In 1843, the town of Kaykakee adopted the new name of "Clare" in honor of an Irish surveyor who was from the Irish county of the same name. The Lake George & Muskegon RR's first successful logging railroad began in this region during Michigan's lumbering era. The logging industry underwent a revolution thanks to this line. A railroad, the Muskegon and Tobacco Rivers, an abundance of land, and timber contributed to economic success, and the region has since prospered. The railroad provided Clare County's rural communities with a lifeline in the past by moving supplies, goods, and lumber. The trains also transported people to and from different locations within the State. One of the few still-existing depots of its kind, the one in Clare is currently being restored.
The Pere Marquette Rail Trail passes through Clare County. The paved trail starts in Midland and travels west through Reed City and downtown Clare. You can take advantage of the miles of trails in the county by riding your fat tire bike. The numerous lakes and rivers spread throughout the county offer excellent fishing opportunities. Clare has over 330 miles of rivers and streams and about 3,900 acres of open water. The 18 lakes in the county have boat launches with public access, and the Muskegon, Tobacco, and Cedar Rivers are popular fishing spots. Ice fishing is also prevalent during the winter, with many different fish species in the beautiful lakes.
Visit Clare and the surrounding area and sample some fine dining establishments and neighborhood eateries. Shopping is also widely available in Clare, with unique antique stores and lots of Amish-made items.
Enjoy your stay at one of the 200 full-hookup back-in and pull-through campsites at Pine Ridge RV Campground. On extensive grounds, they offer 200 roomy campsites with complete electric and sewer hookups. Take advantage of the excellent cell service throughout the campground while hiking with your pet. Nightly rates start at $39.
Visit the family-friendly Wesleyan Woods Camp, which offers back-in and pull-through RV sites. You are welcome to hike with your pet in this campground. The park has excellent cell service, and there are also showers available. Explore one of the many nature trails or participate in water sports like swimming or canoeing at the lake. Both adults and children can enjoy the 13-element high ropes course and 45-foot rock climbing wall for a mid-air challenge.
Discover Sagiw Bay RV Resort & Campground by Outdoor Adventures in nearby Standish, Michigan. This RV facility has more than 365 full-hookup, pet-friendly back-in and pull-through RV sites. You will appreciate the well-stocked general store, snack bar, exercise facility, and chapel. Enjoy other features like the beach, volleyball, basketball, and paddle boats.
RVers planning a Michigan getaway will find North Higgins Lake State Park a great option. Just 50 miles north of Clare, the park offers plenty of activities, including fishing, swimming, and hiking. For fishing enthusiasts, the state park is home to two lakes stocked with bass, perch, and sunfish. Four miles of trails wind through the woods, providing plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. Swimmers will enjoy the sandy beach on North Lake. The park also has a playground and picnic areas for families to enjoy.
Drive 49 miles east of Clare to explore the 2,000-acre Bay City State Park. Its location is convenient due to the scenic shores of Saginaw Bay, offering the potential for a beach adventure. Enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming among diverse wildlife habitats at this bay. Campers have over four miles of hiking trails that showcase several recognizable landmarks, including a replica of a Great Lakes freighter complete with cargo booms and a dredge bucket. With its 285 acres of coastal marshlands, visitors can glimpse unique birds migrating along the bird migration pathway and observe 20 species of bats in nature.
Travel north for one hour from Clare on the US-127 highway to enjoy the over 7,000-acre Hartwick Pines State Park. With your RV, you can take advantage of the campground located within the park. It has modern facilities perfect for an extended stay so you can explore all this locale offers. Spice up your visit with a trek through the old-growth white pines over 450 years old. In addition to meandering among these majestic trees, Hartwick Pines also boasts a meeting hall, picnic sites, and several miles of trails for cyclists and hikers.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-see natural wonder two hours from Clare. The site is renowned for its stunning dunes, beautiful bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, and unique islands. You will enjoy camping and picnicking along the lake's shore and exploring Cherry Avenue and Maritime Heritage trails. Take a boat tour on the Manitou Islands to discover Indian pictographs and the Sleeping Bear tradition. Several campgrounds are available for those looking to stay overnight. You'll find both sites with RV hook-ups and primitive sites to choose from.
Learn about the life of Father Jacques Marquette at the Father Marquette National Memorial, two hours from Clare. Admire the sculptures of French voyageurs, native peoples, and Father Marquette while exploring this 53-acre site. Discover the nature trails, or take a break in the picnic area. The memorial also offers ranger-led programs and hikes for visitors to learn more about the region's history. Enjoy sightseeing at Mackinac Bridge, where you can view the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
Head to Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. The site commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie during the 1812 War when nine ships under Commander Oliver Hazard Perry's command defeated a British squadron. After the battle, Perry sent a famous message to Gen. William Henry Harrison: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." Six soldiers from the battle are buried here, as is Commodore Perry himself. The 352-foot-high memorial is topped with a statue of Lady Peace and offers beautiful views of Lake Erie and the surrounding area.
Huron-Manistee National Forest is a 50-minute drive from Clare and the perfect place to enjoy all of Michigan's outdoors. With over 500,000 acres, you can enjoy camping, fishing, and hiking in the forests, rolling hills, and over 600 miles of rivers and streams. The hundreds of miles of trails make provisions for biking and horseback riding. Explore the 50 miles of Hungerford Lake Recreation Area Trails and discover the many different types of wildlife that make this forest their home.
Clare is 275 miles south of Hiawatha National Forest, which covers nearly 900,000 acres and stretches across Lake Michigan's north shore. The forest comprises two distinct units, the Hiawatha and the Seney. The Hiawatha features pristine sandy beaches, dunes, and unique inland lakes. The Seney is known for its vast wetlands and its diverse wildlife population. You will find bald eagles, ospreys, trumpeter swans, and even the elusive northern goshawk. RVers will find a wealth of excitement in this northern Michigan forest with plenty of camping sites, boating and swimming on Lake Superior, and hunting. This lovely forest also has evergreen mixed-conifer hardwood forests with breathtaking views and miles of trails perfect for paddling and snowmobiling across the snowy landscape in wintertime.
Wayne National Forest covers over 250,000 acres along the Ohio River and is about 400 miles from Clare. The forest is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, providing opportunities for swimming, boating, hiking, and camping. Discover its three distinct units, the Marietta, Ironton, and Athens. You can explore miles of diverse trails in the forest, such as the Ohio River Trail, the Iron Horse Bike Trail, and the Buckeye Trail. Explore Cantwell Cliffs, made up of sandstone cliffs that tower above the Ohio River. You can also take a trip to Wayne National Forest's Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area and enjoy a day of fishing or boating.
Indiana Dunes National Park is a picturesque paradise for RVers to explore, and it is 230 miles from Clare. Located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, this 15,000-acre park features towering dunes and over 50 miles of hiking trails. One of the most recognizable landmarks in the park is the 48-acre Cowles Bog, which is the site of many species of birds, amphibians, and other small wildlife. Explore the Tavi sands, which rank among the highest mobile dunes in the Midwest. You can hike Mount Baldy, the tallest dune, which is nearly 200 feet high.
Take a five-and-a-half-hour journey from Clare to explore the unique combination of farmland and rugged wilderness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The park boasts an expansive network of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Enjoy the tumbling Cuyahoga River, which provides opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Brandywine Falls will amaze you with its 60-foot drop and picturesque views. You can also explore the historic village of Peninsula, which features many 19th-century buildings and is the home of several nature centers. For those looking to stay overnight, there are also seven campgrounds available within the park with RV hook-up sites and primitive sites.
Compliment your exploration under 600 miles from Clare by visiting New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. The park is an outdoor paradise for RVers, with plenty of campgrounds and scenic routes to explore. Take in the breathtaking landscape from the famous New River Gorge Bridge, or hike through some beautiful trails. As one of America's oldest rivers, New River has endless activities like boating, fishing, and whitewater rafting. Take advantage of other recognizable landmarks like Endless Wall Trail and the incredible fall foliage during the autumn months at Hawks Nest State Park.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Clare, MI, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Clare?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Clare from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Clare?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
