Island Lake State Recreation Area, a recreation area in southeast Michigan, encompasses 4,000 acres characterized by an undeveloped and natural ambiance. The area features four inland lakes and the winding Huron River, which is a Designated State Natural River. Its diverse terrain includes open brushland, mature hardwood forests, and open meadows, providing varied scenery for several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, jogging, and more.
Island Lake State Recreation Area offers more than 30 routes across several sports, including road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, jogging, and mountain biking. More than 6,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for the routes in Island Lake State Recreation Area. For cyclists, the park features a 4-mile (6.5 km) paved trail that connects to the Kensington Metropark Bike Trail and the Huron Valley Trail, alongside a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) linear paved path, providing extensive options for Road Cycling Routes in Island Lake State Recreation Area. Hikers and joggers can explore over 23 miles (37 km) of trails, including dedicated hiking paths like the 5-mile (8 km) Hickory Ridge Trail and multi-use trails that traverse dense forest and open meadows. Find more details on Hiking in Island Lake State Recreation Area or explore Running Trails in Island Lake State Recreation Area.
65
Routes
4.4
(46)
Average rating
1396
People visited

5.0
(4)
33
hikers
16.7km
04:19
90m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
13
hikers
4.87km
01:17
40m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
8
hikers
22.9km
07:11
120m
110m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(2)
31
hikers
3.75km
00:57
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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109
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
70
riders
36.8km
02:09
180m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
54
riders
20.9km
01:15
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

49
riders
26.9km
01:39
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
92
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
174
riders
46.7km
02:05
250m
250m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.3
(4)
77
riders
28.2km
01:12
150m
150m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

36
riders
36.2km
01:24
90m
90m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(3)
26
riders
10.3km
01:44
60m
60m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
riders
24.1km
02:26
120m
120m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

20
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
22
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
runners
29.1km
03:32
130m
130m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

19
runners
10.7km
01:10
40m
40m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

17
runners
9.36km
01:21
50m
50m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Island Lake State Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities including road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and gravel biking. The recreation area features over 30 routes across these sports. It encompasses 4,000 acres with diverse landscapes.
Yes, the park features a 4-mile (6.5 km) paved trail that connects to the Kensington Metropark Bike Trail and the Huron Valley Trail. Additionally, a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) linear paved path exists between the Hickory and Riverbend shelters. More information can be found in the Road Cycling Routes in Island Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Island Lake State Recreation Area offers over 23 miles (37 km) of hiking and biking trails. Dedicated hiking trails include the 5-mile (8 km) Hickory Ridge Trail. Multi-use trails are also open to hikers, providing varied experiences through dense forests and open meadows. Explore options in the Hiking in Island Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Yes, the park includes mountain biking trails such as the 9.1-mile (14.6 km) Blue Trail and the 5.6-mile (9 km) Yellow Trail. These trails traverse varied terrain including dense forest and open meadows. Further details are available in the MTB Trails in Island Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Leashed dogs are permitted on dedicated hiking trails, such as the 5-mile (8 km) Hickory Ridge Trail. Specific regulations for other trails may vary. Consult the Dog-friendly hikes in Island Lake State Recreation Area guide for more information.
The park offers accessible trails and features like track chairs for visitors with mobility challenges. The relatively modest hills on trails like the Yellow Trail make them accessible for a range of fitness levels. Family-friendly options are highlighted in the Family-friendly hikes in Island Lake State Recreation Area guide.
The recreation area features four inland lakes and the winding Huron River, which is a Designated State Natural River. The terrain includes open brushland, mature hardwood forests, and open meadows. Efforts are underway to restore oak barren natural communities.
Island Lake State Recreation Area is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 6,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the area have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. There are 38 routes available across various sports.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Road Cycling Routes, Hiking, MTB Trails, and Running Trails. Guides for traffic-free rides, family-friendly hikes, easy hikes, and dog-friendly hikes are also available.
The official website for Island Lake State Recreation Area is www.michigan.gov/islandlake. The phone number for the recreation area is (810) 229-7067.
Yes, Island Lake State Recreation Area provides over 23 miles (37 km) of trails suitable for jogging. These multi-use trails traverse varied landscapes, including dense forests and open meadows. The Running Trails in Island Lake State Recreation Area guide offers specific route suggestions.
The park's terrain for cycling includes paved paths and multi-use trails that traverse open brushland, mature hardwood forests, and open meadows. Some trails feature relatively modest hills, making them accessible for various fitness levels. The Huron River also adds to the scenic routes.

