Steady progress for RV park under construction in Gaylord

GAYLORD — Construction activity continues on the Alpen Bluffs Outdoor Resort along Main Street/M-32 East in Gaylord.

"We anticipate opening Phase I (of the development) early next summer and we are looking to open our welcome center, which will have the golf simulators by mid to late fall this year," said Craig Snyder, project manager for the M32 Development Group which is developing the project.

In addition to campsites for recreational vehicles (RVs) and motorhomes, the resort is also expected to include an outdoor recreational pool with hot tub, outdoor pickleball courts, a kids playground, a dog park, grilling stations and fire pits, a recreational pond with obstacle course, snack bar including full-service bar, comfort stations with laundry facilities, seasonal RV and trailer storage, and golf cart and bike rentals.

Right now crews are installing the utilities for the resort. Later in October, Alpen Bluffs will host its second annual Haunted Bluffs celebration.

"In the fall we will do a haunted house on the property. We did one last year and we will do it again this year," Snyder said.

By next fall, the property hopes to host a Halloween-themed camping area where people can decorate their RVs and do trick-or-treating in the park, Snyder added.

So far, crews are nearing the completion of the welcome center for the resort. The RV and motorhome sites will feature 50 amp electric service with direct hookup to city water and sewer service, cable access, free Wi-Fi, a patio area with a picnic table, and a fire ring. Accommodations will include back-in and pull-through sites.

Subscribe Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you

In addition to taking care of those who travel in an RV, Aspen Bluffs will also offer other year-round camping accommodations such as circular canvas-walled tents called yurts. Each yurt sleeps between two and six people and is furnished with sleeping accommodations, a small kitchen, bathroom with stand-up shower, kitchen table and chairs, television, along with heat and air conditioning.

Snyder said they hope to have the project completed by 2025.

Originally, Snyder said a gas station was planned for the property but that has been dropped.

"At first we thought a gas station would work, but our final plan is for a lot of amenities for those who use our accommodations and lots of features for families plus the welcome center with the golf simulators," said Snyder.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Steady progress for RV park under construction in Gaylord