CLAM LAKE TOWNSHIP — A pair of downstate developers is hoping to build a luxury glamping resort in Wexford County’s Clam Lake Township.
Downstate developer Shelby Hastings is one of the people behind a proposed 70-acre glampground in Wexford County’s Clam Lake Township.
“You get all the modern amenities that come with a luxury stay, so think like a five-star hotel, but in an outdoor glamping setting,” said Hastings.
It would sit on land adjacent to Cadillac Tire and the Evergreen Golf Course.
“We are going to do things like Geodomes and modern cabins that give that really high-end luxury outdoor experience. It kind of meets like resorts versus, you know, campgrounds. It’s that connection back to nature, but an elevated experience,” said Hastings.
Hastings said they hope to start off with about 20 glamping units and a welcome center, with the ability to expand in the future.
She said they chose Cadillac because of the proximity to lakes, restaurants, and golf courses.
“It’s beautiful. It’s absolutely beautiful. It is the quintessential escape in Northern Michigan, but it’s close to all of the wonderful businesses and amenities that Cadillac already has to offer. So, for us, it was a great two for one opportunity,” said Hastings.
She said they’re now fine-tuning their plans before breaking ground
“I like that Cadillac, and Clam Lake Township in particular, want to keep that rural character of the area. And I think that we can really contribute to that. So, traffic we can handle because we’re on the main highway. So, for us that was a very different situation. And then in terms of noise, we are setting ourselves up to be the premier luxury outdoor hospitality resort in the Midwest. That is what we are proposing to create here, which naturally is going to limit noise because it’s not the environment that we want to create,” said Hastings.
The Clam Lake Township Downtown Development Director, Cindy Warda, did not want to go on camera, but said the township planning commission recommended approval of the zoning for this project in July and the township board approved it in August.
They’re now waiting on site plans from the developers.
“We plan on hopefully being back there, the end of winter, beginning of spring with more site plans, and then we’ll start construction. And our goal is to be open Memorial weekend of 2027,” said Hastings.