Roscommon County: Lakes, Nature and History
Accommodation in Roscommon County
Roscommon County combines large lakes, forest trails, regional history and seasonal events into a destination with many different facets.
Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake: Water as a common thread
Higgins Lake is seven miles long and reaches a depth of up to 135 feet. South Higgins Lake State Park extends for one mile along the lakeshore. The park’s Higgins Lake access area has a protected boat basin with nine slips. From mid-May to September, the shop there rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and flotation devices. Anyone looking for a holiday rental or holiday home can use this information to determine the desired focus of their trip without presupposing specific property features.
North Higgins Lake State Park lies on the former site of the world’s largest tree nursery. Houghton Lake is Michigan’s largest inland lake and is known for fishing in all seasons as well as boating. Ice fishing on Houghton Lake catches include walleye, sunfish, crappies and pumpkinseed; species caught at Higgins Lake include lake trout, smelt, Arctic char and pike.
Forest Trails, Wetlands and Nature Observation
For active days, the Red Pine Natural Area Pathway offers a clearly defined route: The trail is 1.4 miles long and passes through the Roscommon Red Pines Natural Area in the Au Sable State Forest. Along the trail are 16 stations with information for hikers. Marl Lake in South Higgins Lake State Park is surrounded by 5.5 miles of forest trails. The eight-mile Tisdale Pathway is maintained by the Roscommon Area Recreation Authority under a land-care agreement with the Michigan DNR.
The 115-acre Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve is a wildlife sanctuary open to the public for hiking, cycling and nature observation. School trips also use its forest, wetland and pond areas. The AuSable Birding Trail is shared by Roscommon County and Crawford County. In addition, the Iron Belle Trail runs through North Higgins Lake State Park and along Old U.S. 27. These different routes help you choose accommodation according to your preferred daily rhythm, with nature observation, cycling or longer trail sections as the planned focus.
History in Museums, Buildings and Memorials
The history of the landscape is particularly vivid at Higgins Lake. The first state tree nursery was established on the north shore in 1903, and the Higgins Lake Civilian Conservation Corps Camp began operating at the nursery in 1933. The Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum conveys the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps in providing jobs for young men during the Great Depression. You should allow about an hour for the museum and its grounds.
The Houghton Lake Area Historical Society offers further insights by preserving and protecting buildings and artifacts relating to the history of the Houghton Lake Area. The Historical Village comprises 14 buildings. The AuSable River Center is housed in a historic building constructed in 1936 during the Great Depression as an administrative building for the Michigan Department of Conservation. It displays cultural heritage, artifacts and materials relating to the wildlife and environment of the Great AuSable River; it also exhibits 32 works from the original collection of a self-taught artist from the Roscommon area.
The Michigan Firemen’s Memorial commemorates firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and includes a wall bearing their names. The Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival includes a parade, a display of antique equipment, a memorial service, a parade of lights, music, dancing and competitions for emergency responders. The festival usually takes place each year during the third week of September.
Seasons and Local Events
The Roscommon Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from mid-May to mid-October and averages more than 30 vendors. Roscommon’s SummerFest includes the Kirtland Warbler Festival on the first Saturday in June. In winter, Roscommon County has trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Tip Up Town USA is an ice-fishing and family festival held annually at Houghton Lake on the last two weekends of January. This also allows trip planning to be based on the season: market visits and events during the warmer half of the year contrast with winter trails and ice fishing.
Choosing Accommodation According to Your Travel Interests
Roscommon County lies along the I-75 corridor and is easily accessible for travellers to and from Northeast Michigan. For days by the water, options include Hiawatha Park in Roscommon, with an accessible canoe and kayak launch. The public boat launch on Airport Road in Saint Helen includes a beach, an ADA-compliant accessible fishing pier, and a kayak and canoe launch. In nearby Cove Park, you will find a beach, a marina, benches, a playground and a pavilion.
For a trip focused on water, the public access points mentioned can help guide your search for a holiday rental or holiday home. For further orientation, Roscommon Township and Roscommon are also useful search terms within the destination.
For the overarching travel overview: Michigan.
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