07-18-2002, 01:56 PM
<b>Brighton Recreation Area (Appleton Lake, Bishop Lake, Chilson)<br></b><br><br><IMG SRC="http://www.michigandnr.com/images/RecreationCamping/parkphotos/brighton.gif"><br><br>Brighton Recreation Area provides 4,947 acres of recreation for park visitors to use. The area has a combination of high, irregular ranges of hills, interspersed with a number of attractive lakes. Oak forest, thick hedgerows and open spaces blend on the uplands while grassy marshes, shrub masses and dense swamp timber mark the lowlands. <br><br>Camping and Day Use Brighton Recreation Area has a 140 site modern campground located at Bishop Lake and offers electrical hookups at each site and a modern restroom/shower building. There are two rustic campgrounds with 25 sites each, one located at Appleton Lake and the other at Murray Lake. For those who enjoy horseback riding, the park offers a horsemen's rustic campground with 25 sites. The park also has an organizational youth campground. For Day use, the park has two picnic areas, one at Bishop Lake and one at Chilson Pond. Vending machines and play areas are available at both. Bishop has a swim area and Chilson has four picnic shelters available for reservation.<br><br>Cabins Brighton Recreation Area has seven cabins available for reservation. Three are frontier cabins with a capacity of 12-20 visitors. Four are family cabins with a capacity of 8 each. Reservations can be made by contacting the park. <br><br>Boating and Fishing The park has easy access to many lakes for fishing and boating enjoyment. <br><br>Equestrian Information Brighton Recreation Area features full equestrian facilities, including a riding stable, rustic campground, a staging area, and 18 miles of bridle trails. <br><br>Winter Activities The park provides cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails, as well as opportunities for ice fishing and skating. Wildlife is abundant in the park and hunting is allowed during legal seasons. <br><br>Hunting Brighton Recreation Area is open to hunting for all species following regular State Regulations between September 15 and March 31, with the following exceptions: <br><br>There is no summer hunting in parks or recreation areas. Hunters are welcome for early goose season in Southeast Michigan parks and recreation areas on September 1 but there are restrictions as far as open areas. Please call ahead for specifics. Turkey hunting will be allowed with a permit during the appropriate season. <br><br>This park boasts excellent deer and rabbit hunting, while great hunting opportunities exist for woodcock, duck, goose, and squirrel as well. The park is also open to trapping. <br><br>The terrain is a mixture of rolling hills, open brush land and mature hardwood forest with some pockets of open meadows. <br><br>Off-road vehicle (ORV) use is prohibited in park and recreation areas, including for the retrieval of game. All users are reminded that private property is interspersed within many of the park and recreation area properties. It is the responsibility of all users to determine where they are and to stay off private property. <br><br>State Park and Recreation Area lands are used by a variety of users engaged in differing activities. The property and its use are shared resources. Please respect everyone's use of the land. <br><br><br>Trail Information Besides the bridle trail, Brighton Recreation Area offers two hiking trails. These trails are designed to provide an opportunity to walk into the more remote parts of the park with a minimum of inconvenience. The KAHCHIN TRAIL meaning "short" in the Chippewa language is 2 miles long. The PENOSHA TRAIL meaning "long" in the Chippewa language is 5 miles long. The park offers two mountain bike trails. The TORN SHIRT MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL is 5.1 miles long. This trail has slow, steep uphill curves, is very wooded and narrow and is designed for the most advanced riders. The MURRAY LAKE TRAIL is 7 to 9 miles long. The trail has high, irregular hills, interspersed with lakes, forest, and grassy marshes. It provides a moderate ride with lots to see and enjoy. <br><br>Location Take I-96 to exit 147 at Brighton. Go west approximately 6 miles to Chilson Road, and drive south 11/2 miles to Bishop Lake Road to park. <br> <br> <br> Brighton Lake- Modern - (800) 447-2757, 140 site(s), $15.00, Toilets/Electricity, Electricity Only <br> Brighton- Equestrian - , 19 site(s), $13.00 <br> Brighton Appleton Lake- Rustic - (800) 447-2757, 25 site(s), $9.00, Rustic Site, Rustic Cabins Year Round <br> Brighton- Organization - (810) 229-6566, $0.00, Organization Camp for Non Profit use <br> <br><br><br><A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> <br>For Kids Sake <br>Recycle your old Equipment<br>Dave