HomeMichiganOrion Township › Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,930 Google reviews · Running trail in Orion Township, Michigan · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Bald Mountain State Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicTrailhead parking

Rugged 4,637-acre park with trails, lakes, cabins & a shooting range in a hilly, wooded setting.

What runners say about Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,930 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Never crowded, clean well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“There were lots of beautiful trees with colorful foliage, as well as rocks and streams.”

This is a huge park for hiking! There's also a calm lake to kayak on. It's all no wake. There were many people fishing from the floating pier and along the shore. Large picnic areas with a playground, volleyball net and plenty of parking. There is also a nice looking beach with ample parking and picnic areas.

★★★★★ — D. , Jun 2018

We had a lovely 4 mile hike through the forest. There were lots of beautiful trees with colorful foliage, as well as rocks and streams.

★★★★☆ — Patrick , Oct 2023

Family place, nice area to have a good time with your friends also, a good swim, a tasty Bar-B-Q, a run and basically just to enjoy a good day. however still don't know about the lake if is it muddy or sandy. but from my first point of view i recommend it.

★★★★☆ — A. , Jul 2022

Such a beautiful park. The leaves are starting to change and wildlife is slowly disappearing due to the cold but the hike was amazing. Sat around this body of water for hours and swung in a hammock. Such a refreshing feeling, view & experience

★★★★★ — Ayeekellss , Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,930 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“I fished from the pier this time and it was a relaxing setup with amazing views around the lake.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Large picnic areas with a playground, volleyball net and plenty of parking.”

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Plan your run at Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitemichigandnr.com
  • Phone(248) 693-6767

Hours

Monday 8 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–10 PM
Thursday 8 AM–10 PM
Friday 8 AM–10 PM
Saturday 8 AM–10 PM
Sunday 8 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

3361 S Lapeer Rd, Orion Township, MI 48360

Get directions

Running trails near Orion Township

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Bald Mountain Trail Head

4.7 ★★★★★ 128 reviews

Lake Orion, MI

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

1.2 miles away

Polly Ann Trail - South Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

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Mixed

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Polly Ann Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 33 reviews

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Mixed

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Paint Creek Junction Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 20 reviews

Oakland Township, MI

2.7 miles away

Foley Pond On Paint Creek Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 64 reviews

Orion Township, MI

BoardwalkScenic

2.7 miles away

Orion Oaks County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 750 reviews

Lake Orion, MI

Dog-friendly

900+ acres of county land with a boating & fishing lake, dog park & trails for hiking or biking.

3.3 miles away

All running trails in Orion Township, MI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.