In 1873, the town of Gaylord was established when the prominent Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroad Company pushed north from the village of Otsego Lake. It was originally called Barnes before being changed to Gaylord to honor an attorney who worked with the Michigan Central Railroad. The settlement was platted and granted a post office in 1874. In 1905, the city started a marketing campaign to attract outside investors and residents. Gaylord became an official suburb of Michigan in 1922. More lodging establishments and restaurants sprung up as the city gained a recreational reputation. The abundance of winter snowfall, as well as the steep hills, attracted many annual tourists interested in downhill skiing.
Most of the old train section in and around Gaylord has been converted to biking and snowmobiling trails. One of the most prominent examples of this is the 62-mile recreational North Central State Trail. This path runs parallel to Interstate 75 from Gaylord to Mackinaw City, where it connects to the 32-mile North Western State Trail. When traversing this trail, you'll likely come across the Cheboygan River, Mullett Lake, and the Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park.
The 1,972-acre Otsego Lake in northwest Michigan is a mostly shallow lake that doesn't reach past eight feet deep in most areas. The lake is a popular destination for boating, water skiing, and paddle boarding between spring and fall. Anglers have the chance to catch lake sturgeon, yellow perch, walleye, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Enjoy the lake and surrounding land by parking your RV at the nearby 62-acre Otsego Lake State Park.
The Gaylord KOA Holiday gives you exceptional access to local events like Big Ticket Festival and Alpenfest. This RV park has a heated pool, playgrounds, a mini golf course, volleyball courts, and a jump pad. The spacious campsites come with full hookups as well as free high-speed wifi.
The Saginaw Bay RV Resort & Campground by Outdoor Adventures in Standish has more than 365 family-friendly RV campsites. Its convenient location gives you access to several outlet stores and Eagles Landing Casino. This campground provides a general store, fitness room, chapel, and snack shack. There are multiple pools, hot tubs, golf courses, and water slides, so everyone in your group should be able to find something to like.
Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park in Mount Pleasant has a sprawling water park as well as a 45-acre fishing lake. Spend your summer afternoons lounging on the private beach or playing with your pet in the dog area. Other amenities include a clubhouse, walking trails, and a free shuttle service to the nearby casino. The 67 large RV sites have concrete pads and water and electrical hookups.
Hartwick Pines State Park is home to both the Michigan Forest Visitor Center and Hartwick Pines Logging Museum. Of the park's seven trails, the short Bright and Glory Lakes Trail brings you closest to the shoreline. The fishing pier on Lakes Bright and Glory is handicap accessible. You can also sign your family up for a seasonal program at the visitor center. The Hartwick Pines Modern campground has spacious, pet-friendly campsites with full hookups.
Burt Lake State Park is known for its astonishing 2,000 feet of shoreline. Stop by at any time of year to camp, picnic, sightsee, hike, fish or boat. This park is home to the Cross in the Woods National Shrine, the largest crucifix in the world. You'll find particularly stunning vistas during the winter when the landscape is covered in glittering snow. Ice fishing and cross-country skiing are also popular at this time. The 400-acre recreational area has more than 300 campsites that come with electrical hookups. Other helpful amenities include water spigots and a dump station.
The massive 9,900-acre lake at North Higgins Lake State Park has been recognized as one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States by National Geographic. The park has two beginner-friendly trails and the 6.5-mile North Higgins-Beaver Creek Trail, which is better for experienced hikers. You're welcome to rent a canoe or kayak for $10 an hour. Visit the Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum to learn more about the local efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The Father Marquette National Memorial in the Upper Peninsula near the Mackinac Bridge honors the French explorer who founded a mission in the area. Father Marquette helped to build relationships with the local Native American tribes and ensure the colonists thrived. The memorial itself is small, but it gives you access to the beautiful Straits State Park. At this park, you can hike, swim and enjoy views of the Mackinac Bridge and nearby St. Ignace. The Central Trail runs from the main viewing platform past the observation deck for the bridge and on through the forest.
Enjoy one of the most iconic stretches of the Great Lakes shoreline at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Along with sandy beaches and irresistible vistas of Lake Michigan, you'll also witness dunes that tower 450 feet high. This park has a 100-mile trail network that permits hiking, snowshoeing, biking, and cross-country skiing. You can also spend your afternoons sunbathing, swimming, surfing, or paddling. The 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a great way to see some of the best sights in this park.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore consists of multicolored sandstone cliffs that loom 200 feet above Lake Superior's clear waters. There are six inland islands and 111 miles of nature trails. Journey to this remote site to enjoy pristine campsites, once-in-a-lifetime sunsets, and remarkable beaches. Nearby Munising offers watercraft rentals and recreational tours. You'll find the greatest view of the cliffs while walking the 10-mile moderate Chapel Loop Trail.
Huron-Manistee National Forest spans nearly one million acres between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The more than 300 miles of nature trails are popular with hikers of all skill levels. Many of the paths are multi-purpose and open to mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. You can see more than 238 species of plants in the forest's designated wildlife preserve. There are also over 400 species of birds and 200 mammal species. For anglers, you're welcome to fish for salmon, steelhead, rainbow trout, and brook trout from many of the local lakes and rivers.
In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, you'll find the 894,836-acre Hiawatha National Forest. Don't miss out on walking part of the more than 100 miles of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior shoreline. Some of the countless animals that live in the forest include timber wolves, river otters, red foxes, black bears, minks, and sandhill cranes. Consider walking part of the renowned 4,600-mile North Country Trail or checking out the many lighthouses along the shores. The Point Iroquois Light was constructed in 1856 and is now operated as a marine museum. Tours are open every day of the week between Memorial Day and mid-October.
Ottawa National Forest stretches from the south shore of Lake Superior nearly one million acres to Wisconsin. The part of this forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has more than 2,000 miles of nature trails and 18 stunning waterfalls. Ice fishing is most popular in the northern region, but you'll find plenty of other fishing opportunities in the forest's 500 lakes and 2,000 miles of rivers all year long. Feel free to check out the local abundance of fascinating flora or head to the Bergland Cultural Heritage Center and Museum to see their native plant garden. There are three EarthCaches here, with two of them near the visitor center. If you're looking for excellent stargazing spots, consider heading to one of the many beaches on Hagerman Lake or Black River Harbor.
Indiana Dunes National Park is 312 miles south on the southern edge of Lake Michigan. This park has 20 square miles of wilderness and 15 miles of beautiful shoreline, offering various habitats to explore. Take your time hiking, biking, or backpacking through the forests, dunes, prairies, and wetlands. Make sure to reserve plenty of time for sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports like paddling. Due to its proximity to Lake Michigan, the weather here can change quickly and unexpectedly. In general, however, the summers are humid and warm, while the winters often dip below freezing. When visiting, don't miss the opportunity to see the sunset over lake Michigan from one of the sandy beaches.
Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park sits on the Cuyahoga River between the major cities of Akron and Cleveland. About 388 miles away from Gaylord, it's home to rolling hills, grand forests, wetlands, and narrow ravines. Millions of visitors stop by every year to check out the park's 100 waterfalls. One of the most famous cascades is the 65-foot Brandywine Falls, the tallest waterfall in Northeast Ohio. If you're interested in hiking any of the 125 miles of nature trails, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Some of the most popular attractions include the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Isle Royale National Park is about six hours north on an island in Lake Superior. It's included as part of the Upper Peninsula and can only be traversed by foot or boat. While you won't find cars on the island, you're likely to love the many delightful lighthouses. For some low-impact exercise, you can walk the nature trail that was carved out eons ago during the Ice Age. You can also visit the wildlife refuge or take part in seasonal events. The park is open throughout the year, but these programs mostly take place between June and August. Additionally, consider filling your Isle Royale itinerary with island cruises, swimming, hiking, kayaking, or scuba diving.
On average, the price to rent a motorhome is $120-200 per day, $360-600 for three nights, and about $800-1,400 for a week. Some owners will give you a discounted price the more days you rent. Check the listing details or ask the owner directly if you plan to book a longer stay.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Gaylord, MI RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What is included in my Gaylord, MI RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Can I have my Gaylord, MI RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
