Things to Do
With 70 percent of its’ property owned by the state and federal government and open to the public, Crawford County is a hunter’s dream. Various types of terrain yield trophy sized bucks, snowshoe hares, squirrels, turkey, grouse, woodcock and waterfowl hunting.
Biking
A variety of terrain and numerous scenic trails for the novice to expert rider are making Crawford County an increasingly popular mountain bikers’ destination.
Cross Country Skiing/Winter Trails
The Grayling area offers miles of exceptionally well-groomed cross country ski trails for the novice to the expert, and ungroomed, pristine trails for snowshoeing or back-country skiing.
Snowmobiling
Thousands of acres of state land and miles of groomed trails are made for winter fun in the Grayling area. With easy access from I-75, U.S.127 and M-72, and lodging facilities that offer direct trail access or other special amenities, Grayling has become a favorite with snowmobilers. Hundreds of miles of groomed trails in the county are among the finest in the state. Sign up for current trail condition emails at our “Contact Us” section. Groomer drivers from the AuSable Valley Snowmobile Association provide the conditions information, and readers praise the emails for honest reporting.
ORV
Ride a scenic, wooded trail, perfect for the novice and intermediate ORV’er. Crawford County’s ORV trail system is approximately 26 miles long and begins at the Blue Bear parking lot, four miles west of Grayling on M72. This trail is winding with a lot of curves but not many hills. It has some sugar sand and some hard pack. For ORV/ATV regulations, please visit the Department of Natural Resources website at www.michigan.gov/dnr under “Recreation & Camping”.
Golf
3 public golf courses are available in Crawford County, and dozens more within an hour’s drive.
AuSable Motorcycle Adventures
When you’re on a motorcycle, half the fun of the trip is getting there! There are dozens of beautiful rides within two hours of your Grayling Area Home Base.
Morels
Low in calories and high in nutrient content and flavor, the morel beckons many a visitor to our area during the month of May. A wild and wonderful delicacy, Crawford County has a large amount of state and federal property which may be hunted at will.
Bird Watching
Birding is excellent throughout the county because of the heavy and varied forest growth. Our birdwatching page shows known locations where specific species have been spotted. The birds listed are just a sample of what can be seen; many more species live in those areas.
Fall Color
The contrasting evergreen and hardwood forests of Northern Michigan are spectacular in Autumn. Enjoy the scenery with a leisurely drive, cycling or canoeing.
Geocaching
There are over 300 caches within 25 miles of Grayling. If you’re not familiar with geocaching, click here for more information.
Playgrounds
Time on your hands and the kids are bored? Click here for a list of area playgrounds.
Canoeing
The world famous AuSable and Manistee Rivers have no rocks or rapids, a slow current and crystal clear water. Canoeing or kayaking through beautiful forests of pine, birch and cedar on rivers designed for beginners, couples, families or large groups is the ideal way to enjoy a warm summer day or to view the magnificent fall colors.
Fishing
Fly Fishing: Crawford County has over one hundred miles of cool, crystal clear streams to explore, among them the AuSable and Manistee Rivers, premier world-famous trout streams.
Lake Fishing/Ice Fishing: The Grayling area has numerous lakes that offer a variety of fresh water fish. For ice fishing, many lakes have high quality ice.
