AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Brighton State Recreation Area

Chenango Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 4 sights

4.3 mi · ▲ 178 ft · 1 hr 31 min

Chenango Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 4 sights is a 4.3-mile out-and-back in Brighton State Recreation Area near Pettysville, MI. The route passes Brighton State Recreation Area Beach and Chenango Lake. It is mostly level, with 178 ft of elevation gain. It scores 63/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi919 – 981 ft4.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Richardson Trail 42.50173, -83.88616
Nearest town Pettysville, MI
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Chenango Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 4 sights

4.3 mi · ▲ 178 ft · 1 hr 31 min

Elevation 919–982 ft

Out & Back · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: Richardson Trail · 42.50173, -83.88616

Weather Sep 20: Light rain, high 63°F / low 57° · precip 58% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 7:21 AM · sunset 7:38 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Richardson Trail, heading W.
  2. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  3. 50 ftPass Brighton State Recreation Area Beach.
  4. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  5. 0.4 miTurn left, heading NW.
  6. 50 ftPass Chenango Lake.
  7. 450 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  8. 0.4 miTurn right, heading N.
  9. 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
  10. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  11. 0.5 miBear right onto Brady Trail, heading N.
  12. 250 ftTurn left, heading W.
  13. 0.3 miReach Chenango Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  14. 0.4 miBear left, heading W.
  15. 0.5 miTurn left, heading NE.
  16. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  17. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  18. 0.4 miTurn right, heading SE.
  19. 450 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  20. 0.4 miBear left, heading SW.
  21. 0.2 miBear left onto Richardson Trail, heading E.
  22. 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/chenango-lake-brighton-state-recreation-area-beach-out-back-5-sights-7-km

Weather

Light rainTemperature 63°F57°
Precip58%Wind7 mphUV2Humidity88%
Rained 0.3″ yesterday · trails may be muddy
Hourly temperatureRain chance
65°55° 12 AM: 6% rain1 AM: 9% rain2 AM: 11% rain3 AM: 9% rain4 AM: 8% rain5 AM: 3% rain6 AM: 3% rain7 AM: 6% rain8 AM: 30% rain9 AM: 34% rain10 AM: 43% rain11 AM: 58% rain12 PM: 48% rain1 PM: 49% rain2 PM: 42% rain3 PM: 36% rain4 PM: 15% rain5 PM: 9% rain6 PM: 10% rain7 PM: 9% rain8 PM: 4% rain9 PM: 2% rain10 PM: 1% rain
Sunrise 7:21 AM12 AM3 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:38 PM
Mon 61°49°
Tue 66°45°
Wed 58°54°
Thu 70°51°
Fri 70°47°
Sat 71°46°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:18 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:38 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:06 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Pettysville, Michigan