Crawford County: Forest Trails, History, and the Au Sable River

Crawford County combines an impressive history of the forests with trails, rivers, and lakes where you can plan a wide variety of vacation days. At Hartwick Pines State Park, extensive hiking routes meet a particularly vivid insight into Michigan’s logging era. Higgins Lake, which borders Crawford County to the south, is considered one of the state’s best inland fisheries; North Higgins Lake State Park has a designated swimming beach. The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon covers 120 miles from Grayling to Oscoda. If you are looking for a vacation rental or holiday home, it is therefore worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: forests and culture, active trails, or water.

Hiking Trails Between Old-Growth Pine Forest and Forest History

Hartwick Pines State Park has 21 miles of hiking trails. One clearly defined option is the Old Growth Forest Trail: It is 1.25 miles long, paved, and accessible. This information helps you plan your day around the desired trail length and the specific requirements involved. The park is named after 49 acres of old-growth pine forest, which is among the last remaining stands of its kind in the state.

The Forest Heritage Trail connects three forest heritage sites in Crawford County and includes 19 information panels. Among other things, they explain the importance of the Au Sable River, the role of logging in the development of Grayling, and the evolution of forestry. This allows you to combine a walk with regional history without treating the landscape merely as a backdrop. The Iron Belle Trail runs through North Higgins Lake State Park and along Old U.S. 27. The 10.2-mile Grayling Bicycle Turnpike, also called the Wayne C. Koppa Trail, begins or ends at the entrance to Hartwick Pines State Park, runs through downtown Grayling, and crosses the Au Sable River to the Hanson Hills Recreation Area.

Museums and Historical Insights

The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum presents Michigan’s logging era in the 19th century. The museum includes reconstructed logging camp buildings from the 1890s and is also accessible. Another historical excursion leads to the Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum. All public buildings at this museum are accessible.

Wellington Farm, USA is a 60-acre open-air museum. There, you can learn about rural life in the American Midwest during the Great Depression. Offerings include guided tours with historical interpreters on weekends, during festivals, or for groups by arrangement. Wellington Farm Park also provides environmental education about the importance of protecting land, water, forests, and natural resources.

Higgins Lake and the Au Sable River

North Higgins Lake State Park has a designated swimming beach. Higgins Lake is considered one of the state’s best inland fisheries. The Au Sable River and its tributaries offer opportunities to fish for brook trout, brook char, and rainbow trout. These differences make choosing your accommodation a matter of the vacation pace you want: You can focus on trails and forest history or include water activities and fishing in your plans.

The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon also shapes the connection between Grayling and the river. The course is 120 miles long and runs from Grayling to Oscoda. The marathon has started in Grayling since 1947. At the start, paddlers carry their canoes and run several hundred yards through downtown Grayling. Anyone who wants to watch this event can consider Grayling a point of reference when searching for a suitable vacation rental.

As a destination within Crawford County itself, you can continue exploring Grayling. For comparison with other destinations, you can also find Sanilac County, Alpena County, Antrim County, Chippewa County, Iosco County, Mecosta County, and Lenawee County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Michigan.