Proud Lake State Recreation Area is a natural retreat located in Commerce Township, Oakland County, Michigan. This expansive area, encompassing 3,000 to 4,700 acres, features a landscape shaped by glaciers, characterized by rolling terrain, dense hardwood forests, and extensive wetlands. The scenic Huron River meanders through the park, along with Proud Lake and other smaller bodies of water, contributing to diverse habitats. The recreation area offers opportunities for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more.
…74
Routes
4.7
(60)
Average rating
1224
People visited

5.0
(4)
32
hikers
16.7km
04:19
90m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
12.7km
03:17
80m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
4.06km
01:02
20m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.13km
01:05
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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179
riders
54.3km
02:28
300m
300m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

41
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.3
(4)
76
riders
30.4km
01:27
190m
190m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

37
riders
12.3km
00:40
40m
40m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(1)
52
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
42
riders
42.0km
03:11
120m
120m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
31
riders
43.8km
02:31
110m
110m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
riders
17.7km
01:00
40m
40m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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52
riders
16.6km
01:10
70m
70m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
38
riders
10.3km
00:46
20m
20m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
28
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
14
riders
5.94km
00:29
20m
20m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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23
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
runners
8.38km
00:53
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
runners
8.03km
00:50
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
7
riders
43.4km
03:03
310m
310m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
11
riders
42.2km
02:09
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
6
riders
33.1km
02:11
210m
210m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Proud Lake State Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The area also provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and trout fishing on the Huron River and Proud Lake. Over 20 routes are available on komoot for these sports.
Proud Lake State Recreation Area features over 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails. These trails wind through diverse landscapes, including woods, wetlands, and along the Huron River. For more details on hiking options, consult the Hiking in Proud Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Yes, Proud Lake State Recreation Area is a prominent destination for mountain biking, offering approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) of designated trails. Loops 3 and 4 are notable for their flowy singletrack, berms, rollers, climbs, and descents. These trails are generally considered intermediate but are also suitable for green-level riders, as detailed in the MTB Trails in Proud Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Proud Lake State Recreation Area offers trails suitable for families, with many routes featuring minimal elevation changes. The Marsh Trail, a 1.25-mile (2 km) loop, is an example of an easy-going option. For specific family-friendly routes, refer to the Family-friendly hikes in Proud Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Proud Lake State Recreation Area generally allows dogs on its trails, but visitors should always check specific park regulations. To find suitable routes for you and your canine companion, explore the Dog-friendly hikes in Proud Lake State Recreation Area guide.
The recreation area is characterized by diverse landscapes shaped by glaciers, including rolling hills, dense hardwood forests, and expansive wetlands. Key natural features include the scenic Huron River, which is a Type I trout stream, and Proud Lake, along with smaller bodies of water like Moss Lake. Elevated boardwalks traverse river marshes, offering unique views.
Routes in Proud Lake State Recreation Area have an average rating of 4.51 stars on komoot, based on over 400 ratings. More than 6,000 visitors have explored the area using komoot. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
While Proud Lake State Recreation Area primarily features paved roads for vehicle access within its boundaries, these can be used for road cycling. A connector trail also links the park to Kensington Metropark's paved biking path network. For more information, see the Road Cycling Routes in Proud Lake State Recreation Area guide.
The Marsh Trail is a 1.25-mile (2 km) loop trail within Proud Lake State Recreation Area. It encircles a glacial lake filled with sediment, providing a unique ecological experience. This trail is known for its easy-going nature and scenic views of the wetlands.
The official website for Proud Lake State Recreation Area is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website. For direct inquiries, the park office can be reached by phone at +1-248-685-2433.
Komoot offers several guides for Proud Lake State Recreation Area, covering various activities. These include guides for Hiking, MTB Trails, Road Cycling Routes, and Running Trails. There are also specialized guides for easy, family-friendly, and dog-friendly hikes.

