Island Lake Recreation Area is a 4,000-acre park in Livingston County that offers an “up north” experience. The terrain is a mixture of open brush land to mature hardwood forest, with some pockets of open meadows mixed in.

Island Lake is the only balloon port in the state park system. Balloons usually take off in the early morning or late evening, depending on the wind and weather.

Island Lake Recreation Area has one of the nation’s safest shooting ranges. The park has great canoeing, volleyball courts, picnic shelters, swimming and cabins to rent.

Access to the Huron River Water Trail

Beaches:

Spring Mill Pond is the perfect place to bring the family this summer. The pond is spring feed so the water stays cool and clear all summer long. Since it’s a pond you can swim straight across if you are a strong swimmer. You can also take advantage of their vending machines, picnic tables, bathrooms, and grills. It tends to fill up fast so get there early and make sure you have a Park pass to enter Island Lake Recreation Area.

Rentals:

Boat rentals, including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, are available in the beach house on Kent Lake Memorial Day through Labor Day. Rentals are first come, first served so be sure to get here early. You can drop your own kayaks or paddleboards into Kent Lake.

Click here for information on the track chair reservation.