AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Brighton State Recreation Area

Reed Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 3 beaches

1.9 mi · ▲ 56 ft · 40 min

Reed Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 3 beaches is a 1.9-mile out-and-back in Brighton State Recreation Area near Parishfield, MI. The route passes Reed Lake and Brighton State Recreation Area Beach. It is mostly level, with 56 ft of elevation gain. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi886 – 932 ft2.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.50225, -83.82031
Nearest town Parishfield, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Reed Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 3 beaches

1.9 mi · ▲ 56 ft · 40 min

Elevation 887–932 ft

Out & Back · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.50225, -83.82031

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading N.
  3. 0.3 miPass Reed Lake.
  4. 350 ftBear right, heading W.
  5. 0.2 miPass Brighton State Recreation Area Beach.
  6. 100 ftBear left onto Murray Lake, heading W.
  7. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading W.
  8. 100 ftTurn right onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading SW.
  9. 200 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SW.
  10. 150 ftBear left onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SW.
  12. 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
  13. 100 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading W.
  14. 350 ftTurn right onto Appleton Lake Loop, heading S.
  15. 0.1 miReach Reed Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  17. 250 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NW.
  18. 150 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading NW.
  19. 100 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading NW.
  20. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading NW.
  21. 150 ftTurn right onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading NW.
  22. 150 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SE.
  23. 100 ftBear left onto Murray Lake, heading SE.
  24. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SE.
  25. 0.2 miBear right, heading E.
  26. 0.4 miArrive 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/reed-lake-reed-lake-out-back-4-lakes-3-km

Trail surface

84% other16% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:21 AMSunset 7:38 PM

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

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Parishfield, Michigan