Holly is a village in the northern portion of Oakland County. It has a population of 6,086. It is named after the many holly trees in the area.
Holly has several outdoor areas for visitors to explore. In Water Works Park, you’ll find the starting point of the 85-mile Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail. Holly is located three miles north of Groveland Township, which is the home of Southeastern Michigan’s largest ski resort. They have 19 trails in varying degrees of difficulty and a high-speed quad chairlift. Holly Recreation Area encompasses 7,817 acres of open fields and rolling woodland, as well as 35 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Swimming, fishing, boating, and hunting are all popular activities here.
A man named C. Alger from New York was the first permanent settler in Holly. He came in 1836, and his wife arrived a year later. Holly’s saw and grist mill eventually attracted the railroad to the area. The first train rolled through the village in 1855. Holly went on to become Michigan’s first rail junction, and the area was officially incorporated into a village in 1865. This event started Holly’s economic growth, which attracted new people. The village wasn't always a quiet place. In the 1870s, part of Martha Street became known as Battle Alley due to the many bar fights that ended up being fought out in the street. This led to Carry Nation, a hatchet-wielding grandma and prohibitionist, coming to Holly from Kansas in 1907. She ended up staying for six years as she campaigned against the evils of drinking alcohol.
Today, you can see remnants of Holly’s history, such as the abandoned Holly Union Depot from 1886, which is now being restored by a nonprofit group. You may recognize parts of the village from the movies. Holly was featured in the film “In the Line of Fire” as a campaign stop for Clint Eastwood’s political character. You can also see Holly in the 2009 film, “All’s Faire in Love.” This was shot during the annual Michigan Renaissance Festival.
Annual Holly Dickens Festival - This Fall event in Holly is held for three weekends, starting each Thanksgiving weekend. The festival recreates the days of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol.”
Michigan Renaissance Festival - This interactive event in Holly is held each August through October. The festival recreates the look and feel of an English town during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.
Michigan State Fair - This September event is held near Holly in Novi, Michigan. Visitors enjoy rides, live music, agricultural events, and The Shrine Circus with the world’s largest circus tent.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is 217 miles from Holly. It stretches from Cleveland to Akron along Ohio’s Cuyahoga River. The park features 100 waterfalls, 125 miles of hiking trails, a scenic railroad, and a living history museum. You can enjoy the lush forests, narrow ravines, rolling hills, and wetlands found in the area while visiting.
Indiana Dunes National Park is located 239 miles from Holly along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. Here, you’ll find 15 miles of lakefront and 20 square miles of countryside to explore. Popular activities include hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, and water sports.
Isle Royale National Park is on an island in Lake Superior, 441 miles from Holly. There are no cars on the island, which makes your visit peaceful. Wildlife includes gray wolves, moose, beavers, red fox, and mink. Bring a camera to capture images of the many lighthouses in the park.
Holly Recreational Area encompasses 8,008 acres and is located 5.8 miles from Holly. The lake is the main attraction, but the park also includes Whoa Zone Waterpark and several wooded trails.
Highland Recreation Area is found in the rolling hills of southern Michigan, just 12 miles from Holly. It includes four lakes within 5,900 acres of parkland. Skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding are popular winter activities.
Proud Lake Recreation Area is 18 miles from Holly. The 4,700 acres offer hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing to visitors. There’s a 130-site campground in the park.
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial in Put-in-Bay, Ohio is in honor of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. It’s the world’s tallest Doric column, and it's the final resting place of six soldiers killed during this decisive battle.
The James A. Garfield National Historic Site, in Mentor, Ohio honors our 20th president. The site includes the restored Garfield home, the first presidential library, and the surrounding property.
The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park allows you to learn about how Wilbur and Orville Wright made a living from their bicycle shop. You can see where they flew the first practical airplane, and you’ll also learn about Dayton’s African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Among the campgrounds near Holly, you’ll find Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort in Davison. This RV park has 700 sites with full hookups. Enjoy the nature trails, putt-putt golf, and canoeing while visiting. Daily rates start at $10.
Wolverine Campground in nearby Columbiaville, Michigan is located on Holloway Reservoir. Enjoy fishing, hiking, and swimming while staying here. They have a fully stocked camp store, and rates are $30 to $40 per night.
Genesee-Otter Lake Campground has 129 sites with full hookups. Swimming and fishing are popular activities on the 32-acre lake. Daily rates start at $30, and weekly rates are $180.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Holly, MI, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Holly?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Holly from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Holly?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.