Pinckney Recreation Area

Copyright: Patty Elton-Interactive Outdoors, Inc. Fungi have existed for millions of years but due to their delicate nature, little is known about their ancient history

Attractions - Modern camping with seasonal flush toilets, showers, sanitation station, electricity, playground, beach, fishing pier, and boat launch with access to a chain of seven lakes is available at Bruin Lake. Rustic camping with hand pump, vault toilets, trail access, fishing pier and boat launch is available at Crooked Lake. Backpack camping is available, contact the park office at Silver Lake for more information. Camping facilities are open from April 1 to December 1; modern toilets open from April 21 to November 1 only.

Twenty-six miles of hiking trails are open to mountain biking as well, with access to five hike-in campsites along the trails. The park is connected to the 46-mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, the longest hiking trail in lower Michigan. The trails all begin at the Silver Lake Day Use Area. The Silver Lake Trail is a two-mile looped trail, the Crooked Lake Trail is a five-mile looped trail and Potawatomi Trail is a seventeen-mile looped trail. The Losee Lake Trail is a three-mile loop open to foot traffic only. When hiking in winter and spring, call the park office for trail condition information before heading out.

Snowmobiling in designated areas is allowed with four inches or more of snow on the ground. Cross-country skiing is available on the mountain biking and hiking trails.

There is a concession stand, boat rental, trail system, seasonal modern toilet facilities, playground, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and a fishing pier available at the Silver Lake beach and picnic area. A boat launch, picnic shelters, trail access, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and playground are available at Halfmoon Lake beach and picnic area.

Boaters and anglers will find great opportunities on the many lakes throughout the recreation area. There are improved boat launches on Bruin, Halfmoon, South, North, Joslin and Portage Lakes. Unimproved ramps are located on Pickerel, Crooked, Gosling, and Hiland Lakes. There is hand-carry access onto Sullivan Lake. Chain of seven lakes are accessed from Bruin and Halfmoon. Good ice fishing can be found on Silver, North and South Lakes.

Pinckney Recreation Area is open to hunting for all species including large and small game, and waterfowl. State regulations apply.

Nearby is Lakelands Trail State Park, a linear rails-to-trails park under the management of the Pinckney Recreation Area. Currently, thirteen miles from Pinckney to Stockbridge have been developed.

Recreation - Outdoor activities involve camping, backpacking, swimming, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Camping
Pinckney- Bruin Lake Modern - (800) 447-2757, 186 site(s), $22/$16
Pinckney- Crooked Lake Rustic - (800) 447-2757, 25 site(s), $10
Pinckney-Blind Lake Rustic - (800) 447-2757, 5 site(s), $10

Trail
Pinckney-Silver Lake Trail - 2 (Miles), Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Ski
Pinckney-Crooked Lake Trail - 5 (Miles), Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Ski
Pinckney-Potawatomi Trail - 17 (Miles), Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Ski, Walk-in Sites
Pinckney-Waterloo Trail - 35 (Miles), Hiking, Cross Country Ski
Pinckney-Equestrian Trails - 8 (Miles), Equestrian
Pinckney-Losee Lake Trail - 3.3 (Miles), Hiking

Climate - Southeast Michigan is the warmest region in the state with summer temperatures averaging 70 degrees F (above 21 degrees C) but it is not infrequent for days to reach the high 80s. Winter temperatures are warmer as well with averages hovering just below freezing. Yearly moisture amounts range between 18 - 32 inches.

Location - The park is located southeast of Pinckney, Michigan. To reach the park from US-23, take exit 49 and go west on North Territorial Road 10 miles. To reach the park from Interstates 94 / 96, take M-52 and go east on North Territorial Road.