Medium Demand — Multiple Lakes and Serious Mountain Bike Trails

Brighton State Recreation Area

Livingston County · Lower Peninsula · Howell, MI 48843
96
Campsites
4,900
Acres
From $22
Per Night
20+
Miles of Trail
Season: April – November
Hookups: Electric
Pets: Allowed on leash
Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com
Phone: (810) 229-6566
Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

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.

The Bishop Lake Campground offers 96 modern electric sites near a swimming beach, with several other lakes in the park adding fishing and paddling options. It's a convenient basecamp for riders and families alike, close to US-23 and easy reach of both Ann Arbor and Brighton.

CampgroundSitesHookupsBest For
Bishop Lake Campground96 sitesElectricMountain biking, swimming, families
Heads up: The mountain bike trails here draw a dedicated local riding community — expect the trailhead lots to fill on weekends with good weather, especially in fall.
Local tip: Pair a Brighton stay with a ride or hike over to Pinckney State Recreation Area — the two parks sit close together and both offer serious singletrack for a multi-day southeast Michigan trail trip.

Mountain Biking & Multiple Lakes

PHOTO PLACEHOLDER

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.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (810) 229-6566

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 96 sites at Bishop Lake Campground offer electric service.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — the park has more than 20 miles of singletrack, ranging from beginner-friendly flow trails to technical, root-strewn descents, and it's a popular stop on the Michigan mountain biking circuit.

The Bishop Lake Campground has 96 modern electric campsites.

Yes, the two parks are about 10 miles apart and both offer serious mountain bike singletrack, making them easy to combine into one southeast Michigan trail trip.

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.

It's off US-23 in Livingston County, between Ann Arbor and Brighton, near Howell, Michigan.