About Brighton State Recreation Area
Brighton State Recreation Area covers roughly 4,900 acres of rolling hills and small lakes just southwest of the city of Brighton, and it's become one of the more popular mountain biking destinations in southeast Michigan. Its trail network — built and maintained with active local mountain bike club involvement — offers more than 20 miles of singletrack ranging from flowy beginner loops to technical, root-strewn descents.
Bishop Lake Campground is the park's main modern campground, with 144 electric sites near a swimming beach. Brighton also has two rustic campgrounds — Appleton Lake and Murray Lake (25 sites each; Murray Lake is open weekends only, Memorial Day through Labor Day) — plus a 15-site equestrian campground, a rustic yurt and cabins, and a youth group camp spread across the park's many small lakes. It's a convenient basecamp for riders and families alike, close to US-23 and easy reach of both Ann Arbor and Brighton.
| Campground | Sites | Hookups | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Lake Campground | 144 sites | Electric | Mountain biking, swimming, families |
| Appleton Lake Rustic Campground | 25 sites | None (vault toilet, hand pump) | Quiet, low-cost tent camping |
| Murray Lake Rustic Campground | 25 sites | None (weekends only, Memorial Day–Labor Day) | Quiet tent camping |
| Brighton Equestrian Campground | 15 sites | None (corrals/picket posts) | Horse camping |
Campground Map
Mountain Biking & Multiple Lakes
The park's signature feature is its trail network, with more than 20 miles of singletrack that has made Brighton a regular stop on the Michigan mountain biking circuit. Bishop Lake and several smaller lakes scattered through the park round out the experience with swimming, fishing, and quiet paddling.
How to Get a Reservation
The 6-Month Booking Window
Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Brighton State Recreation Area opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com.
Set a CampDrop Alert
If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Brighton.
What to Know Before You Go
Hookups & Site Types
Bishop Lake Campground's 144 sites all offer electric service. The Appleton Lake and Murray Lake rustic campgrounds and the equestrian campground have no hookups (vault toilets, hand-pump water).
Season
The park typically operates April through November; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.
Pets
Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.
Trail Access
Trailheads are accessible directly from the recreation area, so riders can start and end at the campground without shuttling.
Directions
Brighton State Recreation Area is located at 6360 Chilson Rd, Howell, MI 48843, in Livingston County, just off US-23 between Ann Arbor and Brighton.