AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Brighton State Recreation Area

Reed Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 5 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 25 min

Reed Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 5 sights is a 4.2-mile out-and-back in Brighton State Recreation Area near Parishfield, MI. The route passes Reed Lake before reaching Brighton State Recreation Area Beach at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi873 – 929 ft4.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.51275, -83.81176
Nearest town Parishfield, MI
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Reed Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 5 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 25 min

Elevation 872–927 ft

Out & Back · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.51275, -83.81176

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:23 AM · sunset 7:34 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 100 ftTurn left onto Ralph's Ride, heading S.
  3. 200 ftBear left onto Lost Loop, heading SE.
  4. 0.2 miBear left, heading SW.
  5. 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  6. 300 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SW.
  7. 0.6 miSharp right onto Racoon Swamp, heading SW.
  8. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SE.
  9. 250 ftContinue straight onto Easy, heading NW.
  10. 100 ftContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading W.
  11. 0.5 miPass Reed Lake.
  12. 350 ftBear right, heading N.
  13. 0.2 miPass Brighton State Recreation Area Beach.
  14. 50 ftBear left onto Murray Lake, heading W.
  15. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading W.
  16. 100 ftTurn left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading W.
  17. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  18. 50 ftReach Reed Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 0.2 miTurn right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading E.
  20. 100 ftBear left onto Murray Lake, heading E.
  21. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SE.
  22. 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
  23. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Easy, heading NE.
  24. 100 ftContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading NE.
  25. 250 ftContinue straight onto Racoon Swamp, heading E.
  26. 0.1 miSharp left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading S.
  27. 0.6 miTurn right onto Lost Loop, heading N.
  28. 150 ftBear right, heading N.
  29. 100 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  30. 0.2 miBear right onto Ralph's Ride, heading S.
  31. 200 ftTurn right, heading S.
  32. 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/reed-lake-reed-lake-out-back-6-sights-7-km

Trail surface

95% other1% dirt1% boardwalk3% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:23 AMSunset 7:34 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 6:53 PM for the 7:34 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Parishfield, Michigan