UPDATE: 3/1/2024:
2019 was the 100th Anniversary of Michigan State Parks and we're still celebrating!. Join the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Geocaching.com for the first official GeoTour in Michigan.
This tour was originally scheduled to run for three years, kicking off on Friday of Memorial Weekend in 2019 and continue through May 31, 2022. The success of this awesome tour has not gone unnoticed. On February 2, 2022, The DNR announced the extension of the GeoTour through September 24, 2024! Join us in making a final push to complete this very popular and very successful GeoTour before the sun sets on it.
Each geocache is in one of Michigan's state parks. The geocaches are arranged by MiGO Region, with twenty-five geocaches per region. The Ticket to Celebrate 100 is available for download from the DNR's Geocaching page. It explains how to qualify for prizes in each of the four regions and for the GeoTour as a whole.
Day use areas of state parks are open from 8AM to 10PM. Geocaching is limited to those hours. Entry into Michigan's State Parks requires a Michigan Recreation Passport. See the Resources section below for more information.
The sun will set on the MSPCGT at midnight Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The MSPCGT will go off the air as a GeoTour and the caches will disappear from the map. There is a lot of construction going on in our State Parks in 2024. Some of the GeoTour caches will have to be pulled earlier. The remaining geocaches in the tour will be archived October 1, 2024. Players will have until December 31, 2024 to claim any prize they have earned. Hiders will be contacted to request removal of the geocaches they hid unless they have made arrangements with park managers and have their own permit in place to keep the geocache in play, with a new GC Code.
Summer and fall construction in the campgrounds should not impair access to this cache.
Now for some good news: MiGO and the DNR are busy working on a new project that will kick off in the Spring of 2025, code named MSPGT 2.0. Are you interested in helping? Keep your MiGO Membership up to date and stay tuned to the website.
Cache:
This cache was hidden as part of the Michigan State Parks Centennial GeoTour, presented by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Geocaching Organization. Record the codeword printed on the log book and on a label inside the cache container to the appropriate box on the Ticket to Celebrate 100 form. See the instructions on the form to claim prizes.
This is a traditional cache hidden at the posted coordinates. You are looking for a Regular size container. Please return everything as good or better than you found it.
Thank you
Ranger4+1
for creating, hiding and maintaining this MSPC GeoTour cache.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Boardwalk at Otsego State Park
Otsego Lake State Park:
Otsego Lake State Park - located just south of Gaylord - is home to more than a half mile of sandy beach,
a campground, picnic area, a boat launch and much more. The 62-acre park is heavily shaded with large oak, maple and pine trees and is home to large campsites near or within sight of the lake. The park is known for its beautiful sandy beach. The universally accessible swimming beach and day-use area include picnic tables, grills, a floating fishing pier and water volleyball. The popular boat launch provides excellent access for motorized and nonmotorized watercraft.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fishing Pier
History:
Otsego Lake State Park was created in 1920 as one of the first 25 Michigan state parks created in Michigan. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the park in the 1930s
Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Activities:
Otsego Lake State Park offers fishing for bluegill, perch, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass,
walleye, northern pike and sturgeon. Paddling and swimming are also popular. Metal detecting is allowed in designated areas and must be done in accordance with state statutes.
The Iron Belle Trail runs past the park entrance and offers biking, hiking and snowmobile access to all of Northern Michigan. If visiting in July you may want to check out the Gaylord Alpenfest which takes place during 5 days in early July.
Information:
For more information, reservations and a calendar of events, follow this link to
Otsego Lake State Park.
Special thanks to
Clatmandu
for help with this geocache.
Special thanks to Are You Geocacher Enough? Road Rally for the Northern Lower regional prize.
Resources: