Heron Lake & Wildwood Lake via Rough Ride
6.2 mi · ▲ 355 ft · 2 hr 15 min
Heron Lake & Wildwood Lake via Rough Ride is a 6.2-mile out-and-back in Holly State Recreation Area near Austin Corners, MI. The route passes Wildwood Lake before reaching Heron Lake at the turnaround, 3.1 miles in. It climbs 355 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 48/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Heron Lake & Wildwood Lake via Rough Ride
6.2 mi · ▲ 355 ft · 2 hr 15 min
Elevation 995–1,160 ft
Out & Back · Holly State Recreation Area
Trailhead: 42.82648, -83.48836
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:20 AM · sunset 7:37 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.2 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading W.
- 0.1 miSharp left, heading W.
- 0.4 miSharp left onto Rough Ride, heading W.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miPass Wildwood Lake.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 450 ftReach Heron Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 200 ftSharp right, heading N.
- 0.4 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.7 miBear right, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 7:14 PM for the 7:37 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:55 PM — 10 min before dark.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- McGinnis Lake via Rough Ride 5.9 mi · ▲ 309 ft
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