Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
2 within 3 miles
Attractions
2 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
9
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
ZeelandScoutMom
Ottawa County, MI805 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We stopped at the CCC Museum in Roscommon. We learned quite a bit about the history of the young men who served in this particular Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.
Written June 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie P
91 contributions
Jun 2019
It was really cool and we so appreciated the government preserving this great seedling shop. The whole area was neat and we just loved the museum beginnings. A ways to go, but it's going to be great. Loved the dress up clothes!
Written July 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
susan s
Ann Arbor, MI40 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
we went to the CCC museum because we were staying in Grayling on business. decided to check this out. Turns out to be a "recreated" campsite with many interesting curated exhibits about the life of the young men recruited to the CCC. FDR's way of building infrastructure ( in this case reforestation) and putting people to work during the depression. It's self guided, outdoors and in buildings. Later we walked one of the trails where certain trees had explanations for their planting. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom S
Ypsilanti, MI165 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Just north of the main part of Higgins Lake North State Park, this “Museum” consists of several small buildings with interpretive signs. One building (the main one?) was closed, apparently for renovation. Expect to walk a bit on gravel paths to see it all.
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pferdina
Grand Rapids, MI166 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
This museum is placed on the site of a state of Michigan tree nursery, where men of the Civilian Conservation Corps worked to process seeds and grow seedlings of trees (mainly pines) to reforest the state after the logging companies cut everything down. There are two fire towers and an assortment of original buildings and artifacts to look at, around a small paved loop. The main museum is housed inside a replica CCC barracks building. It contains exhibits about life with the CCC in Michigan, photos of different companies, and historical pieces. It was all very interesting to us, and we had the place to ourselves for almost an hour. I wished the planting beds had actually had tree seedlings growing in them, instead of weeds, and the boulder monument seemed forlorn without its surrounding bed of flowers (just weeds).
After seeing the museum, we recommend taking the ~1.5 mile fitness trail (also called the Upland Loop Trail). It starts on the far side of the parking lot and continues through stands of red pines leftover from the nursery days. Eventually it climbs up to the low ridge north of the museum, circles back, and returns to the parking area by way of the old water cistern location. This trail is sandy and has some moderately steep places, but it is frequently traveled and well-maintained. We enjoyed the occasional informational signs and the quiet of the woods. We saw a small snake and heard many birds. The "fitness" aspect is provided by twenty evenly-spaced stations describing 32 exercises a person is supposed to do while jogging around the loop.
After seeing the museum, we recommend taking the ~1.5 mile fitness trail (also called the Upland Loop Trail). It starts on the far side of the parking lot and continues through stands of red pines leftover from the nursery days. Eventually it climbs up to the low ridge north of the museum, circles back, and returns to the parking area by way of the old water cistern location. This trail is sandy and has some moderately steep places, but it is frequently traveled and well-maintained. We enjoyed the occasional informational signs and the quiet of the woods. We saw a small snake and heard many birds. The "fitness" aspect is provided by twenty evenly-spaced stations describing 32 exercises a person is supposed to do while jogging around the loop.
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jljocque
Waterford, MI68 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
This CCC camp grew most of the seedling pines that were used to re-forest Michigan in the early 20th century. Tens of thousands of young men worked in the 80+ parks in Michigan, and many of their stories are collected here. The discipline and hard work prepared them for service in WW2. The free museum/camp took us about an hour to walk through, and there is an extensive hiking trail on the remaining acreage. The vault toilet was clean and not stinky.
Written July 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
seescokid
Grand Rapids, MI1,505 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
I have driven up route 127 several times and always wanted to stop to see this and we were on our way up to Gaylord and we heard the time after going golfing at Farwell but most of the buildings were closed so we didn’t really get to go in and it’s not really that large of an operation. The loggers museum up at hartwick State Park to look looked like it was pretty neat too but that was also closed by 430 on Thursday, October 20 2022. North Higgins Lake State Park was very nice and I could not get over her clean and clear and shallow of the water was a very light blue color and that is directly across the street pretty much from the CCC Museum
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EclecticEllie
Roscommon, MI34 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
Museum sits across the road from North Higgins Lake State Park. The museum provides a learning experience of CCC history. Improvements have been made to the museum. Young people can learn about a piece of history that helped preserve our forests and kept people employed during some hard times.
Written October 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
donwilliams484
Saline, MI1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Family
Was disappointed to find that all but the ice house building was closed in spite of being during stated "open" hours. Could see through the windows that there is a lot more to see here than the few small plaques describing the structures.
I had an uncle that was in the CCC's in the upper lower area of Michigan. I know he liked the CCC's and fell in love with northern Michigan during his time up there. He moved from Detroit to Fairview sometime in the 1940's. Not really a whole lot else as that generation in my family have passed on.
Seems a poor use of the effort to recreate/rebuild the compound.
At a minimum the museum website should specify when (if ever) it is truly open and when you only get to walk around outside.
I had an uncle that was in the CCC's in the upper lower area of Michigan. I know he liked the CCC's and fell in love with northern Michigan during his time up there. He moved from Detroit to Fairview sometime in the 1940's. Not really a whole lot else as that generation in my family have passed on.
Seems a poor use of the effort to recreate/rebuild the compound.
At a minimum the museum website should specify when (if ever) it is truly open and when you only get to walk around outside.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert T
Hillman, MI307 contributions
Sep 2017 • Business
Michigan Cares for Tourism recently did a fantastic job of assisting park staff in cleaning, painting, staining, hauling brush and many other activities. Cudos to all involved.
Written September 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi, I have pictures my father took when he was in the CCC. I would like to send them for the museum. Please send me contact information to do so. Thank you.
Civilian Conservation Corps Museum (Roscommon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
- Hotels near Civilian Conservation Corps Museum:
- (0.97 mi) Water front property on Higgins Lake !!!
- (1.00 mi) Cozy Higgins Lake Cottage - GREAT LOCATION!
- (1.25 mi) THE MAIN CABIN AT HIGGINS LAKE - TRUE NORTH CABIN RENTALS
- (1.26 mi) CABIN #2 WITH LAKE VIEW AT HIGGINS LAKE - TRUE NORTH CABIN RENTALS.
- (1.27 mi) CABIN #1 WITH LAKE VIEW AT HIGGINS LAKE - TRUE NORTH CABIN RENTALS
- Restaurants near Civilian Conservation Corps Museum:
- (1.48 mi) The All New Silver Dollar Pub & Grill
- (1.47 mi) Dairy Queen
- (8.07 mi) Fred's of Roscommon
- (9.59 mi) Dead Bear
- (8.22 mi) Matt's Lake Street Grill