Local Events and Tourist Attractions Click on a title below for more information or just scroll down the page: Boating Golf Canoeing/Kayaking/Tubing Hiking and Cross Country Skiing Children's Playground Horse Trails Church Directory Hunting County Library Ice Fishing Dining Lake Fishing Downhill Skiing Local Attractions Elk Viewing Shopping and Browsing Events Snowmobiling / Off-Road Trails Fall Color Tours Snowshoeing Fly Fishing Summer Camp for Kids

There are many lakes in which to launch a trailerable boat. Lake Margrethe and Bear Lake are only minutes away from the house.
Bear Lake is home to some nice trout while Lake Margrethe is known for it's Walleye population.

For the more adventerous, I suggest a trip to the Chain O' Lakes - less than a one hour drive to the west. This is one on our family's favorite destinations. We launch our 19' bowrider at the Torch River public access. This gives us quick access to either Torch and Clam Lakes to the right or Skegmog and Elk Lakes to the left. Skegmog is a good bass lake while Torch and Elk are good for Lake Trout using downriggers. Also, Torch Lake has a sandbar that is great for swimming or just lounging on your boat and soaking up the rays! Elk Lake is my favorite for swimming and skiing or wakeboarding as the water is not as cold as Torch Lake.

Not too far to the south of Grayling are Houghton and Higgins Lake which are also great boating destinations.

Boats can be rented at Terry's Sport Center Inc. (989) 348-7513
and Fun N Sun (989) 348-2188

Canoeing

The following Canoe Livery on the Manistee River is 2 miles from the house. Rates are reasonable and floats can last from 2.5 hours to several days depending on your needs.

Give Todd or Nick a call to pre-arrange your trip.

If you prefer to canoe on the AuSable River here are links to Several Canoe Liveries to choose from:

Ray's Canoe & Fly Factory I-75 Business Loop Grayling, MI 49738 Tel: (989) 348-5844

Goodale's Bakery has some of the best fudge to be found in Michigan. The tables in the seating area are just right for a family to sit around while having a morning coffee and doughnut. (989) 348-8682

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Spike's Keg 'O' Nails 301 N. James St. P.O. Box 511 Grayling, MI 49738 Manager@Spikes-Grayling.com Hours Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. Sunday: Noon - 1:30 a.m. Take out until 1:30 a.m. Call Ahead Ordering! 989-348-7113 Map

The Canadian Steak and Fish Company
2552 I-75 Business Loop
Grayling, Mi 49738
(989) 344-5555

Grayling Resturant
211 East Michigan
Downtown Grayling
Home of the "Lumberman's Breakfast"
(989) 348-2141

Westside Diner
6301 West M-72
Just West of Downtown Grayling
(989) 334-0710
Be sure to try their Blueberry Pancakes!!!

There are many Fine Dining places just to the north of Grayling in Gaylord, MI. Here is a link to some of them:

Gaylord Area Dining Listings

 

Down hill Skiing

HANSON HILLS RECREATION AREA 7601 Old Lake Road Grayling, MI 49738 Phone: (888) 876-2196 • (989) 348-9266 hansonhills@hotmail.com A complete 1000 acre Winter - Summer Sports Park • Family Recreation at reasonable rates • 11 Downhill Skiing Runs • 35 Km Cross Country Skiing • Mountain Biking • Tubing • Biking • Fishing • Softball Field • Hiking & Walking Trails • Rental Facilities • Terrain Park • Snowshoeing

3962 Wilkinson Road Treetops Village, MI. 49734 Phone: 989.732.6711 or 1.888.TREETOPS (873.3867) · 23 downhill ski runs with breathtaking views · Exhilarating tubing run with tow rope · Ski and snowboard instruction for adults and children (ages 4 and up) · Cross country skiing · Terrain park and quarter pipe · Snowshoe rentals · Michigan's Longest half-pipe · Activities for the whole family

Check Ski Conditions at local Hills

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There is a large herd of Elk in Northern Michigan that can be found East of Gaylord. One of the best places to see and photograph Elk, as well as gain some historical information is to be found in Hillman, MI at Thunder Bay Resort. In the Winter you can arrange to take a Sleigh Ride to see the Elk and also enjoy a Gourmet Dinner cooked in wood burning stoves. Check out this Winter Special here.

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AuSable River Canoe Marathon - Michigan's most prestigious and richest Canoeing Event - Over $50,000.00 in Cash and Prizes! For over 50 years this race has attracted people from all over the World. It has traditionally been held the last full weekend in July and starts at Ray's Canoe livery in Grayling, MI and finishes 120 miles later at the AuSable Inn & Finish Line Sports Bar in Oscoda, MI. The racers begin several blocks away from the river and at the sound of the starter pistol they run with their canoes to the river. It's quite a sight to see them throw themselves and their canoes into the river, sometimes flipping over before they even get started. It takes no more than a few minutes for them to be out of sight and the crowd scrambles to their vehicles in order to get to the first check point to see just who has moved into first position. Many of the crowd continues to follow the racers all night long and are there to greet the finishers as they come under the bridge in Oscoda -- in the morning.

For more information contact:
Kate Southard or Steve Southard Publicity Directors
989-348-4425 (Marathon Office)
Steve Southard - Cell Phone w/voice mail 989-370-8840
Kate Southard - Cell Phone w/voice mail 989-464-0857
Race Office FAX 989-348-2618

or click on the link below :

Tip Up Town - There is a lot of fun to be had at the weekend activities on Houghton Lake during the winter months. The most famous of them is Tip Up Town which takes place in January every year for the past 50+ years. The events include such things as: Horseshoes on Ice, Ice Fishing contests and Poker Runs. For the complete schedule click on the link below:

Take a ride along any of the following routes:

M-93
County Road 612 between Frederic and Lewiston
Old U.S. 27 from Grayling to Higgins Lake
Four Mile Road
M-72 between Grayling and Fairview

All are know for great color. Peak Season ranges from the second to fourth weekend in October depending on the frost conditions.

	Fly Fishing
There are many shops in the area to help you with your fly fishing needs. For lessons, rods /reels and fly tying supplies try the Fly Factory in Grayling. Steve Southard will be happy to help you with everything needed to fish either the Manistee or the AuSable. Gates AuSable Lodge located at 471 Stephan Bridge Road is another place that you will want to stop. Rusty Gates is well known for his knowledge about the AuSable River System and his flyfishing expertise. He was Fly Rod and Reel's "Angler of the Year" in 1995 and is active in The Anglers of the AuSable. To prepare for your visit to this area I would recommend the book "Trout Streams of Michigan" by Bob Linsenman. This book tells of many river access spots and how to find them.You can, also, find detailed Maps of the AuSable River from Mio to 4000 Bridge at Bob's Website - Au Sable Angler If you are interested in a guide service, try giving Al Bullock a call. Al is an experienced, licensed guide and lives just a few doors away from our Manistee River Retreat. Alan Bullock Tyeflyers Trips & Flies 103 Tamarack Circle Grayling, Michigan 49738 Phone: 989-344-0594 email: tyeflyer826@hotmail.com Services: Float & Wade Trips , Trout Flies Rivers: Au Sable, Upper Manistee For other guides and rates see: http://www.troutbums.com/guides/

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Golf

Fox Run golf course is the southern most golf course in the Gaylord Golf Mecca. It is located just south of Grayling in the jack pine forests of northern Michigan. Because it is the southern most course, it's also the first one you come to when traveling north. You would be wise to stop off and play this course before traveling on to the heart of the Mecca http://www.foxruncc.com

Grayling Country Club 100 Charles St Grayling, MI 49738 517/348-5618 Established in 1924 as a 9-hole course, the Grayling Country Club(GCC)is one of the oldest in Michigan. However, in 1990 a second nine was added to complete the 18-hole track; the original 9-holes now lay scattered among the front and back nines. Nestled along the beautiful AuSable River in downtown Grayling, the GCC is open to the public and offers a complete list of amenities to meet your golfing needs including: putting greens, practice range, practice bunker, chipping green, lessons, bar/lounge, snack bar, complete pro-shop and sandwich menu. http://www.graylingcountryclub.com

Skyline Ski and Country Club 4020 Skyline Road Grayling, MI 49738 989-275-5445

Black Bear Golf Club 1500 West Alexander Road Vanderbilt, MI 49795 (866) 983-4441 Located just 40 minutes shy of the Mackinaw Bridge on interstate 75, Black Bear is easily accessible and a founding member of the prestigious GAYLORD GOLF MECCA, which is known to many as the Golfing Mecca of the Mid-West. Several golf packages can be easily coordinated with any lodging facility in Gaylord and all surrounding cities. We understand golfers want a great product at a reasonable price, call one of our courteous professionals to create your dream golf vacation now. http://www.golfblackbear.net

 

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Many, if not all, Cross Country Ski Trails are open to Summer Hiking. For that reason we are listing them all under this one heading. Of course you can always take a walk or hike down the back roads near the house. There is a lovely dirt road that meanders along the river for 10 Miles and ends at the CCC Bridge -One of the best trout fishing spots on the Upper Manistee River during the Hex hatch.

For all of you Cross Country Skiing needs visit:
Cross Country Ski Shop
(989) 348-8558 or 1-800-889-7456
Located behind the Holiday Inn at 2600 I-75 Business Loop
In Grayling, MI
or
Forbush Corner, Inc.
4971 Country Road 612
In Frederic, MI

Here are a few of the local Cross Country Ski Trails. Remember they make great hiking trails in the Spring, Summer and Fall Seasons.

Mason Tract Description: 11.5 miles, rolling to slightly hilly terrain, hiking, skiing, camping. Directions: 15 miles East of Grayling on M-72; 12 miles East of Grayling, South on Chase Bridge Rd. 10 miles to South Branch Au Sable river Bridge. Note: Biking is prohibited on this trail. If you go early enough in the day you are likely to see deer and other wildlife.

Tisdale Triangle Description: 10.1 miles, flat terrain, hiking skiing, camping. Directions: At East end of Tisdale Rd., 5 miles East of Roscommon on M-18.

Red Pine Natural Area Description: 1.5 miles, level terrain, interpretive foot trail, no camping. Directions: 8 miles North of St. Helen on F-97 to Sunset Rd., then East 3/4 miles to trail.

Pine Baron Description: 8.75 miles, flat terrain, hiking, skiing, camping. Directions: West of Gaylord & South of M-32; West from I-75 at South Gaylord exit 279 on Alba Rd., 2.4 miles to Lone Pine Rd., North to end of road.

Buttles Road Description: 7 miles, flat to rolling terrain, hiking, skiing, no camping. Directions: Between Lewiston & M-32 on Buttles Rd., take Buttles Rd. North about 3 miles to parking lot.

Marl Lake Trail Description: 5.5 miles flat terrain with scenic view of Marl Lake. Directions: County Rd. 100 across the street from South Higgins Lake State Park

Loud Creek Nordic Ski Club Description: 10k groomed and wide enough for a skating lane, rugged terrain with long sloping grades and 1/2 mile downhill runs. Directions: M-33 from Mio South to 14th St, South to Cauchy Rd, then West on Cauchy Rd. Note: Trail head donations requested.

Wakely Lake Trail Description: 16.5 miles of hiking trails; the yellow trail is 7 miles, the blue trail 5 miles, the orange trail 4.5 miles. Directions: M72 east of Grayling 1/4 mile past Wakeley Bridge Road Notes: Daily Fee. Birdwatchers would be interested in the nesting Loons, Eagles & Great Blue Heron. This is a great little fishing lake too, if you have a canoe and a canoe tote - it's a bit of a walk to the lake. It's Catch and Release only but is teeming with Bass and Bluegills.

Here are a few more links to area Hiking and Cross Country Skiing opportunities:

Hartwick Pines State Park
N. Higgins Lake State Park
Hanson Hills Recreation Area
Higgins Lake Area

 

There is a Horse/Hiking Trail that winds from Empire, MI on Lake Michigan to Oscoda on Lake Huron. Access to this trail is at Goose Creek on the Manistee River just a few miles north of the house.

Hunting

For a complete line of Sporting Goods try Jay's. Jay's is located in Gaylord, Michigan - approximately 25 miles north of Grayling.

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There are many good lakes in the area for Ice Fishing - Otsego Lake is a favorite as well as Higgins and Houghton Lakes to the south. However, you don't have to travel more than a few miles from the house to find great ice fishing.

The public access to Lake Margrethe is less than 3 miles from the house. The lake is known for its Walleye and Perch. Ice fishing supplies can be found at Skip's Sport Shop in Grayling or Jay's Sporting Goods in Gaylord.

(There is also at least one smaller spring feed lake that holds some 8"-10" Perch! It's a favorite of the family and if you ask nicely, I just might give you the directions!)

There are several lakes in the area that are great for fishing. Here are just a few of them:

Lake Margrethe
Species: Rock bass, yellow perch,blue gills, small mouth bass, large mouth bass, tiger muskie, northern pike, walleye

Bear Lake
Species: In addition to bass and perch, Bear Lake has a good supply of trout.

Otsego Lake
Species: Northern pike, large mouth bass, small mouth bass, rock bass, bluegills, yellow perch, pumkinseed sunfish.

Local Attractions

The Grayling Fish Hatchery The Grayling Fish Hatchery opens each May, ready to welcome another 35,000 or more visitors. Many of those visitors will toss fish food to the thousands of brook, brown, and rainbow trout which range from 2 1/2 to 28 inches in length. Although it is a county operated facility, no direct tax moneys are allocated, so all operating revenues must come from admission fees and the sale of trout food, placing the future of the hatchery in the hands of its' visitors. The fish hatchery is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm, 7 days a week, during the season. Admission is $1.50 for adults, $1.00 for children 17 and under, children under 5 are admitted free, and there is a daily family pass for $6.00. Group rates are also available. Reprinted from a flyer from the: Grayling Recreation Authority P.O. Box 361 Grayling, MI 49738 (989)-348-9266

Hartwick Pines State Park 4216 Ranger Road Grayling MI 49738 Phone Number: (989) 348-7068 Motor Vehicle Permit Required: Yes Approximate Size: 9762 (Acres) For more information checkout these links: Hartwick Pines State Park Family Travel Detroit Free Press Article

 

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Snowmobile and Off-Road Trails

Less than 3 miles from the house is the Blue Bear Trail and access to Michigan's largest snowmobile trail system. It is possible to follow this trail system to Traverse City going West; Alpena or Oscoda, going East; as well as to the Mackinaw Bridge, going North - where your vehicle can be transported across the bridge to the U.P. for even more adventure!

Click on the following link to access the map of the trail system. Note that Lake Margrethe is only 2 Miles East of the house.

 

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Snowshoeing

Treetops Sylvan Resort Trails
Gaylord, MI
Trail Distance: 11 miles

Wilderness Valley Trails
Gaylord, MI
Trail Distance: 34.8 miles

For all of your Snowshoe needs, including rentals, check out:
*Michigan Snowshoe Center

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While your child is at Camp AuSable, an 840 acre Christian youth camp, why not take a break. Our house on the Manistee River is the perfect Retreat.

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