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Trails, Parks, and More in Gaylord, Michigan





Gaylord is an Alpine-inspired village in Northern Michigan that is known for its recreational offerings and downtown shopping district. Its nearby golf and ski resorts also attract visitors to the area year-round.

Gaylord Area Trails

The town is also a destination for snowmobilers, hikers and mountain bikers, who use the Mackinaw City-Cheboygan-Gaylord Trail to travel to Mackinaw City. The trail goes north from downtown Gaylord to the western edge of Cheboygan and then continues to Mackinaw City. The trail surface is primarily dirt and gravel.

Snowmobilers can also take a ride to Mancelona using trails in the area. It's approximately 40 miles (one-way) to Mancelona.

Gaylord has a few short paved paths for walking, jogging, and cycling. The longest routes are along Old US-27. The trail along Old US-27 on the northern edge of town goes to Gaylord High School and is approximately 7/10 of a mile one-way. The trails along US-27 on the south edge of town pass a few area businesses and restaurants. There are also some paved paths west of I-75 along Main Street and Dickerson Road.

Aspen Park is the largest recreation area in Gaylord, with miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The park's trails are used year-round and provide an excellent work out.

Gaylord - Johannesburg Bike Route

Along M-32, there is a wide-shoulder bike route that starts at Oak Street in Gaylord and goes east past the Otsego Club. The paved road shoulder on M-32 to Johannesburg passes many farms and goes over rolling hills. The paved bike route is about 13 miles one way and can be used to reach downtown Gaylord. M-32 can be a busy road at times, so obey traffic laws and stay alert when riding on the shoulder of the road.

Before you go, it's a good idea to check the State of Michigan's construction database to make sure there will not be any construction on the road that can interfere with your ride.

Gaylord Parks

Gaylord has several other city parks that provide excellent opportunities to get outdoors and have some fun.
  • Craig J. Galvin Park on Second Street is adjacent to the Otsego County Community Center. The park has basketball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground.

  • Aspen Park has a couple of tennis courts and trails for cross-country skiing and mountain biking.

  • Freel Park on Mitchell Street is a small play area for children. The park has a nice playground and a couple of picnic tables.

  • George Doumas Memorial Park has a baseball diamond, picnic facilities, and modern playground equipment. There is also a short, paved walking path that winds around the park. No animals are allowed at George Doumas Memorial Park, which is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Winter Sports

The Gaylord area is a favorite for outdoor activities during the winter months. There are ski resorts and snowmobile routes close by, and Gaylord has many restaurants, stores and places to stay.

Treetops Resort and the Otsego Club are located to the east of downtown Gaylord, and both offer fun and challenging skiing and snowboarding runs for many skill levels.

For snowmobilers, the Mackinaw City-Cheboygan-Gaylord Trail is a popular snowmobiling trail. The snowmobile trails that go south to Grayling are also very active between late December and early March.

More About Gaylord

The downtown shopping district has a variety of shops and restaurants. There are also many choices west of I-75 on Main Street/M-32. Gaylord has numerous hotels to choose from for an overnight stay, mostly near the exits for I-75.

If golfing is your passion, Treetops Resort and the Otsego Club are two excellent options in the Gaylord area.



Photographs
View photos of the Gaylord, Aspen Park, Doumas Memmorial Park, Freel Park, and more.
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