Waterloo-pickney Trail

The Waterloo-pickney Trail is 51.47 km, or about 32 miles, point to point. Most backpackers split it into 2 to 3 days, especially if using the designated camp areas in Waterloo and Pinckney recreation areas. Strong day hikers can cover it in one long outing, but the usual plan is an overnight or weekend trip.

The route runs between Waterloo Recreation Area and Pinckney Recreation Area, so it is commonly hiked as a shuttle. On the Waterloo side, park access is through Waterloo Recreation Area near 16345 McClure Road, Chelsea. On the Pinckney side, the recreation area headquarters is at 8555 Silver Hill Road, Pinckney. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry at state park locations.

Camping on the Waterloo-pickney Trail is allowed only in designated campgrounds, not anywhere along the corridor. In Waterloo Recreation Area, designated options include Portage Lake, Sugarloaf Lake, Green Lake, Horseman’s Campground, and the Pines campground near the 10-mile marker. In Pinckney Recreation Area, designated trail camping includes Blind Lake and Crooked Lake Campground, and permits or reservations are required where applicable.

Dogs are generally allowed on Michigan state park trails, including the recreation areas the Waterloo-pickney Trail crosses, as long as they are kept under control and typically on a leash. Because this is a multi-day, point-to-point route with campgrounds, lakes, and shared-use sections near other trail systems, good leash control and cleanup are especially important. Checking current park rules before setting out is sensible because site-specific restrictions can change.

The Waterloo-pickney Trail is listed as easy overall, with 571 m of elevation gain spread across 51.47 km. That makes it manageable in sections for newer hikers, but the full end-to-end route is still a long multi-day commitment. Shorter family-friendly outings are more realistic than the entire trail, especially near the recreation area access points and campgrounds.

No, bikes are not allowed on the Waterloo section of the Waterloo-pickney Trail. In Pinckney Recreation Area, the trail is closed to bikes west of the Potawatomi Trail at intersection 12. For hikers, that means the route stays primarily a foot-travel experience rather than a full shared bike trail.

The Waterloo-pickney Trail crosses southern Michigan lake country through Waterloo and Pinckney recreation areas. The route passes mixed forest, wetlands, open meadows, and a chain of named lakes including Big Portage Lake, Green Lake, Crooked Lake, Blind Lake, Pickerel Lake, Halfmoon Lake, and Silver Lake. The terrain is not mountainous, but the repeated small climbs and rolling ground add up over 51.47 km.

Yes. Portions of the Waterloo-pickney Trail are open to hunting during established seasons in both Waterloo and Pinckney recreation areas. Hikers using the trail in fall should expect shared public land use and take extra precautions, including wearing bright colors during hunting seasons.