Family Fun
Julie
7/16/2026
Hot times
we stayed on pad #70 with our 5th wheel. the pad is long and easy to back into. need a couple boards to level on pad. Nice hike in the morning up the trail to the monuments. Hot week/ weekend. Fishing was OK.
Columbus 250
7/15/2026
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
4.8
as expected
camp hosts drove by at least every 20 minutes, got redundant and for the people driving by on motorcycles all day long, ridiculous. It would be a lot quieter and nicer if people would NOT drive by or walk by all day long...we go out to sit and relax not have people going back and forth every minute. I could just as well stay home for all that nonsense.
danjoson
7/15/2026
Overall Experience
3.5
Services
1.0
Facilities
3.0
Rat nest
The east park used to be convenient for campers but not any more. The management has brush piles all around the park which is creating mouse, rat, and snake habitat in close proximity to the camp sites. All of the old paths or trails are either fenced off or brush piles blocking the path and in some cases both. The manager stated the path were closed because they were to close to camp pads but they have one trail that goes between three camp pads and a cabin. The small dock on the south side still goes between two campsites so that shows the management only wants to inconvenient campers.
Disappointed
7/8/2026
Overall Experience
1.8
Services
2.6
Facilities
2.9
A nice campground. The only downside was the dust coming through the campground from the gravel road to the south.
Timothy
7/5/2026
Good campground
Happy Camper
7/3/2026
Overall Experience
4.5
Services
4.8
Facilities
5.0
Pickerel is a great time everytime
The staff up at Pickerel Lake do such an amazing job of planning family, friendly events. We’ve camped here the last two years and each weekend there has been something fun to do with our kids that’s led by the staff. Both the east and West campgrounds are well-maintained with large pads. And enough space so you aren’t on top of your neighbors.
WolfCrew
7/1/2026
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
5.0
Blocked trails
camper
6/28/2026
Camping life
Closure of some paths not good.
Johnny Good
6/25/2026
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
4.7
Pathway gone
The pathway from the upper level to the lower level (playground, shower house) has been closed off. I always reserved site 66E because of the path. I have been taking my grandkids camping with us in that site for the last 7 years, so the path came in very handy. I will start reserving other sites due to the path being blocked off.
Grandparent
6/23/2026
Overall Experience
3.3
Services
4.0
Facilities
2.9
Another great stay at Pickerel Lake!
This was my third time at Pickerel Lake Recreation Area (West Camping Loop), I’m so impressed every time I visit this clean and well-run park. We stayed in one of the camping cabins which was well-equipped and comfortable. The bathrooms and showers are impressively clean for a park of this nature and the guests in neighboring sites were quiet and respectful. My only (minor) complaint is the fact that the street lamp next to our cabin never turned off; understandable for safety reasons but impacted our ability to stargaze while enjoying our campfire and deck. Aside from that, the reservation process was easy, the staff friendly and efficient, and we really enjoyed our visit.
Fitz
6/17/2026
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
4.9
Was at the West park and be really careful when entering and exiting because of overhanging trees which scrape the top and sides of the campers causing scratching and broken vent covers.
I have camped on the East and Weat parks and both sides have tree branches overhanging the road and campsites so that campers hit them. This problem isn't new and management has done nothing to remedy the situation. There was no rental kayaks , canoes or paddle boards at either park.
easyman
6/10/2026
Overall Experience
2.0
Services
2.0
Facilities
1.9
Disappointing
The weather was raining so we left a day early on Saturday May 30th. In the past when weather was an issue we were given a refund. When we called on Monday we were told no refund would be given because it was after the fact. We would have told someone at the park but now park personnel were to be found.
Seasoned camper
6/3/2026
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
5.0
East Pickerel
East Pickerel used to be a really nice and convenient park. This year the management has block all the path in the park the trees overhang on the road so that they scrape the campers coming in. The night and weekend staff seldom check on the vault rollers and it took over 2 days to place doggie bags at the comfort station. The fishing dock and the kayak docks were still not in place. All the paths from the top camping area to the comfort station were blocked so that campers and children had to walk the road with traffic coming the wrong way on the one way road.
easyman
5/29/2026
Overall Experience
2.0
Services
2.0
Facilities
2.3
Mixed Weather Weekend
The Good Life
5/29/2026
Overall Experience
4.8
Services
5.0
Facilities
3.3
Blocked Trails - WHY on earth have shortcuts from the upper level to the playground and bathrooms been blocked?
Griz
5/22/2026
Wonderful Weekend
We had a wonderful weekend. We were sitting by our campfire and were able to experience the Northern Lights just over the trees. We drove up to the fish cleaning station and got some beautiful pictures there and then drove down to the water for even more pictures
Happy Camper 605
5/20/2026
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
5.0
It would be nice to be able to drive to the campsite without having to try and miss all the overhanging tree branches that hit the top of the camper and air conditioning units. The branches overhang.
Easyman
5/20/2026
Weekend get away
Mgeug
5/20/2026
Pickerel Lake Spring Outing
Legend1
5/19/2026
Turkey Hunt Stay
Legend1
5/4/2026
Nice and quiet
Im not very good at backing my camper in, I'd like to see more drive thru spots
Amy
10/8/2025
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
5.0
Love Pickeral lake.
Beautiful state park. The bugs were horrible and not sure if they spray or not. We used tempo on our spot. Helped a bit but this summer more spraying needed to be done.
Camper duo
10/1/2025
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
3.8
Fall trip
Bigspender
9/26/2025
Fall visit
bigspender
9/25/2025
Camping Cabin at Pickerel Lake
Chucklesf
9/25/2025
Always a pleasant stay
Gonfootin
9/17/2025
Manager failures
The park manager is seldom seen and prefers winter time so that there are no campers in the park. I was told be the park and regional managers that I did to much volunteer work that the managers could not find enough work for the paid staff. The manager also makes up stories which aren’t true.
Shafted
9/12/2025
Overall Experience
3.3
Services
2.5
Facilities
3.2
Gooooooood
Comfort station was clean. There a a little “library “ there to borrow books from. Went sight seeing at Camp NE-SO-DAK to see where my family had school camps before
Camper crazy
9/8/2025
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
4.8
Great Time
Very nice campground facilities, liked having access to a sheltered harbor and fish cleaning station.
Minnesota Family
9/4/2025
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
5.0
Simply beautiful, park personel were great and friendly.
Spot
8/27/2025
Phantom Hosts
I was there three nights and attempted to contact the hosts (who were in their trailer...I could hear them talking).
They did not answer my knock nor did they attempt to contact me at my site.
Wolfy
8/18/2025
Overall Experience
3.5
Services
2.0
Facilities
3.1
Wonderful stay
Rose
8/14/2025
Pickerel Lake cabin
Cabin 5 is nice, just across from the bathroom. A/C works good. Family of 4, each got our own bed. Brought a small dorm fridge to keep food cold. A small sink would be a fantastic addition!
SD child
8/9/2025
Overall Experience
3.5
Services
2.8
Facilities
3.5
Very Satisfied
Darla Staples
8/6/2025
I stayed in the modern cabin. It was great. The only improvement i would suggest is different beds.
Crunch
8/5/2025
julycamp
patches
8/4/2025
Girls trip
A TEAM
8/2/2025
Excellent Park
The park is very clean and the campground host and hostess are very friendly and are visable if you should need anything or have questions about the area. The park was very full but it was very quite and the people camping were friendly and was enjoyable to visit with them. Also, there is a book library that our grandkids were able to pick a book out while we were at the park.
Alice
7/30/2025
Overall Experience
5.0
Services
5.0
Facilities
5.0
Wonderful experience
The restrooms were wonderfully maintained. The park staff was present but not overbearing. The only complaint I have is directions/ determining the correct site (east or west).
Clong
7/30/2025
Overall Experience
4.8
Services
5.0
Facilities
4.8
Pickeral lake wast camp ground
Heaven
7/23/2025
Wonderful Place
SoDak home
7/19/2025