An "up north" weekend without leaving the county: Livingston's big parks and trails

You do not have to drive north for a weekend of lakes, woods, and long trails. Three large state recreation areas sit in or along Livingston County. Island Lake covers about 4,000 acres around four lakes and the Huron River, with swim areas, trails, and a shooting range. A DNR management plan also identifies Island Lake as the only balloon port in the state park system. That is a park feature, though, not a promise that balloons will be flying when you visit.

Brighton Recreation Area has 4,947 acres, nine lakes, five campgrounds, and a 35-mile trail system. Pinckney Recreation Area reaches about 11,000 acres and has more than 40 miles of trails, including the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail. Check each park’s map before choosing a route because hiking, biking, and horseback-riding access is not the same on every trail.

The Mike Levine Lakelands Trail adds a different kind of outing. This 34-mile rail-trail runs from Hall Road in Livingston County to Parnall Road in Jackson County. The section from Hall Road to M-36 is paved; farther west, the surface is compacted limestone. Its equestrian route connects directly with riding trails in Pinckney Recreation Area.

The local visitor bureau counts 50,000 acres of parks and 123 miles of trails across the broader Brighton-Howell area. That regional total includes more than these three state recreation areas, but it gives you the right idea: there is enough nearby to build several different weekends. Check DNR alerts and trail maps before leaving. A Recreation Passport covers vehicle entry at the state recreation areas.