Northern Michigan’s Grayling and Gaylord area sits inside some of the best hiking country in the Lower Peninsula. Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling has 9,335 acres and 21 miles of trails — including old-growth pine forest you can’t find almost anywhere else in Michigan. Pigeon River Country State Forest, 20 miles north of Gaylord, covers over 105,000 acres and is home to Michigan’s elk herd. Trails run from easy 2-mile loops to multi-day backpacking routes. Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground in Frederic sits right between both areas.
What’s the best hiking near Grayling, Michigan?
Start at Hartwick Pines. The 9,335-acre park has 21 miles of trails, including a 1.25-mile paved Old Growth Forest Trail that winds through some of the last remaining old-growth pine in Michigan. The big trees alone are worth the drive. These pines were here before Michigan was a state. State of Michigan
From the park entrance, the Grayling Bicycle Turnpike is a 10-mile paved trail that connects Hartwick Pines to downtown Grayling and continues to Hanson Hills Recreation Area. It’s flat and easy — a good choice if your knees have opinions. State of Michigan
The Mason Tract is another favorite near Grayling. It follows the South Branch of the Au Sable River through quiet state land. You’ll share it with trout fishermen and almost nobody else during the week.
You need a Michigan Recreation Passport to park at state park trailheads. You can add it when you renew your vehicle registration.
What are the best hiking trails near Gaylord, Michigan?
Gaylord has more variety than most people expect.
The Jordan Valley Pathway is an 18.8-mile loop with a rustic campground at the halfway point. It takes you through high ridges, scenic vistas, and along the banks of the Jordan River. If you don’t want the full loop, the Deadman’s Hill trailhead offers a 3-mile out-and-back that still gives you one of the best views in the area. GaylordGaylord
The Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve has over 11 miles of trails spread across 764 acres near Johannesburg — forests, meadows, lake views, and remnants of an old lumber camp. It’s low-key and rarely crowded. Gaylord
For something shorter, Pickerel Lake Pathway is a pleasant 2-mile loop just northeast of Gaylord with frequent lake views through old pine forest and cedar swamp. It’s a good one for an evening walk after dinner. Gaylord
What’s hiking like in Pigeon River Country State Forest?
This is the real deal. Pigeon River Country is a rugged 105,000-acre tract about 20 miles north of Gaylord. It’s crisscrossed with dirt roads, old two-tracks, and trails dotted with lakes and trout streams. Michigan Trail Maps
The Shingle Mill Pathway is the most popular trail system in the forest — five loops ranging from ¾ mile to 11 miles, with portions winding along the Pigeon River. You can do a short loop or string several together for a full day. Michigan Trail Maps
The High Country Pathway is a 70-mile loop through the heart of the Northern Lower Peninsula, with most backpackers needing five to seven days to complete it. There’s rustic camping along the way if you want to spend a few nights in the backcountry. Michigan Trail Maps
One thing to know: cell service and GPS can be spotty in the Pigeon. Pick up a paper map at the state forest headquarters before you head out. Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Can I see elk while hiking near Gaylord?
There’s a real chance. Pigeon River Country is home to a herd of over 1,000 elk — one of the largest free-roaming elk herds east of the Mississippi. Gaylord
The best time to see them is early September through mid-October, when bulls bugle to form harems during the rut. Thousands of people come to Pigeon River Country specifically for the bugling season. You can hear it from your sleeping bag on a still morning. Michigan Trail Maps
Summer is trickier. In the summer months, elk head into thick underbrush to escape the heat. You can still spot them in meadows near dawn and dusk — it just takes patience. The DNR offers an Elk Viewing Map at the state forest headquarters showing the best locations by season. Michigan Trail Maps
Can I bring my dog on the hiking trails near Grayling and Gaylord?
Most of the trails in this area allow leashed dogs. State forest trails are generally open to dogs. Hartwick Pines State Park allows leashed dogs on trails as well.
About 75% of guests at Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground bring dogs. We’ve got a dog park right on the property and a dog wash station so you can get them cleaned up after a muddy trail day. A tired, muddy dog after a day at Hartwick Pines is a happy dog.
If you’re heading into Pigeon River Country, keep in mind that elk are present. Keep your dog leashed and under control — not just for the rules, but because an excited dog and a 700-pound bull elk don’t mix well.
By the Numbers
- Hartwick Pines State Park: 9,335 acres, 21 miles of trails, 10 miles north of Grayling (Michigan DNR)
- Old Growth Forest Trail at Hartwick Pines: 1.25 miles, paved and accessible (Michigan DNR)
- Grayling Bicycle Turnpike: 10-mile paved multi-use trail connecting Hartwick Pines to downtown Grayling (Michigan DNR)
- Pigeon River Country State Forest: 105,000+ acres, 20 miles north of Gaylord (Michigan DNR)
- Michigan elk herd at Pigeon River Country: 1,000+ animals, largest free-roaming herd east of the Mississippi (Michigan DNR)
- High Country Pathway: 70-mile loop, 5–7 days to complete (Michigan DNR)
- Shingle Mill Pathway: 5 loops, ¾ to 11 miles (Pigeon River Country Discovery Center)
- Jordan Valley Pathway near Gaylord: 18.8-mile loop with rustic campsite at midpoint (Gaylord Tourism Bureau)
- Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve near Johannesburg: 11 miles of trails across 764 acres (Gaylord Tourism Bureau)
- Distance from Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground to Grayling: ~15 minutes
- Distance from Hankerd’s to Gaylord: ~15 minutes
- Distance from Hankerd’s to Pigeon River Country trailheads: ~30 minutes
- Campground rates: $45/night · $250/week · $800/month
The Bottom Line
The Grayling and Gaylord area gives hikers everything from a flat 2-mile lake loop to a week-long backcountry route through elk country. You don’t have to pick one — you can do several over a long weekend. Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground in Frederic puts you 15 minutes from Grayling and Gaylord both, with full hookups, a dog park, and trails right out back through state land. Book online at HankerdCampgrounds.com or call 989-277-9003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit or pass to hike in this area? You need a Michigan Recreation Passport to park at state park trailheads like Hartwick Pines. It’s available when you renew your vehicle registration or at the park entrance. State forest trails — including Pigeon River Country — are generally free to access without a day pass.
What’s the easiest hike near Grayling for someone who doesn’t want a big day? The Old Growth Forest Trail at Hartwick Pines is 1.25 miles, paved, and flat. It’s accessible and takes about 45 minutes at a slow pace. The big pines make it feel like something, even on a short walk.
What trail should I hike if I want to see elk? Head to Pigeon River Country State Forest, about 30 minutes from the campground. The Shingle Mill Pathway goes right through elk habitat. Your best odds are September and October during the rut. Mornings and evenings are best any time of year.
Is there good hiking right from the campground? We’ve got trails on the property that connect into state land. It’s nothing like the named pathways at Hartwick Pines or the Pigeon, but it’s quiet and pretty — and you can walk right from your site. Horseshoe Lake and Bluegill Lake are both a short walk.
When’s the best time of year to hike up here? Late May through October is solid. Fall is the best — the color peaks in late September and the bugs are long gone. July and August can bring mosquitoes and deer flies in shady, wet areas. Bring bug spray if you’re hiking anywhere near standing water in summer.
About John Hankerd
John Hankerd and his wife Sue own and operate Hankerd’s Horseshoe Lake Campground in Frederic, MI — a quiet, dog-friendly retreat tucked into Michigan state land in Crawford County. They stumbled onto the property, discovered an abandoned campground that had sat empty for 20 years, and brought it back to life. John knows Northern Michigan the way only a local can. If you’re thinking about heading up north, he’s happy to point you in the right direction. Book online at HankerdCampgrounds.com or call 989-277-9003.