Medium Demand — Lake Swimming and Race-Grade Mountain Bike Trails

Holly State Recreation Area

Oakland County · Lower Peninsula · Holly, MI 48442
144
Campsites
7,900
Acres
From $22
Per Night
15+
Miles of Trail
Season: April – November
Hookups: Electric
Pets: Allowed on leash
Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com
Phone: (248) 634-8811
Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

About Holly State Recreation Area

Holly State Recreation Area spans nearly 7,900 acres of rolling glacial terrain in northern Oakland County, and it's built a strong reputation among Michigan mountain bikers for trails technical and varied enough that they've hosted regional racing events. Heron Lake anchors the day-use side of the park with a sandy swim beach, and the property also includes disc golf and a solid hiking trail network.

The modern campground offers 144 electric sites within easy reach of both the lake and the trailheads. It's a popular basecamp for riders looking to combine serious singletrack with a proper swim beach at the end of the day — a combination that's harder to find at some of the more trail-only rec areas nearby.

CampgroundSitesHookupsBest For
Holly Campground144 sitesElectricMountain biking, swimming, families
Heads up: The mountain bike trails here are technical enough to have hosted race events — some sections have real elevation and rock features, so know your skill level before committing to the full network.
Local tip: Ride the trails in the morning and cool off at the Heron Lake swim beach in the afternoon — the combination of technical singletrack and a proper beach is one of the park's best features.

Mountain Biking & Heron Lake

PHOTO PLACEHOLDER

The park's signature feature is its trail network — more than 15 miles of hiking and mountain biking trail through rolling, root-strewn terrain that's technical enough to have hosted regional mountain bike races. Heron Lake's sandy beach gives non-riders (and tired riders) a place to cool off.

How to Get a Reservation

The 6-Month Booking Window

Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Holly 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 Holly.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (248) 634-8811

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 144 sites 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 Difficulty

Trails range from beginner-friendly to genuinely technical — check trailhead maps for skill ratings before setting out on the more advanced sections.

Directions

Holly State Recreation Area is located at 8100 Grange Hall Rd, Holly, MI 48442, in Oakland County, just off I-75 north of Detroit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — the trails here are technical enough to have hosted regional mountain bike races, with more than 15 miles of hiking and biking trail through rolling terrain.

Yes, Heron Lake has a sandy designated swim beach near the campground.

The campground has 144 modern electric campsites.

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 just off I-75 in northern Oakland County, near the town of Holly.