Island Lake Recreation Area Overview

Motor City Mountain Biking Association

Island Lake Recreation Area

25 years ago, the MMBA began work reestablishing the overgrown and long neglected Island Lake Recreation Area trail system. Today, these trails are now one of Michigan’s most popular mountain bike trail destinations. Many a mountain biker can claim Island Lake as their first singletrack experience, and it’s a great place to share the sport with beginners.  The trail head parking lot has room for 120 cars, and while prime weekend days find it mostly full, the trails never feel that crowded. Paved bike paths connect Island Lake to the Kensington MetroPark, the Milford mountain biking trails, Proud Lake Recreation Area trails, and beyond making Island Lake the perfect launching point for all-day epic biking adventures.

From the trail head, riders can chose from two trails, each with their own character. The Blue trail, approximately 9 miles in length, is fast and flowing, with gentle climbs and descents. Beginner friendly, the flow really appears at speed and experienced riders will find Blue a great place to spin all out and work on their cardio as the miles fly by. The Yellow Trail, approximately 6 miles in length, is a more technical and hilly intermediate trail with scenic stretches along the Huron River and great vistas. The end of the Blue Trail shares a small section of two track with Yellow, and so it’s easy to link both Blue and Yellow into a 14+ mile loop.

Both trails cross park roads; please exercise caution at these crossings.

Trail Status: open

Trail Miles: 15

Entry Fees: All vehicles entering the park must have a Recreation Passport.  Passports can be purchased online or at the Michigan Secretary of State offices when renewing your license plate, or at a Self-Serve Kiosk at each park entrance. 

Trail Conditions and Discussion Forum: Link

Trail Coordinators: Mark Dombrowski

Trail Maps: island_lake_map.pdf

Local Weather: Weather Underground

Directions: I-96 at exit 151 (Kensington Rd.) head S. on Kensington Rd. 1/2 mile to Park Entrance

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  • MCMBA Clinics

    MCMBA Clinics

    Come join us to re/learn fundamental skills and gain confidence on the trails. Clinics are a great way to take your skills to the next level by getting instruction, repetition, and feedback from certified instructors in a controlled, low-risk environment. Scan the QR code or click the links below for more details and to register!…

  • Milford Bike Fest

    Milford Bike Fest

    Sat June 3, 2023 – Milford, MI Did you know that 5 single track mountain bike trails are fully accessible from Downtown Milford?  Join the Motor City Mountain Biking Association for the Milford Bike Fest and Trail Challenge as we showcase some of our favorite mountain bike trails, raise money for trail maintenance and youth…

  • Spring MCMBA Chapter Meeting

    Spring MCMBA Chapter Meeting

    Join us at River’s Edge Brewing Company in Milford, MI at 7pm to find out our 2023 trail plans, LMB membership updates, and pick up FAFL swag! Some members are doing a social pace of Milford around 4:15 at the Janowski Field trailhead, come join them and meet some of your fellow riders!