Camp Grayling

Camp Grayling, near Grayling, is located primarily in Crawford County, Michigan, and spreads over three counties. Camp Grayling is the main training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest US National Guard training facility in the USA.

Camp Grayling was founded in 1913 on an initial grant of land from Grayling lumber baron Rasmus Hanson to the State of Michigan for military training. It includes 147,000 acres (590 km²) in Crawford, Kalkaska and Otsego counties. Much of the land is accessible to the public for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and other recreational uses (when military training isn't happening).

Troops first started training at Camp Grayling in 1914. During the summer months Camp Grayling hosts National Guard units from Michigan, the surrounding states and Canada. Large artillery, mortar and tank ranges as well as maneuver courses highlight the camp. Recently Forward Operating Bases have been constructed to allow company-sized units to simulate operations.