Pinckney State Recreation Area App
Pinckney State Recreation Area is a large park located in southeast Michigan known for its extensive network of hiking trails and boating opportunities.
Download the Android app here.
Return to the main Pinckney State Recreation Area page.
Pinckney State Recreation Area Half Moon Beach
Half Moon Beach is one of two main beaches in Pinckney State Recreation Area (the other is Silver Lake). In addition to providing a beach area, Half Moon also provides access into the chain of lakes that makes boating so popular within the park.
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This page is just a small part of Pinckney State Recreation Area app.
Pinckney State Recreation Area Boating
Pinckney State Recreation Area has two main draws. First, the extensive trail network, and second the extensive boating opportunities. If countless lakes and ponds weren’t enough, Pinckney State Recreation Area is also home to a chain of seven lakes, some built up with homes, but others nearly untouched, this chain of lakes is created by the dam in Hell, MI. Most people access the chain via either Half Moon Beach or a launch on Hi-Land Lake. The chain is long enough to allow a full day of kayaking or canoeing around its perimeter. Be sure to poke your boat into the little side channels and inlets, as some of them, especially the one headed toward Unadilla, for example, provide opportunities to get off the beaten path into wild areas seen by few others.
Return to the main park page.
This page is a small part of the Pinckney State Recreation Area app.
Pinckney State Recreation Area Horse Rental
Pinckney State Recreation Area does not offer horse rentals immediately within the park, however, just outside the park, horses are available at Hell Creek Ranch. They also offer horse-friendly camping. Contact them at 734-878-3632
Whether you bring your own or rent, there’s plenty of trails available to you within the park, with the main, equestrian trail area available at the north end of the park offering 12.8km of trails through hilly woodlands or, if you prefer, Lakelands Trail State Park crosses the north end of the park and offers a linear, rails-to-trails path.
Return to the main park page.
This page is a small part of the Pinckney State Recreation Area app.
Pinckney State Recreation Area Camping
There are three, main camping locations available within the park at Pinckney State Recreation Area, plus two other rental options.
The main campground is the Bruin Lake modern campground. With electric service at the site, modern restrooms, showers, and its own boat launch, this campground has 186 sites.
For those looking for a more rustic camping experience, two smaller campground are available, at Blind Lake (10 sites) and Crooked Lake (25 sites). Blind Lake is walk-in only, so is used mostly by backpackers.
Additionally, Bruin Lake has one camper cabin available for rent, and there’s a yurt available along the channel leading out of Half Moon Lake which is accessible to hikers and boaters.
For those traveling with horses, Hell Creek Ranch also offers camping just outside the park.
Check the fees page for information on current costs.
Return to the main Pinckney State Recreation Area page.
This page is a small part of the Pinckney State Recreation Area app.
Pinckney State Recreation Area Fees
Most state parks, most parks in general, are a great value. Due to the financial transitions going on in Michigan, fees may be subject to rapid change, with or without notice, but we still expect the cost be be low enough to not be a deterrent.
Admission
Admission to the park requires a Michigan Recreation Passport. This gives you access to all state parks, state recreation areas, and state boat launches. For vehicles registered in Michigan, the annual cost is $10, purchased when you renew your license plate. For vehicles with out of state registrations, daily and annual permits are still available. As failure to have a recreation passport/permit can now result in significant fines, and no park rangers are available at the gate, it’s worth looking for one when you arrive at the park, or purchase your out of state permits in advance.
Camping
- Blind Lake (Rustic): $12, walk-in sites
- Bruin Lake (Modern sites): $16 – $24. Electric available
- Crooked Lake (Rustic): $12
Cabins
- Bruin Lake Camper Cabin (1 available): $60 – $80
- Glenbrook Yurt (1 available): $60
Horse rental:
- Horses are available at Hell Creek Ranch, located in the southeast corner of the equestrian trail area of the park. Camping (with or without horses) is also available at Hell Creek Ranch. Contact them at 734-878-3632 for reservations, current costs, or more information.
Return to the main park page.
This page is a small part of the Pinckney State Recreation Area app.