Things to Do in Highland State Recreation Area
Highland State Recreation Area is a recreation area in southern Michigan, encompassing 5,900 acres of diverse landscape characterized by rolling hills, more than 10 inland lakes, and varied forest types. This expansive park features significant natural features, including the Haven Hill Natural Area, which preserves all of southern Michigan's principal forest ecosystems. The terrain, with its varied elevations and natural beauty, provides an ideal setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
Things to…
45
Routes
4.6
(20)
Average rating
683
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.
4.5
(2)
12
hikers
13.5km
03:29
80m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
14
hikers
7.28km
01:55
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
hikers
2.58km
00:40
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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179
riders
54.3km
02:28
300m
300m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.5
(6)
76
riders
32.6km
01:29
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
14
riders
45.7km
01:56
160m
160m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
6
riders
48.4km
02:07
290m
290m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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69
riders
22.7km
01:58
200m
200m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
52
riders
16.6km
01:10
70m
70m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
19
riders
16.0km
01:24
120m
120m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
12
riders
32.0km
01:43
170m
170m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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16
runners
8.38km
00:53
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
runners
5.66km
00:36
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
7
runners
19.7km
02:25
170m
170m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
4
runners
5.87km
00:41
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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11
riders
28.6km
02:10
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
11
riders
6.40km
00:28
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
9
riders
33.3km
02:40
150m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
riders
29.9km
01:54
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
7
riders
43.4km
03:03
310m
310m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
6
riders
33.1km
02:11
210m
210m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
44.1km
02:52
220m
220m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Highland State Recreation Area?
Highland State Recreation Area is a 5,900-acre park in southern Michigan. It features rolling hills, more than 10 inland lakes, and diverse forest types, including the Haven Hill Natural Area. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities across its extensive trail system.
What outdoor activities are available in Highland State Recreation Area?
The recreation area offers routes for hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. There are 27 routes available, with an average komoot rating of 4.74 stars from over 4,000 visitors.
Are there hiking trails for all skill levels in Highland State Recreation Area?
Yes, the park's extensive trail system caters to various skill levels, from easy walks to more challenging routes through varied terrain. Visitors can explore options for easy hikes or more general hiking routes.
What are the mountain biking opportunities in Highland State Recreation Area?
Highland State Recreation Area features approximately 16 miles (26 km) of dedicated mountain biking trails. These include four distinct loops with varying difficulty, offering hilly terrain, technical sections, and challenging climbs and descents. More details can be found in the MTB Trails guide.
Can I go road cycling or touring cycling in Highland State Recreation Area?
Yes, the park and surrounding areas offer opportunities for road and touring cycling on paved surfaces. Scenic routes are available for cyclists preferring paved roads. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes and Cycling guides.
Are there family-friendly activities in Highland State Recreation Area?
The park offers several family-friendly options, including easy hiking trails, picnic areas, and a designated swim beach. Specific routes suitable for families are highlighted in the Family-friendly hikes guide.
Is Highland State Recreation Area dog-friendly?
Yes, dogs are permitted on many trails within Highland State Recreation Area. Visitors should ensure dogs are leashed and follow park regulations. A dedicated Dog-friendly hikes guide is available.
What are the notable natural features in Highland State Recreation Area?
Key natural features include more than 10 inland lakes, rolling hills, and the Haven Hill Natural Area. Mount Kanzer, a small moraine, reaches an elevation of 1,150 feet (350 meters) and offers striking vistas.
What is the Haven Hill Natural Area?
The Haven Hill Natural Area is a designated National Natural Landmark within the park. It preserves all of southern Michigan's principal forest types, including swamp forests, beech-maple forests, and oak-hickory stands. This area is ideal for nature observation, especially for viewing warblers and spring wildflowers.
How many miles of trails are in Highland State Recreation Area?
Highland State Recreation Area features an extensive trail system totaling 44 to 45 miles (71 to 72 km). This includes trails for hiking, equestrian use, and approximately 16 miles (26 km) dedicated to mountain biking.
What is the official website for Highland State Recreation Area?
The official website for Highland State Recreation Area is maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It provides detailed information on park facilities, regulations, and current conditions.
How can I contact Highland State Recreation Area?
For direct inquiries, Highland State Recreation Area can be contacted by phone. The park's phone number is +1-248-889-3750.
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