Brighton State Recreation Area

Murray Lake Trail & Racoon Swamp Loop

2.3 mi · ▲ 60 ft · 48 min

Murray Lake Trail & Racoon Swamp Loop is a 2.3-mile loop in Brighton State Recreation Area near Parishfield, MI. It is mostly level, with 60 ft of elevation gain. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi876 – 925 ft2.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lost Loop 42.50891, -83.81342
Nearest town Parishfield, MI

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Murray Lake Trail & Racoon Swamp Loop

2.3 mi · ▲ 60 ft · 48 min

Elevation 876–924 ft

Loop · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: Lost Loop · 42.50891, -83.81342

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

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Lost Loop, heading SW.
  2. 150 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SE.
  3. 0.6 miSharp right onto Racoon Swamp, heading S.
  4. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SW.
  5. 250 ftContinue straight onto Easy, heading W.
  6. 150 ftContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading W.
  7. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Racoon Swamp, heading W.
  8. 100 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading NW.
  9. 0.8 miSharp right, heading W.
  10. 0.5 miTurn left onto Lost Loop, heading NE.
  11. 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

98% other2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:21 AMSunset 7:38 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~14 min). Leave by 7:04 PM for the 7:38 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Lost Loop Trailhead