Island Lake State Recreation Area

Island Lake State Recreation Area of Livingston County, Michigan

Trail Distance:

19 miles long.

Directions:

I-96 at exit 151 (Kensington Rd.) head S. on Kensington Rd. 1/2 mile to Park Entrance.

Trail List:

• Island Lake-West/Blue Loop - 9 (Miles), Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Cross Country Ski
• Island Lake-East/Yellow Loop - 5 (Miles), Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Cross Country Ski
• Island Lake-Paved Bicycle Trail - 4 (Miles), Biking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Ski

Trail Description:

Ski trail is not groomed.

Island Lake Recreation Area is a 4,000-acre park in Livingston County that offers an "up north" experience without leaving southeast Michigan. The terrain is a mixture of open brush land to mature hardwood forest, with some pockets of open meadows mixed in. Island Lake is the only balloon port in the state park system. Balloons usually take off in the early morning or late evening, depending on the wind and weather.

Features:

• Hunting - Island Lake is open to hunting for all species following state regulations between September 15 and March 31. This park boasts excellent deer and rabbit hunting, while great hunting opportunities exist for woodcock, pheasant, duck, goose, and squirrel as well. The park is also open to trapping.
• Designated Watchable Wildlife Site - The Wildlife Viewing Guide is now on line at www.michigan.gov/miwildlifeviewing
• Beach House - Provides clothes-changing area for swimmers.  
• Swimming - Spring Mill Pond Beach Information. Kent Lake Beach Information. Two beaches are available for day use, one at Kent Lake and one at Spring Mill Pond with more than 100 feet of sandy beach. The pond is spring feed, so the water stays cool and clear all summer.
• Fishing - Four lakes and the Huron River offer a variety of fishing opportunities. A universally accessible fishing pier is available at Island Lake. However, the park does not have a boat launch. Spring Mill Pond is stocked with trout and a special catch and release season is in effect from April 1 until opening day of trout season. Only artificial bait may be used. Ice fishing is a popular winter activity.
• Canoeing - A popular attraction at Island Lake is the canoe route down the Huron River. There are two canoe campground sites, accessible from the river only. Vault toilets are provided. Canoeists need to supply their own drinking water. Please call the park office for reservations.
• Canoe/Kayak Rental - Canoes can be rented at the Kent Lake beach near the dam. Rowboats and paddleboats are also available for use on the lake from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information, contact Heavner Canoe Rental from Memorial Day to Labor Day at 248-685-2379.
• Picnic Area - Picnic tables and fire pits/grills. The beach at Kent Lake is surrounded by acres of grassy picnic area. A modern toilet building with changing courts, vending machines, playground, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and grills are located throughout the picnic area. A ball field is close by. At the Spring Mill Pond area, a modern toilet building, vending machines, sand volleyball courts and grills are available. The Meadow Picnic Area is the site of the only Balloon Port in the state park system. Balloons usually take off in the early morning or late evening, depending on the wind and weather.
• Picnic Shelter(s) - Seven shelters are available for rent. Four are near modern toilet buildings and three have hand pumps and vault toilets. Grills, picnic tables, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits are provided at each shelter. To reserve any of the shelters, call the park office at 810-229-7067. If shelters are not reserved, they are available for use by any park visitor.
• Alcohol Restrictions Apply - A person shall not possess or consume alcohol in the day-use areas of the park from April 1 through Labor Day without the written permission of the park manager.
• Shooting/Archery Range - The Island Lake facility is one of the nation's most modern and safest shooting ranges has been expanded to include skeet, trap and sporting clays at Island Lake Recreation Area in addition to its original forty 25-yard, 50-yard, and 100- yard shooting stations. The range is fully handicap accessible.
• Biking - There are four miles of paved trail that wander through a variety of habitats. This trail also connects to Kensington Metropark and the Lyon Township Bike Trail.
• Hiking - More than 18 miles of trails travel through varied habitats. Visitors can hike, run and hunt along the trails, which are split into two connecting loops. The East Loop (Yellow Loop) circles the Huron River, is over five miles long and travels through woodlands, fields, and crosses Mann Creek. The West Loop (Blue Loop) is over nine miles long and meanders through fields, woodlands and wetlands.
• Mountain Biking - More than 14 miles of trails travel through varied habitats. Bikers should ride with caution at all times, following the one way trail markers. Visitors can hike, bike, run, hunt, snowmobile and cross-country ski along the unpaved portions of the trails. The trail is split into two connecting loops. The East Loop (Yellow Loop) circles the Huron River, is over five miles long and travels through woodlands, fields and crosses Mann Creek. The easier West Loop (Blue Loop) is over nine miles long and meanders through fields, woodlands and wetlands.
• Snowmobile Area - Allowed with 4" of snow or more on the ground. Snowmobiling is allowed only on unpaved trails.
• Cross Country Ski
• Metal Detecting Areas - Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreation activity when it is conducted in ways that do not damage the natural and cultural resources in Michigan State Parks nor violate applicable state statutes. If you wish to use a metal detector in this state park, here is a map that shows clearly where this activity may take place. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation.

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