HomeMichiganBrighton › Brighton Rec. MTB Trailheads

Brighton Rec. MTB Trailheads

4.8 ★★★★★ 228 Google reviews · Running trail in Brighton, Michigan · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Brighton Rec. MTB Trailheads' 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.

Natural surfaceScenicMile markers

Lakeside trail system for hiking and biking through woods and other scenic areas.

What runners say about Brighton Rec. MTB Trailheads

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (228 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“I recommend that all Michigan residents get the Pass; it opens up so many beautiful spaces!”

Great place to hike. Biking and hiking trails are separated so you don't have to worry about being run over.

★★★★★ — Melvin , May 2025

Loved the Penosha Trail. Definitely a moderate hike, with some hills and it's a great workout with the snow. Beautiful sites.

★★★★★ — Heather , Feb 2022

Love the variety of trails here. The picnic area has space to accommodate many people. The parking lot and picnic area can get really busy in the summer but it's mostly on the weekends when people want to enjoy the lake.

★★★★★ — Adam , Apr 2023

Torn shirt is technical and difficult to carry speed on which makes it a great work out! Definitely not a beginner trail as there is no place to bail off if you get tired. Just gotta send it🤘

★★★★★ — Tyler , Jun 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 228 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.

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 5 mentions

“Torn shirt is technical and difficult to carry speed on which makes it a great work out!”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“I recommend that all Michigan residents get the Pass; it opens up so many beautiful spaces!”

More trails like this →

📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Did the Murray Lake Trail, well marked with markers every half mile, in the snow.”

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Plan your run at Brighton Rec. MTB Trailheads

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • Websitemichigandnr.com
  • Phone(810) 229-6566

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 Brighton Rec. MTB Trailheads

Brighton, Michigan

Get directions

Running trails near Brighton

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

Penosha Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 56 reviews

Brighton, MI

5 miLoopNatural surface

Kid-friendly area featuring hiking trails and mountain biking.

under a mile away

Brighton Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,839 reviews

Howell, MI

Scenic

Sprawling park offers riding, hiking & biking trails, plus water sports, campsites & horse stables.

1.6 miles away

Lakelands Trail Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 100 reviews

Pinckney, MI

Paved

Flat, paved trail for walkers, runners, cyclists and rollerbladers, as well as horseback riders.

3.2 miles away

Mill Pond Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 758 reviews

Brighton, MI

BoardwalkScenic

Waterside park with a boardwalk and an amphitheater, plus a play area for kids.

3.3 miles away

Brady Trail

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Howell, MI

3.6 miles away

Genoa Township Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 447 reviews

Brighton, MI

LitDog-friendly

Park featuring a basketball court, a soccer field, play areas and sledding hill.

4.0 miles away

All running trails in Brighton, 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.