Medium Demand — Legendary Singletrack on the Potawatomi Trail

Pinckney State Recreation Area

Livingston County · Lower Peninsula · Pinckney, MI 48169
180
Campsites
11,000
Acres
From $22
Per Night
17
Miles of Trail
Season: April – November
Hookups: Electric
Pets: Allowed on leash
Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com
Phone: (734) 426-4913
Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

About Pinckney State Recreation Area

Pinckney State Recreation Area is one of southeast Michigan's largest and most rugged rec areas, covering roughly 11,000 acres of glacial hill-and-kettle terrain southwest of Ann Arbor. It's best known in Michigan mountain biking circles for the Potawatomi Trail ("the Poto"), a challenging 17-mile singletrack loop widely considered one of the toughest and most rewarding rides in the state.

The Bruin Lake Campground offers 161 modern electric sites in a wooded setting near Bruin and Silver Lakes, with swimming, fishing, and canoe access close by. Pinckney also has two rustic campgrounds — Crooked Lake (25 sites) and the hike-in-only Blind Lake (10 sites) — for campers who want a quieter, no-hookup stay. Pinckney connects to neighboring Waterloo State Recreation Area via the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, letting hikers and bikers link both parks into one extended backcountry route.

CampgroundSitesHookupsBest For
Bruin Lake Campground161 sitesElectricMountain biking, hiking, families
Crooked Lake Rustic Campground25 sitesNone (vault toilets, hand pump)Quiet tent camping
Blind Lake Rustic Hike-in Campsites10 sitesNone (vault toilet, hand pump)Hike-in, one-night stays
Heads up: The Potawatomi Trail is genuinely difficult in places, with steep, technical climbs and descents — it's a serious ride, not a casual family loop.
Local tip: Combine a Pinckney stay with the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail to link up with Waterloo State Recreation Area for a longer backcountry hike or bike without needing to drive between parks.

Campground Map

Pinckney State Recreation Area map
No dedicated campground-specific map exists for Pinckney — this general recreation area map shows the trail system, lakes, and campground location.

The Potawatomi Trail

The park's signature feature is the Potawatomi Trail, a 17-mile singletrack loop through rolling glacial terrain that's earned a reputation as one of Michigan's premier mountain biking routes. Shorter loops and connector trails let less experienced riders and hikers sample the terrain without committing to the full circuit.

How to Get a Reservation

The 6-Month Booking Window

Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Pinckney 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 Pinckney.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (734) 426-4913

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 161 sites at Bruin Lake Campground offer electric service. The Crooked Lake and Blind Lake rustic campgrounds have no hookups.

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.

Swimming & Paddling

Silver Lake has a designated swim beach, and several of the park's lakes are popular for canoeing and kayaking.

Directions

Pinckney State Recreation Area is located at 8555 Silver Hill Rd, Pinckney, MI 48169, in Livingston County, about 20 miles northwest of Ann Arbor.

Frequently Asked Questions

It's a 17-mile singletrack loop through Pinckney's rolling glacial terrain, widely considered one of Michigan's premier and most challenging mountain biking routes.

The Bruin Lake Campground has 180 modern electric campsites.

Yes, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail links the two parks, letting hikers and bikers travel between them without driving.

Reservations open exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. For sold-out dates, a CampDrop alert will text you the moment a cancellation opens up a site.

The park typically operates April through November. Confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

The full loop is genuinely challenging with steep, technical sections — beginners may prefer the shorter connector trails before attempting the entire route.