Contact Information
7800 Gale Rd.
Waterford, MI 48327
248-666-1020
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area is a mixture of marshes, ponds, heavy forests, old farm fields, river bottom and lakes. The mixed habitat supports a wide variety of animals including rabbits, squirrel, woodland grouse, woodcock, ducks, geese, raccoon, white-tailed deer and numerous bird species. The park is located near the urban areas of southeast Michigan and is easily accessible by the major highways: I-75, I-96, US-24 and M-59. A range of outdoor recreations satisfy many tastes, ages, and abilities.
The park contains three campgrounds. The modern campground features 176 campsites, picnic tables, electric hookup and modern bathhouses. The campground is open from May 1 to November 1. Facilities at the equestrian staging area and campground are limited to vault toilets and a hand pump well for water. The organization campground is a rustic campground without modern facilities. It is available for youth group use.
Day use facilities located on Pontiac Lake provide park visitors with a ball field, nearly a mile of beach, concession stand, boat launch, changing house, picnic area, and picnic shelters. Picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis or they can be reserved. Hay rides, sunset rides and pony rides are also available.
Miles of designated hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails (including horse rental) are offered. The 11-mile mountain bike trail has been ranked as one of the Top 100 Trails in the United States. A 1.9-mile hiking trail runs from the campground to the beach area. Horse trails extend over 17 miles.
For anglers, Pontiac Lake offers excellent fishing for bass, pike and pan fish. Boats are available at private liveries along the lake. Boaters enjoy the lake for cruising, water-skiing and tubing.
The mixed habitat supports a wide variety of game animals. Hunters harvest rabbit, squirrel, woodland grouse, woodcock, ducks, geese, raccoon and white-tailed deer. Bird watchers find the same woods, fields, and bodies of water excellent for birding.
The park is open for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, although there are no established trails or areas for these activities. Snowmobiling within the park is allowed when there are 4" of snow or more.
A supervised rifle range with a 25/50/100 yard rifle, pistol and blackpowder range is available for use by park visitors. There is also a shotgun range and an archery range.
The park is located near the urban areas of southeast Michigan and is easily accessible by the major highways: I-75, I-96, US-24 and M-59. The Pontiac Silver Dome is only 15 minutes away. Detroit's convention and cultural centers, Dearborn's Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, are only 45 minutes from the park. Some of the state and county institutes of learning are easily accessed from Pontiac Lake Recreation Area including University of Detroit, Oakland University, Colombiere Center, Oakland Community College, and Wayne State University.
The park offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, target practice, boating, horseback riding, swimming, and a variety of winter sports.
Southeast Michigan is the warmest region in the state with summer temperatures averaging 70 degrees F (above 21 degrees C) but it is not infrequent for days to reach the high 80s. Winter temperatures are warmer as well with averages hovering just below freezing. Yearly moisture amounts range between 18 - 32 inches.
