We have stayed at Parkview Lodge in Toivola MI which is south of Houghton Lake. It's right on the trail and has plenty of parking for trailers. Another bonus is it has a bar and restaurant attached to it and a pool, sauna and whirlpool. I highly recommend it.

 

We have stayed at Parkview Lodge in Toivola MI which is south of Houghton Lake. It's right on the trail and has plenty of parking for trailers. Another bonus is it has a bar and restaurant attached to it and a pool, sauna and whirlpool. I highly recommend it.

Toivola is South of Houghton(UP) , not South of Houghton Lake(LP)
Both names for the same great land surveyor though, Douglas Houghton.

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Lake township which is on the west side of Houghton Lake near the main trailheads (trail 6/7) doesn’t allow short term rentals. That reduces some of your options (although some still rent in violation of ordinances).

As a result, my advice is to check with hotels and smaller cabin/campground places on the west side of the lake if you are looking for the most direct trail access from the lake area itself.

We have a cottage on the west side of Houghton Lake, so I am fairly familiar with it all. Been snowmobiling out of our cottage there for 6 years now.

The Lakeside Resort near the west DNR launch might be a good thing to look into. They have a huge parking lot, and always have a massive influx of snowmobiliers, ice-fishers, and in the summer boaters. That hotel is large, lakeside, has a connected restaurant, indoor pool and waterslides, and huge parking lot. Importantly, you can get on the lake directly, head about 5 miles north on the lake to the north bay, and then hoop on the main trail system at the trail 6/7 trailhead. Technically the hotel is about 5 miles south of the trailhead via roadway as well if you wanted to drive to the trailhead parking lot instead of riding north across the lake. It’s the largest place closest to the main trail system unless you want to look at options on the south side of the lake, and connect with the trails south of HL running to places east and west. I am less familiar with those areas since we are on the west side of the lake near the main trailhead intersection for trails 6/7.

Website: Lakeside Resort, Houghton Lake

 

Thanks for the detailed post I will have to look into Lakeside.

Anyone have other suggestions at Higgins lake or maybe Grayling (that is where we stop for gas and dinner).

Thanks again for the replies!

 

I ride up to Grayling on the trails sometimes too. There is that Ramada with the massive parking lot immediatley at the trail end going into the south side of town. Trail ends at their parking lot. That would be direct on and off access. Gas station is across the street. Then immediately next to it on the other side or the Ramada is a Day Inn (99% sure its a Day Inn). Those would be options if you are looking for great access and willing to go there.

I don’t know any Higgins Lake access details because we’re so close being on HL that I’ve never looked at access and good places to stay on Higgins. Probably some good options there too. Good luck and have fun!!!

 

The Ramada Inn in Grayling is an old hotel, huge. With a parking lot to match. Stayed there a few times. "Clean and Dated" with great prices. The trail runs along the back of the parking lot. There are places to eat and have a beer in walking distance or a short ride. The Days Inn to the north of The Ramada is another option. The trail goes through their parking lot as well.

The trails system connects with Frederic to the North. Look up Sleadheads of Frederic. They are fantastic. Some of the most honest trail reports in the area on their web site. They also have cabins to rent and can guide you as to other options for where to stay. For a nominal fee, you can park in their back lot for the day. It should be able to handle your rig. Or the trail head parking lot about a mile to the East, as long as your turning radius is not too tight. I have heard Sleadheads also has a gated storage lot just south of Frederic to stash your trailer if you need to.

Some great rides to the North and North West out of Grayling. And also South toward Houghton Lake, and then East toward St Helen.

There is a trail head parking lot just to the North East of Grayling that connects with a great trail system to the East. It might be tight for a big rig. However, the trails from there wind around to connect with those in Grayling.

The whole area is very snowmobile friendly. Sledding to get gas or a restaurant was seldom a problem. Just used common sense and followed the tracks. There are lots of tracks.

Some other considerations. The trails out of St Helen connect with those in Grayling. The trail system around St Helens is among my favorites. There are two "Trail Head Parking Lots" in St Helen. One just off the Interstate that would not fit your trailer. And a second just to the south of their Airport. On the East side of St Helen. That one can easily handle any size truck and trailer. Many over size rigs would not be an issue. There are trails that connect the parking lots. Many main trails and lots of side trails to explore out of St Helen.

Depending on the snow, we would sometimes start at the trail head just north of Clare in Harrison. That parking lot is big, with room for a larger rig. But it fills up later in the day, so get there early to have a clear shot of getting out to avoid getting boxed in.

Last winter had a lot of "iffy" snow days. So we would generally check to see where the fresh snow was, and head there. Between St Helen, Frederic, Grayling, or Harrison, we had a fantastic season. Especially during the week when others would stay away because of the reported lack of snow. We would frequently have the trails to our selves with 3 inches or so of fresh snow. Enough when it is just you. :- )

So that might give you some other area options.

Let me know if you have questions, but suggest Sleadheads of Frederic as a place to start.

_Jack

 

Another option is Gaylord as they just built within the past year or 2 three new hotels. You can head in any direction from Gaylord, but the problem might be the traffic especially on the weekend.

 

Great suggestions! Definitely going to check out the Ramada!

Ya, when we road into Grayling we just road right up to the gas station in town. And the most of the restaurants were full of sleds. Seemed like a nice little town.

 

I think the Grayling area is great, and lots of great snowmobiling to do north, south, and both northwest and southwest from there. I plan to take a couple longer trips up past there from HL this winter. Considering maybe even trying my first multi-day trip. Not sure, but thinking about it.

Anyway, someday I will have a trailer, and be able to travel to places to sled like you. For now, I just have to sled out of our cottage on Houghton Lake. Not a bad spot, but someday it will be cool to travel to new areas.

Good luck making a decision, and happy sledding this winter.

 

Ya, we live near Toledo Ohio, not much snow here anymore. That and there are no trails here anyway so we have to travel. The field just isn't fun after a while.

Do you see any cottages for sail on HL that are under 200K? Kinda looking for something so we don't have trailer all the time?

 

yes lots with no water frontage