Ortonville State Recreation Area: Pinnacle Point and Other Hills of Interest.
Ortonville State Recreation Area in Ortonville, Michigan, is nestled among what is known to locals as the “Hadley Hills.” This park spans over 5000 acres, with numerous activities within its boundaries. Every season fills this park with visitors enjoying a variety of outdoor sports. The DNR website has a map that indicates which activities are available in each area.
Hiking and Riding Trails (Bikes, Horses, Snowmobiles)
The Bloomer Unit of Ortonville State Recreation Area on State Park Road offers hiking, skiing, and biking trails. This is a 2.5-mile loop with lots of hills and beautiful scenery. We heard a Pileated Woodpecker there but didn’t get a glimpse – maybe next time. Several inches of fresh snow fell right before our walk, and the views were stunning. The hills were a bit more challenging in the snow, and trees and shrubs bent across the trail in many places.
The drive to this parking area was just as beautiful as the park. We saw turkeys among the hills and trees. The road was plowed, but our front-wheel-drive vehicle barely made it through the snowy road. The driveway and parking lot were not plowed, so be aware of that when visiting in the winter.
The Equestrian Campground and the Equestrian Staging Area, which are part of the Ortonville State Recreation Area, have trails for horses and snowmobiles. Many people also use these same hiking trails that add up to about 10 miles. Pinnacle Point is part of this trail system and is a popular destination for hikers and riders alike. You can read a fascinating history of Pinnacle Point on the equestrian webpage for the area. Scroll about halfway down the page. Michigan’s history is full of surprising stories. Our last walk to Pinnacle Point was muddy and hard to navigate without waterproof footwear.
Shooting Range
The Ortonville State Recreation Area Shooting Range is run by the DNR staff, who are friendly and knowledgeable. Our family has used this particular range several times and has always had a good experience. The range has several sections for pistols, long guns, and archery. There is a modern restroom available in this area for your convenience. See the website for fees and hours.
Equestrian Campground
We aren’t horse owners and haven’t used this area of Ortonville State Recreation Area, but we have walked through or parked in this section to access Pinnacle Point. There are new paddocks and hitching posts in the campground. For more information about the equestrian areas, please see the equestrian website.
Day Use Area
We haven’t been to the Ortonville State Recreation Area Day Use Area yet. We enjoy the trails and hiking, but this is on our list to visit this summer. This area has bathrooms, a beach, fishing access, a playground, and picnic shelters. Once we have visited this area, we will update our post.