Gahagan is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and funded by its members, generous donors, and the endowment left by Marguerite Gahagan herself. Her former estate now serves as a public wildlife sanctuary and is open to the community for hiking, biking, and sightseeing. MGNP is dedicated to preserving Marguerite Gahagan's legacy of outdoor appreciation and communication by offering environmental education programs for area students and communities. We host field trips, camps, and guided tours for many schools and organizations in the area.

The Higgins Lake Nursery operated from 1903 to 1965. It began as an experiment in reforestation and became one of the world’s largest pine nurseries, laying the foundation for a successful state forest system. In the 1930s, more than 100,000 Michigan men were enrolled in the federal Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps. They performed a variety of conservation and reforestation projects around the state, doing decades worth of work in just 9 years.

The CCC Museum has many photographs and artifacts depicting the CCC workers day-to-day life and accomplishments, including a replica CCC barracks building with exhibits. This group between 1933 and 1942 planted 484 million trees, constructed 7000 miles of truck trails, 504 bridges and 222 buildings. Admission is free; however, a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to the grounds.

Copper Kettle Distilling is located in Prudenville just off the shore of beautiful Houghton Lake. Stop in and enjoy an enchanting variety of expertly crafted cocktails and a menu featuring an extensive array of smoked BBQ delights and more. Get ready for an immersive culinary experience that will leave you craving for more.

Let’s get muddy. Let’s rev up our engines and venture out on hundreds of miles of the best ORV trails in the State of Michigan. Here two-track, twisty single-track, and soggy mud bogs welcome dirt bikes, quads and four-wheelers. The nearly 60 miles of recreational trails attract visitors from miles away and all walks of life. One of the main attractions for hard-core four-wheel drive enthusiasts is the challenge of the six rock crawl courses constructed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in 2010. Designed for standard four-by-four pick ups and street legal jeeps, it takes a lot of skill, patience and often goading to try the challenging course. But for the rest, the St. Helen Motorsports Area offers just about everything ATV and ORV riders could want.

The Caribbean comes to Houghton Lake! The Frog outdoor tiki bar has a great grill menu and the décor makes you feel like you are on an island somewhere in the Caribbean. Throughout the year they host many events: trivia, comedy, beer & wine tasting, annual Cheeseburger party and more. Many great memories have been made and everybody leaves with a new friend or two!

Lyman's has everything you need for a day on the lake...bait, tackle, candy, snacks, ice, pop, beer, liquor, wine, Costa sunglasses and Stormy Kromer hats. Cabin and shanty rentals also available.

The Boat Access Site was leased from the DNR in 2010. This area is one of the areas best for active individuals that just can't get enough of the water. A boat launch site is available to get your boat out onto Lake Saint Helen, a huge parking area for people with boat trailers, a smaller beach area for those that just want a quick swim or just a taste of the water, a walking area for priceless views of the lake, and the new Lake Saint Helen Fishing Pier and Handicap Accessible Kayak launch. All of these wonderful perks make this a great location for a few fun hours or a long day out on our 2400 acre all sports lake.

Morning Glory is a unique mix of gifts, antiques, vintage, and handmade items. A Northern Michigan gem!! More than 30 small businesses in one place. Morning Glory Mercantile is a quaint retail store nestled in the heart of Houghton Lake, MI. Specializing in a variety of unique products, it offers a charming shopping experience for locals and visitors alike. With a curated selection of goods ranging from home decor to gifts and accessories, Morning Glory Mercantile caters to those seeking one-of-a-kind items. Customers can explore the store's eclectic offerings and discover hidden treasures waiting to be found.

The Firemen's Memorial is a monument dedicated to all fire fighters that have died in the line of duty. This memorial is one of few in the nation to honor these fallen heroes. Each year usually during the 3rd week of September, the Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival is held in remembrance these brave citizens at the Roscommon County Fire Training Grounds. During this festival there is a parade, antique equipment demonstration, a memorial service, a light parade, music, dancing, emergency crew competitions and many more planned activities.

The Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau has been placing caches for many years. One travel bug has gone nearly 7,000 miles and has been placed in Germany. There are more than 1,000 geocaches in Roscommon County, many located among the natural beauty of the area. Come and enjoy this real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game with your family or while hiking along our lakes and streams. The award winning ORB GeoTour offers a fun challenge for geocachers in the heart of Northern Michigan. Thirty geocaches have been hidden throughout Roscommon and Ogemaw Counties. They highlight the best of the area in any season! Find at least 28 of the caches, fill out the survey, and receive a collectable, trackable, geocoin. Find all 30 caches to receive your digital souvenir.