Gaylord KOA

Alpine Village

Enjoy the Alpine Village motif of Gaylord, sister city to Pontresina, Switzerland. Gaylord is located in Otsego County which means "meeting place". There are numerous restaurants and unique shops in this quaint city. Gaylord has many events through the year, including the annual Alpenfest held in July. There is a lot to see and do in Otsego County.

Golf

The Gaylord Golf Mecca marked its 20th year in 2007, and the greens of 22 courses continue to beckon golfers of all playing levels to their links.

In 1987, a group of golf courses in the Gaylord area joined forces to increase their marketing power and promote the Gaylord area as a premier golf destination. That concept - the Gaylord Golf Mecca - has succeeded to become one of the largest cooperative golf organizations in Michigan.

Boasting 22 championship courses, four resort destinations, 22 hotel properties, and numerous awards from golf magazines and organizations, the Gaylord Golf Mecca provides plenty of great quality golf to match every style of play. For further details, call the Gaylord Information Center at 732-4000.

Mushroom Picking

In May, the morel mushroom brings flocks of tourists to Northern Michigan forests each year. Black morels appear in early May, and are followed by the rarer white morels in mid- to late May. Morels grow best in warm, wet conditions.

They may be found near stumps of dead elms, oak trees, beech-maple forests and old orchards. Mushroom hunters are advised to learn the characteristics of true (nonpoisonous) and false (poisonous) morels. Pickers are reminded to respect private property. Any questions can be directed to the Dept. of Natural Resources at 732-3541.

The MSU Extension office has a brochure available to help identify morels. Call 731-0272 for more information.

On May 10-11, Lewiston will again host its Mushroom Celebration with arts and crafts. For information, call 786-2293.

Water Sports

Otsego County is dotted with nearly 100 pristine lakes - most of them small and shallow, but many of the larger lakes are ringed with summer cottages, undisturbed marshland and wooded scenery.

Located only a short distance from the shops and streets of downtown Gaylord is Otsego Lake. The county's largest and most popular lake, it's enjoyed by visitors and local residents alike. Nearly five miles in length and about one mile across at its widest point, Otsego Lake has the added attractions of a concrete boat ramp for day use at the Otsego Lake County Park and two major shoreline campground parks: Otsego Lake State Park; 732-5485, and Otsego Lake County Park; 731-6448.

For visitors interested in fishing and boating, gravel ramps suitable for small and medium-size boats are available on, Big, Bradford, Big Bass, Big Bear, Emerald and Heart Lakes. For recreational users, there are ramps for canoes and car-top boats on Dixon, Manuka, Lake 27, Opal, Otsego, Pickerel, Round, Marjory and West Twin Lakes. More information can be found at www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS.

Otsego County's beaches are perfect locations to beat the heat. With literally miles of public waters for swimmers and boaters to cool off in, Otsego County can keep the fun going as the temperatures rise.

• Big Bear Lake - off Meridian Line Road
• Big Lake - off Big Lake Road
• Lake 27 - off West Martin Lake Road
• Otsego Lake County Park - off West Otsego Lake Drive
• Otsego Lake State Park - off Old 27 South
• Thumb Lake - off Thumb Lake Road in Vanderbilt
• Wah-Wah-Soo - off Old 27 South on Otsego Lake

Fishing

Anglers can find great fishing across Otsego County year-round. The county's largest water body, Otsego Lake, receives regular DNR stockings of walleye, providing for a popular fishery during summer and winter months. Otsego Lake is also home to sturgeon, which can be legally sought by tag holders as a sport fish from mid-July through mid-March. Tags are available at the DNR field office, M-32 West, Gaylord; or at Parkside Country Store, Old 27 South, Gaylord.

Other sought-after species such as northern pike, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish and the occasional muskellunge can be found in Otsego Lake and across the rest of the county.

Otsego County is home to significant portions of the state's best-known trout rivers: Black River, AuSable River, Pigeon River, Sturgeon River and Manistee River. Also, many area lakes are stocked with rainbow trout and splake (a brook trout/lake trout hybrid).

For more information on seasons, regulations and current license fees, pick up a guide at the DNR Operations Center office, 732-3541; or at license dealers around the county.

Paddling

The headwaters of the fastest river in Michigan's Lower Peninsula start right here in Otsego County. Not "whitewater", but the Sturgeon River is exciting and challenging with its quick current, numerous sharp turns and narrow passages. The crystal-clear spring fed water has an average depth of 3 feet and winds its way through beautiful state forest.

You can canoe, kayak, raft or tube on different sections of the river - something to please every age, skill and adventure level!

The following outfitter offers self-guided canoe, kayak, raft or tube trips Spring through Fall, and even guided raft trips in the Winter. They also shuttle private equipment and can provide current river conditions:
Big Bear Adventures, 4271 S. Straits Hwy., Indian River (231) 238-8181.

Hiking & Backpacking

Trails abound in Otsego County affording hikers and backpackers of every skill and age level an opportunity to see, hear, smell, touch and even taste nature in all its beauty. The area is lush with pathways for hiking enthusiasts, and all are free to use with no trail passes required. Several marked trails exist in the state forest areas of the county as well as within the city limits:

• Aspen Park, 1.8 miles of paved trails in mostly wooded and some open areas; beaver pond rests along the trail, as well as elk and deer viewing in the elk park
• Shingle Mill Pathway, 14 miles of flat to very hilly terrain; shorter loops also available
• High Country Pathway, 80-plus miles of flat to very hilly terrain
• Pine Baron Pathway, about eight miles, flat terrain; shorter loops available
• Big Bear Lake Pathway, two-plus miles of flat to rolling terrain
• Pickerel Lake Pathway, two miles of gently rolling terrain

There are also many marked and paved trails in the parks at Otsego Lake and Aspen Park. Detailed maps are available at the Dept. of Natural Resources District Office, 1732 M-32 West, Gaylord; 732-3541 or at the Gaylord Information Center, 125 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord; 732-4000.

Biking

Bicycling enthusiasts - novices or veterans - can experience Northern Michigan along one of the many trails suited for mountain biking in Otsego County. Some of the many trails worth exploring are:
Gaylord to Cheboygan Rails-to-Trails, a distance of 62 miles, accessible in Gaylord from Fairview Avenue near the soccer complex. This trail was improved in 2007 with an easy-to-ride crushed limestone surface. For more Rails-to-Trails information go to: www.trailscouncil.org.
Pine Baron Pathway, situated in the Mackinaw State Forest, and only six miles from the heart of Gaylord; to reach it, take Otsego Lake Drive west to Old Alba Road, continue westbound to Lone Pine Road, then northbound to the trailhead. This system of gently rolling to flat terrain has four short loops, which average two miles each.
High Country Pathway with detailed guides available through the Pigeon River Country Forest's Visitor Center, PO Box 122, Gaylord, MI 49734. The guidebook includes detailed maps, descriptions of trees and points of interest and also includes information about the campgrounds.
Shingle Mill Pathway, 10 miles east of Vanderbilt on Sturgeon Valley Road in the Pigeon River Country State Forest; this pathway offers six-, 10- and 11-mile loops on rolling to hilly terrain. Maps showing your location are posted at each intersection along the trail; maps also are available at the Forest Visitor's Center; 983-4101, and at the DNR office on M-32 just west of Gaylord; 732-3541.
Aspen Park Pathway, a 1.7-mile lighted trail system located inside the Gaylord's mostly forested 100-acre Aspen Park just east of South Otsego Avenue at the end of Commerce Boulevard. There are also a great deal of unpaved trails, making it a perfect location for the more daring mountain biker. One path along the paved trail winds past Gaylord's fenced elk herd, while a path along the unpaved trail can take an explorer to a small pond. Map kiosks along the trails provide adventurers with a guide to their scenic travels.

For those who enjoy mountain biking, the North Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Bike Association holds the Michigan Bike Festival in September at Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling. For more information on the Michigan Mountain Bike Association, visit www.mmba.org.

Horseback Riding

Riders on horseback are welcome on two-tracks, forest roads or non-hiking trails:

• The Pigeon River Country State Forest offers horse trails and one trail camp.
• Also, 54 miles of trails run through Otsego County countryside as part of the Northern Spur of the Michigan Shore-to-Shore riding and hiking trail.
• The following stable offers guided trail rides, featuring the best of Northern Michigan landscape:
• Liberty Valley Ranch, 4301 Hayes Tower Road, Gaylord; 731-0149

Further information is available at the Gaylord Information Center, 732-4000.

Off-Road & All Terrain Vehicle Trails

Otsego County and the surrounding area hold several off-road (ORV) and all-terrain (ATV) vehicle trails open to licensed operators.

• Start at the trailhead on Old State and Turtle Lake roads for Big Bear Trail, a 14.5-mile loop, and the Crapo Creek Trail, a 17.5-mile loop. Both trails are for ORVs less than 50 inches wide (most ATVs and trail bikes).
• Also meandering around and west of Crapo Creek Trail is a route for ORVs of all sizes. Just north of the Otsego County line is the Tomahawk Trail (for ORVs less than 50 inches wide); the Tomahawk A, B and C trails are 36.8-, 17- and 40-mile loops, respectively. Included in the trail system are a few routes for ORVs of all sizes. Sections of the Michigan Cross Country Cycle Trail run through the area.
• Other trails in counties neighboring Otsego include the Frederic Trail (Crawford County), Kalkaska Trail (Kalkaska, Antrim and Crawford counties), Atlanta Trail (Montmorency County), Red Bridge and Bummer's Roost trails (Presque Isle and Cheboygan counties), and Hunt Creek Loop and Mio Trail (Montmorency and Oscoda counties).
• A 2009 Otsego County ORV ordinance now allows ORV operators to ride on a majority of its county-maintained roads. The complete ordinance and ORV route maps may be viewed at the county Web site by visiting www.otsegocountymi.gov.
• For specific maps and licensing requirements, contact the DNR at 1732 M-32 West in Gaylord; call 732-3541; or visit www.mi.gov/dnr.

Hunting

Otsego County is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and hunters often pursue deer, bear, turkeys and numerous small game species. Licenses, as well as specific information on season dates, limits and rules are available from the Dept. of Natural Resources at its district office at 1732 M-32 West in Gaylord; 732-3541, and at numerous retailers where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Since 2002, the number of antlerless deer licenses has dropped significantly in Otsego County and surrounding areas, in part to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Otsego County offers a unique opportunity for elk hunting. About 300 elk are harvested each year from an estimated herd of 1,100. A ban on baiting and feeding is still in effect for Otsego County as a method of combating TB and CWD.

The 105,000 acres of public land in the Pigeon River Country State Forest are a popular destination for deer hunters.

Elk Viewing

Michigan's native elk population disappeared around 1875, but rebounded after seven elk were released near Wolverine in 1918. The Pigeon River Country State Forest, about 13 miles east of Vanderbilt on Sturgeon Valley Road, is the heart of Michigan's elk range which is home to an estimated 1,000 animals.

The best time for viewing elk is early morning and late evening, especially in the spring (April 15-May 15) and fall (Sept. 10-Oct. 10). Elk-viewing areas have been established where the ground has been seeded with rye, alfalfa, buckwheat and clover to draw the elk, deer and turkeys into open areas.

Elk have been sighted on Fontinalis Road, about three miles north of Sturgeon Valley Road near the Cheboygan County line where a small parking area and a field have been cleared by the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR); at an elk-viewing area (with DNR signs indicating the location) on East Sturgeon Valley Road, about eight miles east of Vanderbilt; and about .4 miles north of the intersection of Osmun Road and Clark Bridge Road in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Chances of seeing elk are increased by remaining at or near designated parking areas.

Detailed maps of various other elk-viewing sites are available at the DNR District Office, 1732 M-32 West, Gaylord, 732-3541.

In Gaylord, the elk/deer enclosure off Grandview Boulevard and Elkview behind Kmart is a popular draw, enabling people to get an up-close look at the animals.

Fall Color Tour

The rolling countryside of Otsego County is ablaze with color during Mother Nature's autumn color extravaganza. The area usually hits its peak of color in early to mid-October. Hikers, motorists, horseback riders and mountain bikers travel along many picturesque scenic pathways in the area. The Gaylord Information Center at 125 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord; 732-4000, can provide various maps and directions for many popular routes.

Recreational Facilities

Otsego County Community Center - 315 S. Center Ave., 732-6521, Mike Tarbutton, director of parks and recreation. Hours vary. The center is often reserved for various activities, such as sports leagues. Patrons should call ahead or visit, www.otsegocountyparksrec.com, to determine if it is available. Indoor activities include regulation basketball (six baskets), ping-pong, pool, bumper pool, hockey, tennis, volleyball, two small meeting rooms, television and study room, and foosball tables. Outdoors are two basketball, two tennis, two shuffleboard, two volleyball courts and four new, regulation-size horseshoe courts, as well as picnic tables and a small playground.

• Otsego County Sportsplex - The county's $4.5-million Sportsplex opened in March of 1996 and is located at 1250 Gornick Avenue off South Wisconsin Avenue, 731-3546. The building is generally open all week, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
• Facilities include an NHL-sized indoor ice and hockey arena; a regulations-sized, six-lane lap pool, 3 1/2 feet to 12 feet deep; and a leisure wading pool, zero-depth sloping to 3 feet deep, with Jacuzzi jets at one end. A 25-foot water slide is also included.
• The pool and the ice arena are available for rental. During daylight hours, the facility's Energy Outlet Park and outdoor fitness and playground area is open.
• A schedule of the public ice and pool sessions, hockey leagues, and skating and swimming lessons, together with pricing information, is available at the Sportsplex and online at www.ocsportsplex.com.
• Libke Fields on VanTyle Road, just west of the Otsego County Airport - three softball fields open at no charge to the public, when not reserved. Call 732-6521 for reservations.
• Aspen Park, Commerce Boulevard east of South Otsego Avenue - 100 acres of fields and forests; includes tennis courts, paved hiking trails, biking trails, and a pop vending machine. Lighted and groomed cross country ski trails are available.
• George Doumas Memorial Park, corner of South Maple and Fourth streets in Gaylord - picnic areas and gazebo, grills, playground and restrooms
• Freel Memorial Park, at East Huron and North Oak streets in Gaylord - picnic shelter, grills, playground and restrooms
• Hale Park, South Otsego Avenue and West Second St. - picnic pavilion and landscaping.
• Frank Wilkinson Memorial (Irontone Springs) Roadside Park, off Old 27 North, between Vanderbilt and Gaylord - covered picnic area, grills and natural spring drinking fountain. Call 732-6521 for reservations
• Ramp park on Wisconsin Avenue - features ramps for inline skaters, skateboarders and BMX bikes; picnic tables, too
• Wah Wah Soo County Park, on the northeast side of Otsego Lake, off Old 27 South - grills and picnicking with a buoyed swim area.