Potawatomi Trail and Blind Lake

Pinckney Recreation Area, Michigan DNR (near Pinckney)

The Potawatomi Trail is a loop of about 17 miles through the Pinckney Recreation Area, and the DNR’s Blind Lake Rustic Hike-in Campsites sit about halfway around it. That makes it a two-day backpacking loop with a single, reservable campsite in the middle.

It’s also a well-known mountain bike trail, so timing and direction matter.

The hike

Michigan Trail Maps says all of Pinckney’s trails, including the Potawatomi, begin at the Silver Lake day-use area, where a large sign shows routes and distances. The guide lists the loop at 17.5 miles for hiking and calls it “one of the toughest rides in the state,” with many hills and ridges. Hikers travel counterclockwise; bikers ride clockwise on the Potawatomi, Silver Lake, and Crooked Lake trails.

Wikipedia describes the recreation area as about 11,000 acres of scattered parcels with more than 20 lakes. Lakes named along the park’s trail system include Silver Lake, near the headquarters; Crooked Lake, with a boat launch beside a rustic campground; and Halfmoon Lake, whose day-use area closes from Nov. 1 to April 1. The park’s high point, Stofer Hill, reaches 1,150 feet.

The Outbound puts Blind Lake about seven miles from Silver Lake and describes a 10.56-mile Blind Lake loop using parts of the Potawatomi and Waterloo-Pinckney trails, with about 860 feet of elevation gain. Its one reviewer, in August 2024, wrote: “Overall very nice trip through forest, bring bug spray!”

The DNR says Blind Lake’s 10 sites have a vault toilet, hand-pump water, and fire rings, and the Glenbrook Yurt is “just steps away from Potawatomi trail.” The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail joins the Potawatomi in the park, and Michigan Trail Maps says Blind Lake is often the last night for backpackers on that longer route; see the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail page.

Michigan Trail Maps’ main advice for hikers is about bikes: avoid the Potawatomi and Crooked Lake trails on weekends, and if possible hike midweek, in the morning, and in spring. It reports biking accidents every summer and suggests checking trail conditions with park headquarters (734-426-4913).

The DNR also notes seasonal restrictions on shooting from April 1 to Sept. 14; hunting is allowed in the park in season, per the DNR trail map.

Tips

Hike counterclockwise, facing oncoming bikes.
Go midweek to avoid weekend bike traffic.
Reserve Blind Lake and check in at the park office the day you arrive.
Bring insect repellent in summer.
Call headquarters (734-426-4913) for trail conditions.
Carry a Recreation Passport for vehicle entry.

Camping

Blind Lake Rustic Hike-in Campsites, about halfway along the loop, are the DNR’s hike-in campsites on the Potawatomi Trail. Wikipedia says the trail also gives access to a second rustic camping area, and the DNR map lists Crooked Lake Campground as a designated camping area. The DNR says there are 10 sites with a vault toilet, hand-pump water, and fire rings; use only dead and downed wood for fires; stays are limited to one night; and you must check in at the park office on the day of your reservation. Reserve at MiDNRReservations.com or by calling 734-426-4913; day-of arrivals are first come, first served. The DNR’s Pinckney trail map, however, says Blind Lake allows “no ground fires, backpack stoves only,” so confirm the fire rule when you check in. Camping is allowed only in designated areas, and permits are required, according to the same map.

Inside Intel: No camper accounts recommending a specific Blind Lake site were found. The Outbound’s only reviewer kept it simple: bring bug spray.

Trail facts

Distance: About 17 miles (17 to 17.5 by source)
Route type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Campsites: Blind Lake Rustic Hike-in (10 sites), about halfway
Water: Hand pump at Blind Lake
Permits: Reservation and park check-in required
Direction: Hikers counterclockwise; bikes clockwise
Trailhead: Silver Lake day-use area, Pinckney Recreation Area
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

One night at Blind Lake:

Blind Lake allows a single night per stay, so make it a comfortable one after a day of Pinckney's hills and ridges. See the sleeping pads reviewers like.

Read the full guide →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.