AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Brighton State Recreation Area

Brighton State Recreation Area Beach–Penosha Hiking Trail, 3 sights

5.5 mi · ▲ 312 ft · 1 hr 59 min

Brighton State Recreation Area Beach–Penosha Hiking Trail, 3 sights is a 5.5-mile out-and-back in Brighton State Recreation Area near Parishfield, MI. The route reaches Brighton State Recreation Area Beach. It climbs 312 ft. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi886 – 1,043 ft6.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.50073, -83.83503
Nearest town Parishfield, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Brighton State Recreation Area Beach–Penosha Hiking Trail, 3 sights

5.5 mi · ▲ 312 ft · 1 hr 59 min

Elevation 885–1,045 ft

Out & Back · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.50073, -83.83503

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:21 AM · sunset 7:38 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftPass Brighton State Recreation Area Beach.
  3. 150 ftBear right, heading SE.
  4. 300 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NE.
  5. 100 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading E.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading E.
  7. 250 ftTurn left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading E.
  8. 50 ftTurn right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading E.
  9. 0.4 miBear left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SE.
  10. 350 ftBear left onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading E.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading NE.
  12. 50 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NE.
  13. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SE.
  14. 300 ftTurn left onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SE.
  15. 50 ftTurn left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SE.
  16. 450 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading E.
  17. 1.6 miReach Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  18. 1.6 miContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading N.
  19. 450 ftTurn right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading N.
  20. 50 ftTurn right onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading N.
  21. 300 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading N.
  22. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading W.
  23. 50 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NW.
  24. 50 ftBear right onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading NW.
  25. 350 ftBear right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SW.
  26. 0.4 miTurn left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading W.
  27. 50 ftTurn right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading W.
  28. 250 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading NW.
  29. 100 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NW.
  30. 350 ftBear left, heading NW.
  31. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/brighton-state-recreation-area-beach-out-back

Trail surface

100% other

Weather

Sunrise 7:21 AMSunset 7:38 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.7 mi in (~72 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 7:38 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Parishfield, Michigan