AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area

Equestrian Viewpoint–Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area Beach, 3 beaches

2.9 mi · ▲ 194 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Equestrian Viewpoint–Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area Beach, 3 beaches is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area near Oxbow, MI. The route passes Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area Beach before reaching Equestrian Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.4 miles in. It is mostly level, with 194 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi968 – 1,083 ft3.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.67271, -83.44696
Nearest town Oxbow, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Equestrian Viewpoint–Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area Beach, 3 beaches

2.9 mi · ▲ 194 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Elevation 970–1,083 ft

Out & Back · Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.67271, -83.44696

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:20 AM · sunset 7:37 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftPass Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area Beach.
  3. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  4. 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
  5. 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
  6. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
  7. 0.2 miSharp right onto Mountain Bike Trail, heading SW.
  8. 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
  9. 300 ftBear right, heading SW.
  10. 100 ftBear left onto Equestrian Trail, heading SW.
  11. 400 ftBear right onto Hiking Trail, heading W.
  12. 50 ftBear left onto Equestrian Trail, heading W.
  13. 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
  14. 150 ftReach Equestrian Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 100 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  16. 0.3 miBear right onto Hiking Trail, heading NE.
  17. 100 ftBear left onto Equestrian Trail, heading NE.
  18. 350 ftBear right, heading NE.
  19. 150 ftBear left, heading E.
  20. 300 ftTurn right onto Mountain Bike Trail, heading NE.
  21. 350 ftSharp left, heading E.
  22. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  23. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  24. 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
  25. 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
  26. 350 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/equestrian-viewpoint-pontiac-lake-state-recreation-area-beach-out-back-3-beaches-5-km-9b44

Trail surface

4% dirt96% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:20 AMSunset 7:37 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~35 min). Leave by 6:41 PM for the 7:37 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Oxbow, Michigan