Island Lake Recreation Area
About
Island Lake Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Michigan, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources and located about 3.4 miles from Brighton. The surrounding area holds a cluster of named mountain biking and cross-country skiing routes, which makes it a convenient base for riding in the warmer months and skiing in winter. Late spring through early fall is the most comfortable stretch. Typical averages from the nearby Whitmore Lake weather station run to highs around 77°F in June and 73°F in September, while January highs average about 30°F, with lows near 15°F. Mountain bikers will find the Blue Trail about half a mile away and the Yellow Trail within a mile. Skiers can head to Bucks Run and Coyote Run, both roughly 2.3 miles off.
Park size
4,069 acres
Inside this park
Location
Island Lake Recreation Area
Michigan
Data source: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (Protected Areas Database, public domain)
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: May–Oct. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–82°F and lows of 40–59°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Whitmore Lake 1nw, MI weather station, 5.3 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan30° high15° low
- Feb34° high14° low
- Mar44° high24° low
- Apr57° high34° low
- May69° high45° low
- Jun77° high54° low
- Jul82° high59° low
- Aug79° high58° low
- Sep73° high50° low
- Oct60° high40° low
- Nov47° high30° low
- Dec35° high22° low
Where it is
- Island Lake Recreation Area · Public land
- Nearest town
- Brighton, Michigan · 3.4 mi
- Managed by
- State Department of Natural Resources
Nearby
- Blue TrailMountain biking0.5 mi
- Yellow TrailMountain biking0.8 mi
- Yellow & Blue TrailMountain biking1.1 mi
- Bucks RunCross-country skiing2.3 mi
- Coyote RunCross-country skiing2.3 mi
- Hawk HillsCross-country skiing2.4 mi
- Brighton Recreation Area Bishop Lake Hiking TrailsHiking5.4 mi
- New C-Loop RouteCross-country skiing6 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Island Lake Recreation Area
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
30° / 15°
Feb
34° / 14°
Mar
44° / 24°
Apr
57° / 34°
May
69° / 45°
Jun
77° / 54°
Jul
82° / 59°
Aug
79° / 58°
Sep
73° / 50°
Oct
60° / 40°
Nov
47° / 30°
Dec
35° / 22°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Whitmore Lake 1nw, MI, 5.3 mi away at 906 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
