Dorotowo is situated close to Olsztyn (around 10 km to the south-west), near the road connecting Warsaw, Olsztynek and Olsztyn. Lake Wulpinskie (also known as Tomaszkowskie or Dorotowskie) spreads west of the village, offering great recreational opportunities. It covers an area of about 730 ha and is divided into two basins, the eastern and the western. There are seven islands (the two largest are Urbanki and Herta). Lake Wulpinskie belongs to the deepest in Masuria (maximum depth = 54 m). The high banks, with forests almost meeting the water, form a very picturesque sight.

Dorotowo was established in 1348 by the Warmian clergy, and then in the 16th century the area was administered by Nicolaus Copernicus. The village suffered a lot during the wars between Poles and the Teutonic Knights. At the beginning of the 19th century, the number of inhabitants amounted to 104, but by 1930 this had grown to 565.