It serves the communities of Gaylord, Vanderbilt, Indian River, and Cheboygan which connects to the North Eastern State Trail.

This Detroit-based railway, one of the largest and most profitable in the Lower Peninsula, constructed a land-grant section of trackage northward from its primary service area to Mackinaw City in 1882.

The North Central State Trail's northern end in Mackinaw City is close to the docks once operated by the Mackinac Transportation Company.

Extension of the trail was accomplished through a $200,000 grant to Otsego County from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

[4] The North Central State Trail borders a substantial section of the shoreline of Michigan's Mullett Lake.