Pinckney State Recreation Area – Blind Lake Walk-In Campground loop from Pinckney State Recreation Area

Mountain biking trails

United States

Michigan

Washtenaw County

Pinckney State Recreation Area – Blind Lake Walk-In Campground loop from Pinckney State Recreation Area

Moderate

2.8

(5)

riders

Pinckney State Recreation Area – Blind Lake Walk-In Campground loop from Pinckney State Recreation Area

02:48

33.7km

230m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: September 10, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Pinckney State Recreation Area

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.24 km

Mark Hoffman Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

This trailhead sits beside Pickerel Lake, an 80-acre undeveloped lake in Pinckney Recreation Area. The lake is a serene retreat, ringed by unspoiled forest and wetlands, with no buildings or development along its shore. From here, hikers can step directly into wilderness, using the trailhead as both an access point for the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail and a gateway to quiet exploration around Pickerel Lake.

Tip by

5.80 km

Pickerel Lake

Highlight • Lake

Embark on a serene escape to Pickerel Lake—an 80-acre, undeveloped haven. This pristine retreat offers untouched natural beauty. Runners can immerse themselves in the tranquil landscape, surrounded by the unspoiled wilderness that defines Pickerel Lake.

Tip by

8.44 km

Bridge through Meadow

Highlight (Segment) • Bridge

After crossing Hankerd Road, this bridge runs over a meadow. Slow down a bit and watch out for debris here.

Tip by

8.56 km

Wetland Boardwalk

Highlight • Trail

A raised wooden boardwalk carrying the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail across a marsh just west of Hankerd Road. This stretch offers a glimpse into Pinckney’s wetland habitat, where cattails, shrubs, and standing dead trees attract marsh birds and amphibians. It’s both a practical crossing and a scenic change of pace, immersing hikers in one of the park’s most vibrant ecosystems.

Tip by

9.95 km

Dead Lake

Lake

13.2 km

Wild Goose Lake

Highlight • Lake

it's not a wild goose chase

Tip by

14.8 km

Pinckney State Recreation Area

Highlight • Trail

A 11,000-acre park known for its rolling forests, quiet inland lakes, and one of Michigan’s best networks of hiking and biking trails. The eastern half of the 34-mile Waterloo–Pinckney Trail runs through here, linking kettle lakes, ridges, and rustic campgrounds like Blind Lake. With its mix of loop trails, backpacking routes, and lake access, Pinckney is a hub for outdoor adventure and the perfect landscape to end a thru-hike.

Tip by

16.0 km

Blind Lake Walk-In Campground

Highlight • Rest Area

Set about halfway along the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail loop in Pinckney Recreation Area, Blind Lake is a hike-in only campground with 10 rustic sites. Each site has a fire ring, with vault toilets and a hand pump for water nearby. Campers must check in at the park office on the day of arrival, and stays are limited to one night. Reservations are available online, but same-day arrivals are first-come, first-served.

Tip by

17.5 km