Roscommon is the county seat for Roscommon County and is located in the north-central part of the county. Higgins Lake is one of the biggest Attractions: amusement parks, casinos, farms & mills, historic sites, lighthouses, museums, tours, wineries, zoos, planetariums, and waterfalls. the the Roscommon area. National Geographic Magazine once described it as the sixth most beautiful lake in the world. The South Branch of the Au Sable River runs through town. Roscommon is an ideal place to stay and enjoy the wonderful recreational opportunities the community has to offer - boating, canoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling. Roscommon is a gateway to Kirtland’s Warbler country to the north. Bird-watchers from all over the world visit the area for a chance to view the endangered bird species. Tours of the Kirtland’s Warber habitat area are available from the U.S. Forest Service offices in Mio and Grayling. Kirtland Community College sponsors the annual Kirtland’s Warbler Festival.

Attractions: amusement parks, casinos, farms & mills, historic sites, lighthouses, museums, tours, wineries, zoos, planetariums, and waterfalls.

Backus Lake [Wildlife Viewing Area] - Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Roscommon Operations Service Center, (989) 275-5151.  Closest Towns: Prudenville and Roscommon.  From the intersection of M-18 and M-55 just east of Prudenville, drive north on M-18 about 1.5 miles to the junction of M-18 and M-157. Stay on M-18 but turn right (east) at the first road past this intersection. Proceed 3/4 mile to an unmarked intersection and turn left. After another 0.9 miles the road forks. Turn to the left to go to the dam or continue another 1.5 miles to the main lake area.   This shallow lake and the surrounding wetlands are popular with wildlife, and although the site has few improvements, it is popular with summer recreationists, too. Access is limited to foot traffic on the east side of the Backus Lake dam. This foot-access-only helps ensure a quiet, peaceful walk through forestlands, wildlife openings, and along the natural lakeshore. Backus Lake is the southern-most lake in a series of three wetland lakes, all state-owned, along the Backus Creek drainage. The other two wetlands, the Backus Creek Wildlife Flooding and Little Mud Lake, are located just north, and downstream, of one another. These three lakes, all with water levels enhanced by dams, create a wetland complex attractive to many species of wildlife.  Loons nest on Backus Lake and can be best observed in the spring and early summer. Seeing a loon with chicks in the still morning mist is a sight not soon forgotten. The Backus Lake loons are one of only several hundred pairs remaining in the state, so please do not approach or disturb them. The clearcuts and other forest habitats, including nearby managed forest openings, are also great places to view wildlife. Watch and listen for male woodcock performing their unusual courtship displays in these openings in early April. They begin on the ground, calling out a loud, nasal "peeeent." They then launch straight up into the air and emit a chirping sound as they fly tight circles back to the ground, where they start their displays all over again. Coyotes and bobcats are quite common in this area. Look for their tracks along sandy trails. An osprey nesting platform close to the road provides an excellent look at these amazing aerial anglers, and beavers have constructed a lodge of sticks in the lake near the platform. An eagle’s nest is found nearby and these magnificent birds of prey can often be seen soaring in search of food such as fish, ducks, muskrats, even turtles.

Cindy Lou's Zoo, 6327 N. M-18, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-4500

Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, North Higgins Lake State Park, 11747 N. Higgins Lake Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 821-6125. The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum is located in North Higgins Lake State Park near Roscommon, 15 miles south of Grayling, along Roscommon Road. Exit from I-75 or U.S. 127 Housed in a replica of Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) barracks, this museum preserves the history of young men who served in the CCC in Michigan during the Great Depression (1933-1942). In an effort to “put Americans back to work,” the CCC enrolled over 100,000 young Michigan men to perform a variety of conservation and reforestation projects. Open Memorial Day - Labor Day.

Michigan Fireman's Memorial, 1295 E. Robinson Lake Road, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (810) 635-9513

DINING & FOOD:  BREWERIES, DINER TRAINS & CRUISES, CASUAL DINING, FINE DINING AND ETHNIC RESTAURANTS

Forest Dunes Golf Club [Golf Course & Restaurant], 6399 Forest Dunes Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-0700

Fred's Dining & Cocktails, 430 North 5th St., Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-5366

Tee Pee Motel & Restaurant, 333 West Federal Highway, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-5203

Places to Stay:  Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins & Cottages, Condos & Vacation Rentals, Historic Inns, Hotels & Motels, Resorts

Tell Them You Found Them in the Enchanted Forest Guide to Northern Michigan

Birch Lodge, 8090 West Higgins Lake Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 821-6261

Great Escape Motor Lodge, 8097 North Harrison Road, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 821-6343

Michigan Bed & Breakfast Guide [Bed & Breakfast Inns], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Northern Michigan Cabin & Cottage Rentals [Cabin & Cottage Rentals], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Peltons Deerland Motel, 9370 North Harrison Road, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-5774

Tee Pee Motel & Restaurant, 333 West Federal Highway, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-5203

Community Organizations: civic, fraternal, veteran, etc

Michigan Area Retiree Activities Office (RAO) [Support Services for Military Retirees], 5671 Skeel Avenue, Suite 12, Oscoda, Michigan 48750, (989) 739-2777

Michigan Tree Farm System, 501 Norway Street, Grayling, MI 49738, (989) 348-9319

OUTDOORS: BEACHES, BIKING, BOATING, CAMPING, CANOEING, DOG-SLEDDING, FISHING, GOLFING, HIKING, HUNTING, KAYAKING, ORV, NATURE & PARKS, RENTALS,  SCUBA DIVING, SKIING, SNOWMOBILING, ETC.

B & B Sports Center & Marina [Personal Watercraft Rentals], 431 Clare Blvd, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 821-6549

Bambi Lake Baptist Camp, 3468 East Robinson Lake Road, Roscommon, MI 48653, (989) 275-5844

Campbell's Canoe Livery [Canoe & Kayak Rentals], 1112 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-5810

Cross Country Ski Headquarters Cross Country Ski Area, 9435 North Cut Road, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 821-6661

Cut River Canoe Livery, 1136 E Higgins Lake, Roscommon, Michigan 48653, Phone: (989) 821-8785

Golfing Michigan [Public Golf Coures], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Michigan Paddlesports Directory [Canoeing & Kayaking], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Watters Edge Canoe Livery, 10799 Dana Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-5568

Services

Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service [Domain Names, Web Hosting, Online Marketing Services and Website Design], 3980 Curtisville Road, Curtisville, South Branch, MI 48761, Phone: (989) 725-4416

Shopping:  antique shops, art galleries, arts & crafts shops, flea markets, gift shops, outlet malls, shopping centers, shopping districts, and specialty shops

Antique Lil Cottage Shop, 320 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-7467

Our Place Antiques, 603 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653, Phone: (989) 275-6877

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Copyright 1997-2013, All rights reserved.
Enchanted Forest Web Page Design Service. 
“Promoting Northern Michigan Businesses Since 1997”
3980 Curtisville Road, South Branch, MI 48761-9704
Created on Januaray 1, 1997. Last updated on Thursday, April 11, 2013
Number of pages 594