Island Lake State Recreation Area: Hike Reports

07/20/04

I would also try to push the envelope a bit in terms of camping areas in state parks and other similar areas. For instance, you could rent the cabins at Island Lake SRA and put up a tent outside the building. Or you could carry in a canoe to the canoe campground at Island Lake, leave it there during the day, head to the other end of the park, hike to the canoe only campground, canoe during the evening then hike back out.

07/20/04

Livingston County: Island Lake Recreation Area: By combining the Yellow and Blue loop trails, you can hike for 14 miles without backtracking. The terrain is flat to gently rolling with some hills . The trail surface is natural. The highlight of this hike is the meandering, undeveloped Huron River. Be aware, however, that this is a popular mountain biking area. Contact info.: Island Lake Rec. Area, (810) 229-7067. By the end of 2001, it will be possible to extend this hike into the paved Kensington Metropark trails to the north - adding another 8+ miles. No camping.

07/16/01:

I just hiked the east loop of Island lake Rec. Area with some friends. It's 6 miles and can be 14 if you hike a second loop. I think it would make a nice urban backpack. But you'd have to reserve the frontier cabins. I was also thinking it might be possible to bushwack to the canoe campgrounds - two seven mile days.

04/01/02

Hey guys. I did a little afternoon hiking at Island Lake today and checked out the canoe camps. There are two really nice sites right on the Huron River. There is a well-maintained outhouse, several benches and an unusable water pump. It would be a great place to camp.

There is a small two-track that leads out to the main park road. If you cross the road and enter the parking lot, there is another two track that intersects with the West Loop hiking/mountain bike trail. The trail crosses underneath a railroad bridge and hikers might be tempted to just follow the Huron River into camp, but this is not advisable. The terrain is swampy and difficult. Better to take the two track. So, everything is there for a nice 20 mile overnight backpack. Great trail. Great campsites.

ONE BIG PROBLEM. I asked the park staff if I could backpack into the campground and two different rangers said no. The park rules only allow canoeists to use the campsites. So, I guess it depends whether you want to lug a canoe in for show. Or take your chances. It seems like you'd stand a fair chance of being found out. This is a reason why we need a hiker advocacy group in SE Michigan.

Other options: Chaperone a group of kids backpacking to the organization camp. Or, get one of the rustic cabins on the West side of the park.

04/03/02

Hi Joe!

Your point is a good one, although there are a number of canoe camps along the Huron River in the metroparks. There is one backpacker camp in southeast Michigan. So, if you are totalling the numbers, the need for backpack camps is greater.

And guess how many canoeists were using the camp when I was there? Zero. It seems to me that a hiking group could push to get the camp opened to backpack use during the offseason or when canoeists hadn't reserved it.

Overall, the place seems well-run. So, I'll defer to the people who manage the place. But it does seem funny that an unused existing facility would be banned when there is such a need.

04/21/02

Saturday, I hiked the West/Blue Loop at Island Lake SRA in the suburbs. There were houses and a railroad along the tracks for a bit, but this was a nice 9.2 mile hike. The first 5 miles are pretty flat, but there are a few hills in the second half. There weren't too many bikers out there this early in the spring and they didn't seem to get on the trail until after noon. So, morning hiking would probably be okay. This is well-marked trail. I like a little more uncertainty. Nothing like having to guess which way to go. But, I got my first slight sunburn. Sunblock season has arrived.

http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/ParksandTrailsInfo.aspx?id=462