Population30,856 (2020 Census)
Woodland Trails and Welcoming Stops Up North
Clare County, MichiganClare County brings together outdoor recreation, small town shopping and places to pause along the way. Harrison offers Budd Lake and nearby seasonal recreation, while Clare and Farwell provide dining, library services and community gathering places. Walk a local trail, plan a family movie outing, or explore the county’s historical complex during its visiting season. This guide connects those possibilities with schools, public offices, transportation and care resources to help residents and visitors make practical plans.
Clare County at a Glance
Population30,856 (2020 Census)
County SeatHarrison
Largest MunicipalityHayes Township (4,642; 2020 population within county)
Established1871 (organized)
ZIP Codes8 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area575.4 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS-10, US-127, M-61 and M-115
Area Codes989
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Clare County
Clare County
Organized in 1871, Clare County retains reminders of the industries and communities that developed in its wooded landscape. Wilson State Park occupies the former site of the Wilson Brothers Sawmill and Company Store, linking present-day recreation with Harrison’s lumbering past. The county historical complex preserves a schoolhouse, cabins, a blacksmith shop and museum collections. In Clare, the bakery now known as Cops & Doughnuts traces its operation to 1896. Together, these places offer different ways to connect an ordinary outing with local history.
Harrison serves as the county seat, while Clare, Farwell and rural communities support their own schools, libraries and businesses. Residents can use county transit for shared rides and should confirm service coverage before arranging travel. Outdoor options change with the season, from walking and biking to skiing and tubing. Public services and utility responsibility depend on an address, so this guide directs readers to the appropriate provider rather than assuming one office serves every household.
What Shapes Us
Time Outside
Wooded trails at Mid Michigan College and recreation around Harrison offer ways to spend time outdoors, with maps and seasonal information available from each operator.
Local Stories
The county historical complex and Wilson State Park connect today’s visits with earlier communities, giving families places to discover local history alongside outdoor recreation.
Town Center Stops
Clare and Farwell offer shopping and dining between outings, while Harrison anchors county services and provides a starting point for exploring nearby lakes and trails.
Find a woodland path and a welcoming place nearby.
Around Clare County
Around Clare County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Lead Story
Summer Nights Bring Greenfield Together
Music, food, and neighbors fill the courthouse square as the county summer season gets underway.
Read the Story June 12, 2026 • 5 min read
Around Clare County
Stories from every corner of Clare County.
Summer Nights Bring Greenfield Together
Music, food, and neighbors fill the courthouse square as the county summer season gets underway.
June 12, 2026 • 5 min read
A New Season at the Lake
Boating, trails, and sunny days return to the water.
June 10, 2026 • 4 min read
Festival Weekend Returns
A favorite local celebration returns this weekend.
June 9, 2026 • 3 min read
Main Street After Dark
Shops, dining, and music bring downtown to life.
June 8, 2026 • 4 min read
Five Hidden Stops Worth The Drive
Scenic places and local favorites worth discovering.
June 7, 2026 • 5 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the right local resource
Use these resources to connect with public offices, essential services and community organizations in Clare County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — County meetings and public business.
County Clerk — Records and election information.
Treasurer — County taxes and payment resources.
Equalization — Property assessment resources.
Register of Deeds — Recorded property documents.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment by street address; college admissions follow separate requirements.
Clare-Gladwin RESD — Regional education services and support.
Clare Public Schools — District schools and family resources.
Harrison Community Schools — District information and family resources.
Farwell Area Schools — District schools and contacts.
Mid Michigan College — Harrison campus and regional college programs.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional locations are explicitly identified.
MyMichigan Medical Center Clare — Local hospital at 703 N McEwan Street in Clare.
McLaren Central Michigan — Regional hospital in Mount Pleasant, outside Clare County.
Cadillac Hospital — Regional hospital in Cadillac, outside Clare County.
Public Safety
Clare County Sheriff — County law enforcement services.
Clare County Central Dispatch — Emergency communications information; call 911 for emergencies.
Clare County Emergency Services — County preparedness and emergency coordination.
Michigan State Police — State law enforcement resources.
DNR Law Enforcement — Conservation enforcement and outdoor rules.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for immediate police, fire or ambulance response.
Clare County Emergency Services — County preparedness and emergency coordination.
Clare County Central Dispatch — Emergency communications information; call 911 for emergencies.
Central Michigan District Health Department — Local public health contacts and services.
Community Mental Health for Central Michigan — Behavioral health and crisis-service information.
National Weather Service Grand Rapids — Official forecasts and weather warnings.
State Parks
Wilson State Park — Budd Lake recreation in Harrison; review vehicle entry, camping and seasonal information.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Mid Michigan College Harrison Trails — Public woodland walking and mountain biking trails; check maps and current campus notices.
McIreland Nature Trail — City trail map for planning a walk in Clare.
Clare Rail-Trail Connections — City brochure showing local rail-trail connections and access.
Green Pine Lake Pathway access — DNR information for trail access from Mud Lake State Forest Campground; review entry and campground rules.
City of Clare Parks and Recreation — Public parks, maps and activity information; facility rentals and programs have separate terms.
Utilities
Confirm service responsibility for your specific address.
Consumers Energy — Customer accounts and services within its territory.
City of Clare utility billing — Municipal account and billing information.
City water, sewer and waste services — City service information and contacts.
MPSC electric service area map — Identify the electric provider for your address.
Central Michigan District Health Department — Environmental health contacts for well and septic questions.
Libraries
Pere Marquette District Library — Clare; library collections, programs and research.
Harrison District Library — Harrison; borrowing eligibility, services and library information.
Surrey Township Public Library — Farwell; collections, community events and library services.
Courts
Clare County Courts — Circuit, district and probate court contacts and procedures.
55th Circuit Friend of the Court — Support and parenting-time administration.
Recovery and Veterans Treatment Court — Specialty court program information.
Clare County Clerk — Court record and filing contacts.
Michigan Legal Help — Statewide self-help information and legal aid resources; not a court office.
Driver and Vehicle Services
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Secretary of State — license and ID renewal — Review renewal options and documents.
Michigan Secretary of State — vehicle tabs — Renew vehicle registration.
Michigan Secretary of State — titles and registration — Prepare for a vehicle transfer.
Michigan Secretary of State — address changes — Update your address with the department.
Michigan Secretary of State — disability parking — Find placard application and renewal information.
Michigan self-service stations — Find a nearby kiosk and check supported transactions.
Transportation
Clare County Transit — Local shared ride service and booking information.
Clare County Road Commission — County road maintenance and project contacts.
Clare County Airport — Local airport information; not a scheduled airline service.
MDOT Mi Drive — State road construction and travel conditions.
Michigan public transit providers — Official regional transit agency contacts.
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for local mailing and delivery needs.
USPS Post Office locator — Search your town or ZIP for nearby offices and services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Confirm the mailing ZIP for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold.
USPS Change of Address — Use the official postal address-change service.
USPS PO Boxes — Find and manage a post office box.
USPS package pickup — Check and schedule an eligible pickup.
Veterans Resources
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Connect with state benefits assistance and local support.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund — Review emergency-assistance options and eligibility.
VA health care enrollment — Find enrollment guidance.
Veterans education benefits — Explore federal and state education programs.
Veteran Readiness and Employment — Learn about employment and rehabilitation support.
Veterans burial benefits — Find benefit and memorial planning resources.
Employment and Training
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Works! — Find the workforce agency serving your area.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services — Employment support for eligible people with disabilities.
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency — Claims, account help and program information.
Michigan Reconnect — Check eligibility for community college tuition support.
Veterans Employment Services — Career assistance for eligible veterans.
Workforce education and training — Explore state training programs and pathways.
Make yourself at home
Practical answers for residents and visitors
County Questions
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about exploring and living in Clare County.
Clare County Historical Complex includes a museum, schoolhouse, cabins and a blacksmith shop. Visits follow a seasonal schedule, so confirm opening arrangements before traveling.
Snow Snake Ski & Golf offers golf during the warmer season and skiing, snowboarding and tubing in winter. Check current conditions, admission and activity restrictions for your planned date.
Mid Michigan College Harrison Trails describes public walking and mountain biking trails on its Harrison campus. Use the appropriate map, follow posted rules and review any campus access notices.
Wilson State Park is at the north end of Budd Lake in Harrison. Check current vehicle-entry requirements, campground information and seasonal access with the DNR.
Ideal Theatre publishes current films and showtimes. Check the film’s age rating and ticket arrangements before making a family outing.
Cops & Doughnuts — Clare City Bakery identifies the Clare City Bakery as its headquarters. The business also has other locations, so select Clare when checking directions and hours.
Jay’s Sporting Goods — Clare offers outdoor apparel and equipment at its Clare store. Shay Lynn Boutique provides a separate downtown women’s clothing option.
Pere Marquette District Library in Clare, Harrison District Library in Harrison and Surrey Township Public Library in Farwell provide local library services. Check borrowing eligibility with the appropriate library.
Clare County Transit provides service and dispatch information. Confirm your pickup, destination, fare and reservation timing directly with the operator.
Clare Summer Concert Series offers free music in City Park during its summer season. Check the current calendar; this is a seasonal outing rather than a daily attraction.
MyMichigan Medical Center Clare is at 703 N McEwan Street in Clare. The hospital panel also identifies regional options outside the county. Call 911 for an emergency.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make a day of itExplore places to eat, shop and spend time together.
Kids’ Fun
- Snow Snake Ski & Golf — Seasonal skiing, snowboarding, tubing and golf near Harrison; check opening conditions and activity requirements.
- Ideal Theatre — Movies in downtown Clare; choose age-appropriate showings and check current ticket information.
- City of Clare Parks and Recreation — Public parks, maps and activity information; facility rentals and programs have separate terms.
Restaurants
- Cops & Doughnuts — Clare City Bakery — Bakery stop in downtown Clare; select the Clare headquarters location.
- Doherty Hotel Dining Room — Dining in downtown Clare; check current menus and hours.
- Buccilli’s Pizza — Clare — Clare location menu and ordering information.
Shopping & Retail
- Jay’s Sporting Goods — Clare — Outdoor equipment and apparel at the Clare store; check the Clare location details.
- The Collaborative at Cardinal & Clover — Downtown Clare collection of local storefronts, including resale boutiques; follow each shop’s checkout instructions.
- Shay Lynn Boutique — Women’s clothing and boutique shopping in downtown Clare.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Shay Lynn Boutique — Women’s clothing and boutique shopping in downtown Clare.
- Jay’s Sporting Goods — Clare — Outdoor equipment and apparel at the Clare store; check the Clare location details.
- The Collaborative at Cardinal & Clover — Downtown Clare collection of local storefronts, including resale boutiques; follow each shop’s checkout instructions.
Outdoor Fun
- Wilson State Park — Budd Lake recreation in Harrison; review vehicle entry, camping and seasonal information.
- Mid Michigan College Harrison Trails — Public woodland walking and mountain biking trails; check maps and current campus notices.
- McIreland Nature Trail — City trail map for planning a walk in Clare.
Free Things To Do
- Mid Michigan College Harrison Trails — Ordinary public trail walking; organized events may have separate entry arrangements.
- McIreland Nature Trail — A self-guided walk using the city’s public nature trail map.
- Clare Summer Concert Series — Free seasonal music in City Park; confirm the current summer calendar before planning a visit.
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