About Island Lake State Recreation Area
Island Lake State Recreation Area covers 4,000 acres along the Huron River between Brighton and South Lyon, and its overnight camping is a departure from the typical Michigan state park playbook. There's no standard drive-in modern campground here — instead, campers choose between two canoe-access-only sites on the river and two rustic bunkhouses that sleep up to 12 people each.
The canoe campground's two sites are reachable only by canoe or kayak, with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables but no potable water, and a one-night maximum stay. The rustic bunkhouses offer bunk beds, tables, benches, and propane heat, with hand-pump water and nearby vault toilets — no electricity or running water at either option. A group-use site accommodating up to 50 people rounds out the overnight offerings.
Things to Do
Paddling the Huron River is the park's signature activity, with the canoe campsites built specifically for multi-day river trips. On land, the park is also known for mountain biking and hiking through terrain the DNR is actively restoring to oak barren natural communities — a distinctive, increasingly rare Michigan habitat. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early fall offers the best paddling conditions on the Huron River. The bunkhouses are a good option for group outings any time the weather cooperates, given their propane heat.
Reservation Tips
Because Island Lake's overnight options are limited to two canoe sites and two bunkhouses rather than a large campground, availability is tighter than a typical state park — reserve through MiDNRReservations.com well ahead, especially for weekend bunkhouse rentals.
Getting There
The park sits just off I-96 between Brighton and South Lyon, about 45 minutes northwest of Ann Arbor and an easy day trip from the greater Detroit area.