Waterloo State Recreation Area
From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside
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Overview
Waterloo State Recreation Area is located in Southeast Michigan, between Chelsea and Jackson, just north of I-94. This park, like others in the area, is repurchased land in odd-shaped blocks, stringing together in over 32 square miles of public land stretching from Washtenaw County's Park Shelton South in the northeast to Jackson County's Portage Lake in the west. Waterloo contains the western part of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, with the eastern end located in Pinckney State Recreation Area.
Hunting is allowed throughout most of the park! Although problems are rare, if you are on the trails during hunting season, be sure to wear bright-colored clothes.
Activities
John Muir, founder of Sierra Club, considered the area which now makes up Waterloo State Recreation Area one of the best for observing raptors. The raptors here, and throughout much of North America, were nearly wiped out due to pollution, however they have been making an impressive comeback, with sightings of hawks and eagles common.
In additional to birdwatching, there is well over 100km of hiking trails through various terrains, numerous lakes, an interpretive center, and a large beach. Hiking is permitted on all trails. Horseback riding is allowed only in the central part of the park. Mountain biking is allowed only on the south central part of the park, and shares space with both hikers and horses.
The Discovery Center, located at 42°19′19″ N 84°5′13″ W and formerly called the Geology Center, is staffed with naturalists who are knowledgable about local plants, animals, and geology, and are also familiar with all trails in the park. Maps are available for all trails in the park.
Trails
Eastern Waterloo Hiking Trails
The eastern part of the park is dominated by the forest trails, occasionally crossing streams or skirting lakes. The trail is generally obvious, although trail signs are rare, outside of the immediate area around the Discovery Center.
The Discovery Center is the main focus of the park's hiking trails. With 14 miles of trail near the Discovery Center, ranging from forest to marsh to bog, and one of the oldest living trees in the state, there's plenty of variety of hiking trails here. For all Discovery Center trails, and all trails in the eastern part of the park, you can park at the Discovery center at 42°19′19″ N 84°5′13″ W
East of the Discovery Center, the Waterloo Pinckney Trail continues all the way to Park Shelton South. It continues from there through Park Shelton North and into Pinckney State Recreation Area. You can park at the Discovery Center, or park at Park Shelton South (but only during daylight hours) at 42°22′44″ N 84°3′38″ W.
Going west from the Discovery Center, you walk through an old, overgrown country club, complete with a now-forested golf course, arriving at Horseman's camp at 42°20′6″ N 84°7′49″ W. Horseman's camp marks the eastern extreme of the central part of the park. From here almost to Sackrider Hill 42°18′11″ N 84°12′27″ W, horses are allowed on the trail and, as a result, the trail is pretty churned up, composed of sandy (or muddy) gravel.
Central Waterloo Hiking/Horse Trails
The central part of the park begins at Horseman's camp at the eastern end and goes west to Sackrider Hill 42°18′11″ N 84°12′27″ W. The terrain through most of this part of the park is very hilly, with many steep hills and ridges, reminding me of Central Kentucky karst area. Horses are allowed on the trail and, as a result, the trail is pretty churned up, composed of sandy (or muddy) gravel. There's a lot of unmarked trail in the central area, although the major trails are all well marked via subway map-type signs at the major intersections. The map below is reasonable complete, as of the end of 2007.
Since horses don't mind walking through streams, there are a few stream fords in this section of the park. With only one exception, you can easily cross on logs, etc. The one major exception is on the far northern loop, but if you follow the trail marked "No horses", you'll cross over the top of a dam at Baldwin Flooding 42°19′43″ N 84°10′41″ Winstead.
Horses and humans don't always know how to get along, but with a little practice, there's no excuse for any real problems. Read this for more infomation.
Western Waterloo Hiking Trails
This is a very linear trail, which, although mostly unmarked, it's still pretty easy to follow the main trail. The eastern part of this trail, starting at Sackrider Hill 42°18′11″ N 84°12′27″ W, follows the crest of several ridges before going down into the forest, finally ending at the western end of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail at 42°20′01″ N 84°14′16″ W. Parking is available at both locations.
The only place which is not clearly marked is where the trail goes under high-voltage power lines at 42°19′21″ N 84°14′42″ W. The local utility seems to continuously clearcut and bulldoze a section about 20m across under these lines, obliterating any sign of trail. From either direction, cross straight across the cleared swath, turn left, and walk along the edge of the cleared area about 15m - 20m. The continuation of the trail will be clearly visible.
At the far west end of the trail, you come to Portage Lake Beach.
Official Web Site
Michigan DNR Waterloo State Recreation Area Web site
View/download official trail map
Fees
A Michigan State Park permit is required. Annual permits, as of 2008, cost $24 and are available from any ranger. Daily permits are $6. Both are good in any Michigan State Park. If you don't find a ranger, your car may be ticketed, but the cost of the ticket is the same as the cost of a permit, daily or annual, your choice, with annuals mailed to you.
