Rivers: the meandering Au Sable and Manistee Rivers are hallmark attractions for Crawford County. And both are the perfect playgrounds for canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, tubing, and fly-fishing. Every July, Grayling hosts the start of the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, one of the triple crown canoe races in North America. However, rivers are not the only great thing about Crawford County. Downtown Grayling is becoming quite hip and cool with its art galleries, craft breweries, and quaint shops. There are miles of trails to explore at Hartwick Pines State Park, Higgins Lake State Park, Hanson Hills Recreation Area, and the Huron National Forest. If you are an avid golfer, Forest Dunes Golf Club is home to two of the nation’s top ranked public golf courses.Grayling is also home to Camp Grayling: the largest US National Guard training facility in the US.
Getting to Know the Communities: Overview
- Frederic
- Grayling
- Lovells
Area Attractions
- AuSable River
- Manistee River
- Huron National Forest
- ORV/ATV/Snowmobiling
- AuSable Birding Trail
- Biking (Road & Mountain)
- Camp Grayling (one of the largest National Guard training centers in the US)
- Crawford County Museum
- Forbush Corner Nordic Cross Country Skiing (and Snowshoeing)
- Grayling Fish Hatchery
- Grayling Bicycle Turnpike
- Hartwick Pines State Park
- Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum
- Jones Lake State Forest Campground
- Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground
- North Higgins Lake State Park
- Shupac Lake State Forest Campground
- Wellington Farm USA
- W.J. Beal Tree Planting
Entertainment
- 3D Archery, Hanson Hills Recreation Area
- American Legion Lounge & Lanes (Bowling)
- AuSable Artisan Village Classes
- AuSable Martial Arts Academy
- Birding
- Disc Golf
- Downhill Skiing, Tubing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, etc.
- Enjoy the Outdoors
- Fall Color Tours
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Gits & Shiggles Improv Group
- Golfing
- Grayling City Community Parks (and Skate Park)
- Grayling Fitness Center
- Gray Rock Pub and Grub (live entertainment, karaoke, comedy shows)
- Hunting
- Miss Amanda's School of Dance
- Mt. Frederic Sledding Hill
- Mushroom Hunting
- Northern Michigan Escape Rooms
- ORV/ATV Riding (see Area Attractions)
- Rialto Theater
- Shopping in Grayling
- Shopping & Specialty Retail
- Skeet & Trap Shooting
- The Arts
Food & Beverage
Farms/CSAs/Meat
- Wellington Farm, USA
- Local Jams, Jellies, Honey, Maple Syrup, Fresh Baked Pies, and (when available) fresh produce and eggs
Places to Stay
Campgrounds
Please see "Camping" under #OptOutside Summer Activities
#OptOutside Spring, Summer, Fall Activities
Camping
- AuSable River State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp
- Frederic Area Camping
- Grayling Area Camping
- Huron National Forest Campgrounds
- Jones Lake State Forest Campground
- Lovells Area Camping
- Shupac Lake State Forest Campground
- Wakeley Lake, Huron National Forest
- Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp & Resort
Fishing/Fly Fishing
- AuSable & Manistee Rivers
- Fly Fishing in Grayling
- Grayling Area Fishing
- Grayling Area Rivers and Lakes
- Hartwick Pines State Park
- Jones Lake State Forest Campground
- Kneff Lake, Huron National Forest
- Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground
- Mason Tract Pathway
- Mason Tract Pathway Map
- Shupac Lake State Forest Campground
- South Branch AuSable River
- South Branch AuSable River Swamp
- Upper Manistee State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp
- Wakeley Lake Area, Huron National Forest
Paddling (Canoe, Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Board)
- AuSable River Canoe Marathon
- AuSable River State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp
- Grayling Area Paddling Info
- Grayling Area Rivers and Lakes
- Hartwick Pines State Park
- Jones Lake State Forest Campground
- Kneff Lake, Huron National Forest
- Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground
- Shupac Lake State Forest Campground
- Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp
- Wakeley Lake, Huron National Forest
Outdoor Gear and Outfitters
- Bear Paw Canoes
- Canoes, Kayaks, Tubes, AuSable River
- Borcher's Canoe & Kayak
- Canoes, Kayaks, AuSable River
- Carlisle Canoe Livery
- Canoes, Kayaks, AuSable River
- Cross Country Ski Shop
- Rentals, Part of Northbound Outfitters
- Forbush Corner
- Nordic Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
- Fuller's North Branch Outing Club
- Fly Fishing, Guide Service: Fly Fishing & Wing Shooting, Fly Shop
- Gates AuSable Lodge
- Fish Guiding Trips, Fly Shop, Fly Fishing Classes
- Hawkins Outfitters
- Fly Fishing & Wingshooting, Manistee & AuSable Rivers
- Northbound Outfitters
- Kayaks, Canoes, Bikes, Outdoor Gear, Rentals
- Part of Cross Country Ski Shop
- Old AuSable Fly Shop
- Penrod's Au Sable Canoe & Kayak
- Canoes, Kayaks, Mountain Bike Rentals, AuSable River
- River Valley Outfitters
- Hunting and Fishing Outfitter
- Ron's Fly Shop
- Fishing Gear, Fish Guiding Services
- Shel-Haven
- Canoes, Kayaks, Tubes, Manistee River
- Skip's Sport Shop
- Kayaks, Guns
- Sledheads of Frederic
- Sno-Trac Village Campground
- Snowmobile Service Shop
Buy MINE Local
Businesses with locally (NE Michigan) produced products:
- A Better Place Bakery & Cafe
- Airway Automation
- AJD Forest Products
- Alro Steel
- Arauco
- AuSable Artisan Village
- Fred Kelly Picks
- Georgia Pacific
- Goodale's Bakery
- Main Branch Gallery
- Michigan Wood Pellet
- Monarch Millwork
- Springs Window Fashions
- Stephen Wood Products
- Sylvester's Decorated Apparel
- The Curator
- The Old Lumberyard Shoppes
- Tip'n the Mitten
- Wellington Farm, USA
- Weyerhaeuser
- Xpress Copy Center
Get Connected
Frederic (also see Grayling)
- Churches & Places of Worship
- Volunteer Opportunities, Non-Profits, & Charities
- Get Connected
Grayling
- Churches & Places of Worship
- Volunteer Opportunities, Non-Profits, & Charities
- Grayling Chamber Listing of Family, Community, & Civic Organizations
- Grayling Non-Profits & Charities
- Grayling Organizations & Resources
- Job, Volunteer, and Internship Opportunities
- Organizations/Civic Clubs
- Volunteer Match
- AuSable Artisan Village
- AuSable River Canoe Marathon
- AuSable Valley Animal Shelter
- Camp AuSable
- Crawford County Comission on Aging
- Crawford County Community Christian Help Center Food Pantry
- Hanson Hills Recreation Area
- Munson Grayling Hospital
- River House
- Wellington Farm, USA
- Get Connected
- Anglers of the Au Sable
- Crawford County Library
- Grayling Area Meetups
- Grayling Community Garden
- Grayling Game Club
- Grayling Helping Grayling Facebook Group
- Grayling MOPS
- Grayling Organizations & Civic Clubs
- Grayling Snowmobile Trail Riders
- Grayling Sportsmen's Club
- Huron -Manistee National Forest
- Northern Michigan Remote Worker's Meetup & Slack Workspace
- Northwoods Archery Club
- The Gift - A Wellness Community
Lovells (also see Grayling)
- Churches & Places of Worship
- Volunteer Opportunities, Non-Profits, & Charities
- Get Connected
