Home › Michigan › White Lake › Highland Recreation Area
Highland Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 350 Google reviews · Running trail in White Lake, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 6 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Highland 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.
Trails, campgrounds, lakes, and a beach on 5,900 acres are featured at this outdoor state park.
What runners say about Highland Recreation Area
“Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, the well-maintained paths wind through picturesque forests, wetlands, and open meadows.”
“Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, the well-maintained paths wind through picturesque forests, wetlands, and open meadows.”
“Well maintained trails and well marked as well.”
“Whether you're an adventurer, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful retreat, the Highland Recreation Area is a must-visit destination in Michigan.”
My camping trip at Highland Recreation Area was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! The site was clean and so peaceful! I loved how rustic it was! Even got to see horses! The bathrooms were clean always and the staff was great! If you go you have to hike up to “Haven Hill” and see Edsel Fords cottage and site where his lodge was.
I love the hiking trails here and the history of the Ford Estate. They have a 2 mile out and back gravel path that is nice for family walks or bike rides, three well marked hiking trails, challenging mountain bikes trails and trails for horseback riding. Some trails are mult-use for horses and hikers so just be aware.
It was a beautiful sunny day, February 16, 2020 for a walk with my dog on the trails in Highland Recreation Area. There were many others walking and taking in the beauty of Michigan in the great outdoors.
This is a State park. If you pay for the recreation pass with your place you enter free! The Beach is so clean and clear! Sand is great for building Sand Castles! There’s several natures walks. Horse back riding, Camping, lake access for boat launching... Is good for fishing.
Trail conditions & character
“It was a beautiful sunny day, February 16, 2020 for a walk with my dog on the trails in Highland Recreation Area.”
“Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, the well-maintained paths wind through picturesque forests, wetlands, and open meadows.”
“The trails could be marked better is some areas, but they are lovely trails; winding up and down forest hills and through wetland areas over boardwalks.”
“Whether you're an adventurer, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful retreat, the Highland Recreation Area is a must-visit destination in Michigan.”
“It took me about 3hrs to complete 6.5 miles(didn’t go to C,D loops as it was getting dark).”
“It had wooden markers, but they were very old and the farther I followed, the less like a path or became.”
“You start at the A loop and have an option either to go to B-C loops or go to D loop.”
Plan your run at Highland Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance6 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Phone(248) 889-3750
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near White Lake
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Duck Lake Pines Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 176 reviews
Family-friendly park known for playground and ball fields (baseball, soccer, football) and roller hockey.
Highland Rec MTB
4.8 ★★★★★ 129 reviews
Park offering hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails, plus historical interest.
Dodge Park #10
4.4 ★★★★☆ 77 reviews
Park offering trails, picnic tables, a pavilion, and campsites with cots and tents.
Highland Oaks Nature Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 97 reviews
302-acre park providing equestrian trails & open recreational space amid rolling hills & wetlands.