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Submission
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
From US 23 in Hartland, drive 12 miles east on M-59 or from I-75 in Pontiac, drive 14 miles west on M-59. Park entrance is located on the south side of M-59 between Ormond and Bogie Lake Rd/12 miles west of Pontiac, 60 miles east of Lansing, 25 miles south of Flint, 30 miles northwest of Detroit.
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. Learning about all of that up close and personal was hands down one of the coolest experiences. There is history all over the park and it’s truly amazing! I loved all the signs to give you some history on everything! It was so beautiful and peaceful. The lakes are great, I went fishing and kayaking! I highly recommend trying out this campground/park if you love the outdoors and learning about history you have to try it!
My summer camping at Highland Recreation area was something else! Woke up to a surprise breakfast buffet – compliments of a grass-munching rabbit right outside my tent! Later that evening, I had a magical moment where I saw the most beautiful raccoon I’ve ever seen! It even dove into the dumpster! Forget nature documentaries, this state park offers front-row seats to raccoon athleticism. To top off all the excitement, my dog tried to make friends with a skunk. The skunk had a different idea. This park gets a perfect ten, not just for the beautiful area, but also because the staff is so hot, they could melt the ice in Antarctica. It's like a nature retreat with bonus eye candy – highly recommend for the views, both scenic and staff-related!
I've been enjoying this park for years. I bike and walk the trails all summer long. The beach is great. The boat launch has a great space surrounding the area. Historic places are interesting, like Haven Hill and all the treasures to explore.
Nice wide main gravel trail with relatively gentle slope downward from the trailhead near the park entrance. We didn't do any of the side trails this time, but will come back to explore them.
