About Gladwin County
Gladwin County is located in the northeast central section of Michigan’s lower peninsula. The county was named in 1831 for British Major Henry Gladwin of Fort Detroit who led the only fort in the Midwest to withstand the assaults of Chief Pontiac’s five-month siege in 1763, when Pontiac resisted the settlement of Michigan and Ohio.
The first settlers to the area were Marvel Secord and his family who in 1861 canoed up the Tittabawassee River to the mouth of the Sugar River, just a few miles from where the city of Gladwin exists today. The county remained untamed until the 1880s, when many lumber towns were established here because of the thick white pine forests. Later, oil was discovered near the Beaverton area.
Today, Gladwin County’s economy includes auto parts manufacturing, thermoforming, RV manufacturing, wood products, construction and agriculture. Tourism plays a special role in Gladwin County’s waterways, with several dams on the Tittabawassee, Sugar, Tobacco and Cedar Rivers creating opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing and sightseeing.
The Tittabawassee State Forest to the east, almost a fourth of the entire county, offers plenty of opportunity for hiking, hunting and snowmobiling. This area also includes a large 35,000 acre game preserve, the Gladwin Game Refuge, in the Northern part of the County.
Gladwin County Events & Attractions
Gladwin County offers a variety of attractions, including outdoor recreation areas like Secord Lake, the Tittabawassee State Forest and the Gladwin County Recreation Area, as well as historical sites like the Gladwin County Historical Society Museum.
Sugar Springs Golf Course
Sugar Springs is a planned All Seasons Recreational Community located about halfway between Gladwin and West Branch, Michigan. The community features a wide variety of homes set among two all-sport lakes and a championship, 18-hole golf course.
The Trail of Two Cities
The Trail of Two Cities, so named as it will eventually connect Gladwin and Beaverton, is a paved all-seasons trail that can be used for walking, running, roller-blading, biking and more. There is never a charge to use the trail and it is ADA accessible. The trail promotes healthy living in Gladwin County.
River Valley RV Park
Nestled in the heart of Gladwin, Michigan, River Valley RV Park has been a cherished getaway for families, nature lovers and adventure seekers. The 49-acre park is surrounded by lush trees, a tranquil river and a private lake, making it the perfect spot for swimming, fishing and kayaking.
Wixom Lake Fishing
When at its legal summer level, Wixom Lake is approximately 1,980 acres and can reach depths up to 40 feet. Michiganders from across the state visit the lake to boat and fish in its freshwaters. Anglers love the lake for its variety of fish including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.
ORV Fun Fest
A fun-filled day of 70+ miles of ORV riding along with a mud course. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a full day of prizes, food and fun. Register on our ORV Fun Fest Event on our calendar.
