Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area Camping Guide — Best Sites, Reservations & Tips

Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area

Oakland County · Lower Peninsula · Waterford, MI 48327

176

Campsites

3,700

Acres

From $22

Per Night

Miles of Trail

Season: April – November

Hookups: Electric

Pets: Allowed on leash

Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com

Phone: (248) 666-1020

Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

About Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area

Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area covers about 3,700 acres in Oakland County, centered on 611-acre Pontiac Lake itself. The park is a genuine multi-activity destination: a boat launch and swim beach on the lake, an 18-hole public golf course, a shooting range, and an extensive network of equestrian and hiking trails all share the property, making it one of the more full-featured rec areas in southeast Michigan.

The modern campground offers 176 electric sites in a wooded setting near the lake. It draws a mix of boaters, anglers, and trail users, with the equestrian staging area in particular making it a popular horse-camping destination.

Campground	Sites	Hookups	Best For
Pontiac Lake Campground	176 sites	Electric	Boating, families, equestrian camping

Heads up: Because the park hosts boating, golf, a shooting range, and equestrian trails all in one property, weekends can get busy across multiple activity areas — plan arrival times accordingly for the boat launch in particular.

Local tip: If you're not into golf or shooting sports, the equestrian and hiking trail network on the west side of the park offers a quieter way to explore away from the lake crowds.

Pontiac Lake & Multi-Use Trails

PHOTO PLACEHOLDER

The park's signature feature is its versatility — 611-acre Pontiac Lake for boating, fishing, and swimming, paired with roughly 17 miles of trail for hiking and horseback riding, plus a public golf course and shooting range that round out the property's recreational offerings.

How to Get a Reservation

The 6-Month Booking Window

Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com.

Set a CampDrop Alert

If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Pontiac Lake.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (248) 666-1020

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 176 sites offer electric service in a wooded campground near the lake.

Season

The park typically operates April through November; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Pets

Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.

Boat Launch

A boat launch on Pontiac Lake accommodates motorized and non-motorized craft — arrive early on summer weekends, as the lot can fill.

Directions

Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area is located at 7800 Gale Rd, Waterford, MI 48327, in Oakland County, just northwest of Pontiac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the park has a boat launch on 611-acre Pontiac Lake for both motorized and non-motorized craft, plus a swim beach.

Yes, an 18-hole public golf course operates within the park, along with a shooting range and equestrian trails.

The campground has 176 modern electric campsites.

Reservations open exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. For sold-out dates, a CampDrop alert will text you the moment a cancellation opens up a site.

The park typically operates April through November. Confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Yes, there's an equestrian staging area and dedicated horse trails, making it a popular horse-camping destination.