Grayling /ˈɡreɪlɪŋ/ is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,884 at the 2010 census.Grayling is situated within Grayling Township, though it is politically independent. It is located in the middle of Northern Michigan. The highways ( I-75, US 127, M-72, and M-93) make it the natural 'gateway' to much of "up north," as it is known to locals and many visitors.