Developers are planning a luxury glamping resort in Wexford County’s Clam Lake Township. Shelby Hastings, a downstate developer, is among those proposing the 70-acre project, which would be located near Cadillac Tire and the Evergreen Golf Course.
Hastings said the resort will provide “all the modern amenities that come with a luxury stay, so think like a five-star hotel, but in an outdoor glamping setting.” The plan includes geodomes and modern cabins designed to offer a high-end outdoor experience that blends resort-style accommodations with a connection to nature.
The initial phase of the development would include about 20 glamping units and a welcome center, with the potential for future expansion. Hastings explained that the location was chosen for its 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,” she told 9&10 News.
Hastings emphasized that the project aims to maintain the rural character of the area.
“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,” she said.
Cindy Warda, the township’s Downtown Development Director, said the Clam Lake Township planning commission recommended approval of the zoning in July, and the township board approved it in August. Officials are now awaiting site plans from the developers.
Hastings said the team hopes to return with more detailed site plans by late winter or early spring, with construction expected to begin shortly thereafter. The projected opening date is Memorial Day weekend 2027.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors, the project highlights ongoing trends in luxury outdoor accommodations and the importance of location and local community alignment when planning new developments.