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Team building takes on a new meaning in Gaylord, where you’ll find the great outdoors mere footsteps from meeting and lodging facilities. Summer is a short season, so to maximize your time in our Northwoods paradise, head for our lakes and rivers on your next group event.

Whether searching for a casual post-meeting wind down or a team building exercise with purpose, Gaylord’s lakes and waterways offer innovative options that will leave your guests grinning from ear to ear.

Group Rafting Trips

A quick jaunt north leads you to Sturgeon River Paddlesports, situated right along the Sturgeon River. Grab a comfortable raft and take your crew for a paddling adventure on one of the lower peninsula’s swiftest currents. While it’s far from white water, the Sturgeon’s quick pace and sinuous design require a bit of finesse to navigate. Rafting trips are an exciting way to work together, communicate with your team and encourage one another.

Kayaking & Paddleboarding

Looking for a more leisurely pace? Kayaking and paddleboarding on one of our county’s 90 inland lakes is an enjoyable way to relieve stress and reconnect with nature. Choose from a variety of small forest lakes where you may see eagles, beavers, deer, loons and other wildlife. Or glide along the smooth surface of Otsego Lake, the largest and most well-known body of water in our county.

Beach Day

If you opt for Otsego Lake, keep in mind that cookouts and picnics are an easy way to enhance any meeting or event. Both the Otsego Lake County Park and Otsego Lake State Park have lakeside pavilions for group use. Bringing your team to these parks comes complete with grills, volleyball and sandy beaches for lounging.

Rent a Pontoon

Relaxing lakeside is wonderful, but if you prefer getting out on the water, pontoon rentals are plentiful throughout the Gaylord area. Take your group on a leisurely sunset cruise to reflect on the day and unwind.

Go Fishing

While fishing may not be a fit for all group events, it offers another option for experiencing our area to its fullest. Whether you book a guided fishing trip with White Pine Guide Service or The River Hutt, cast a line from the universally accessible floating pier at the State Park or bring your gear and set out on your own adventure, fishing is another way to clear your mind after a busy day of collaboration and learning.

Incorporating Gaylord’s lakes and rivers into your next itinerary adds a playful touch to summer gatherings and leaves attendees feeling renewed. We’ll see you on the water soon!