Let’s go Camping: Brighton State Recreation Area – Howell, MI

Let’s go Camping: Brighton State Recreation Area – Howell, MI
Date: Thursday, Nov. 2nd – Sunday, Nov 5th.
Distance: 4 hours from Chicago.

We are staying at Bishop Lake Campground, Lower Unit, at Brighton State Recreation Area. I am staying at Site #64. The sites have electricity. The Shower/Flush Toilets are open year round.

Camping is $27 per site per night. You may have 1 camper and 1 tent or 2 tents on site with up to 6 people. Also a Michigan Recreation Passport is required: Annual nonresident: $39, Daily nonresident: $11.

To reserve a site go to: https://midnrreservations.com/
(Brighton, Bishop Lake Lower Unit)

Brighton Recreation Area
https://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=438

Brighton Recreation Area provides 4,900 acres of recreation for park visitors to use. The area has a combination of high, irregular ranges of hills, interspersed with a number of attractive lakes. Brighton Recreation Area has several miles of trails available for equestrian, mountain biking and hiking. Oak forest, thick hedgerows and open spaces blend on the uplands while grassy marshes, shrub marshes and dense swamp timber mark the lowlands.

Location: Take I-96 to exit 140 at Latson road. Take Latson road south to Chilson Road. Continue south on Chilson road to Bishop Lake road.

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I am planning on visiting 2 other parks while I am here.

Island Lake State Recreation Area: (7.5 miles, 13 minutes from campgrounds)
https://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=462&type=SPRK

Island Lake Recreation Area offers 4,000 acres of state land in southeast Michigan. The park is a popular destination for mountain biking, paddling, hiking, swimming, picnicking, and fishing. The park has an undeveloped and natural feel, featuring four inland lakes, the Huron River and a mixture of open brush, mature hardwood forest and pockets of open meadows.

The Hickory Ridge Trail is a 5-mile loop that offers views of the Huron River and Trout Lake and meanders through meadows and hardwood forests. The trailhead is located at the Kent Lake picnic area.

The Yellow Trail is a 5.8-mile looped route that offers views of the Huron River and connects to the Blue Trail. The route includes sandy sections, tight turns and numerous elevation changes. Hiking and mountain biking are both permitted, so please be aware of two-way traffic. Mountain bikers are required to travel clockwise on the loop. The trailhead is located 1.5 miles west of the park’s entrance booth.

Kensington Metropark: `(22.2 miles, 24 minutes from campgrounds) ($10 daily admission per car.)
https://www.metroparks.com/kensington-metropark/

Nature Center
Get in touch with the world around you at the Nature Center. Find educational exhibits and live animal displays to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the ecosystems, wildlife, and history of the park. Explore 7 miles of nature trails around the Nature Center, a must visit for birders!

An 8.5-mile paved hike-bike trail traverses the picturesque landscapes circling Kent Lake.

Farm Center
Meet farm animals and get a glimpse of rural life at the Kensington Metropark Farm Center. Take in the sights, smells and sounds of life on the farm as you interact with live farm animals like chickens, goats, sheep, cattle and draft horses.

This is will be a fun trip. I hope you can make it.

Kevin