. Good cell service too.
Only downside is the dump station - it takes at least two hours because everyone has to leave by 1:00 on Sunday. They need to add more dump stations.
MareBear would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Private”
Reviewed 3/31/2017
| Nightly rate: | $20 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 50 |
| RV Length: | 25' |
Overall Rating
I love going to Pontiac Lake. The mature trees and private spots are perfect.
Airstream/Camping through my Eyes would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- boat ramp
- boat rental
- fishing
- picnic area
- playground
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- dog run
- dump station
- group sites
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- dog run
- pets
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