Lake Orion, MI Parks & Trails: 2026 Guide for Buyers

Lake Orion, Michigan is surrounded by public land: the roughly 4,600-acre Bald Mountain Recreation Area, the 916-acre Orion Oaks County Park, and two rail-trails, the Paint Creek Trail and the Polly Ann Trail, both of which allow horseback riding on their Orion sections. Orion Township reports more than 4,200 acres of parks and open space and 42 lakes larger than five acres.

For buyers, that means you can live on a quiet street or a few acres and still be minutes from hiking, mountain biking, swimming beaches and trails that run all the way to Rochester. Here is a practical guide to the outdoor spaces that shape everyday life in Lake Orion and Orion Township.

What is there to do at Bald Mountain Recreation Area?

Bald Mountain is a Michigan DNR state recreation area of about 4,600 acres, with its main entrance on S. Lapeer Road in Orion Township. Highlights include:

• 15 miles of marked hiking trails. North Unit trails are hilly, and South Unit trails are mostly flat.
• Year-round mountain biking.
• Swimming at a buoyed beach with a beach house in the day-use area.
• Fishing on Lower Trout, East and West Graham and Prince lakes for panfish, northern pike and largemouth bass.
• A shooting range for archery, clay target, rifle and pistol (separate fees apply).
• Winter use, including groomed cross-country ski trails in the North Unit, snowmobile trails in the south end and disc golf.
• Two rustic cabins, Arrowroot and Morel, each sleeping up to 20.

A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.

What does Orion Oaks County Park offer?

Orion Oaks is an Oakland County park of 916 acres off Joslyn and W. Clarkston roads. It has about 10 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, a fishing pier and a launch for non-motorized boats on Lake Sixteen, and a standout amenity for dog owners: a 24-acre off-leash dog park with fenced areas, trails, a pavilion and modern restrooms. Orion Township describes it as the county's largest dog park.

Which trails run through Lake Orion, and can you ride horses on them?

Two long-distance rail-trails start in Orion, which makes the area appealing for walkers, cyclists and riders alike.

Paint Creek Trail. The developed trail runs 8.9 miles from Atwater Street in the Village of Lake Orion south to Rochester Municipal Park, passing through Orion Township, Oakland Township and Rochester Hills. About 98% of it is crushed limestone. Horses are allowed from Dutton Road north to Atwater Street in Lake Orion, roughly 7 miles, but not in the Rochester or Rochester Hills sections.

Polly Ann Trail. The Oakland County portion runs 16.9 miles from Orion Township north through Oxford Township, the Village of Oxford, Addison Township and the Village of Leonard to the Lapeer County line, then continues about 20 more miles into Lapeer County. Horses are welcome at a walk, and pedestrians yield to horses. Orion Township's Civic Center Park has a Polly Ann trailhead.

If you are shopping for a horse property, trail access is a real plus. Orion Township's zoning ordinance sets minimum parcel sizes, fencing rules and 70-foot setbacks for stables, pasture and manure storage, and those rules depend on the zoning district. Confirm the zoning of any property with the township before you buy. Our guide to buying acreage or horse property in nearby Oxford covers many of the same questions.

What township parks are in Orion Township?

• Friendship Park (about 135 acres) has sports fields, play structures, a catch-and-release pond, an accessible playscape, the Miracle Field accessible ballfield, the historic Howarth School House and a 2.1-mile loop trail.
• Camp Agawam (about 140 acres) offers swimming and catch-and-release fishing on Tommy's Lake, rustic campsites, cabins, lodges and an accessible trail to a fishing dock.
• Civic Center Park has athletic fields, a pavilion, a Polly Ann trailhead and the Wildwood Amphitheater, which hosts free summer concerts.
• Jesse Decker Park offers picnic pavilions and athletic fields.

Where can you get on the water in the Village of Lake Orion?

Lake Orion itself is about 80 feet deep at its deepest point, dotted with several small islands, and is described by the downtown development authority as the eighth-largest lake in Oakland County. There is a DNR public boat launch on the north side.

In the village, Green's Park is a 2-acre park off M-24 with about 560 feet of frontage on Lake Orion, a designated swim area, kayak and paddleboard rentals and seasonal docks. Entry uses daily or seasonal passes sold at the village office. Smaller village parks, including Children's Park and Meek's Park, sit along Paint Creek near downtown.

If lake living is the goal, start with our guides to Lake Orion's all-sports lakes and buying a lakefront home in Lake Orion.

How do parks and trails affect home buying in Lake Orion?

Proximity to a trailhead, a state recreation area or lake access is something many buyers ask about. A few tips:

1. Map your daily routine. Check drive or bike time to Bald Mountain, Orion Oaks or the nearest trailhead from each home you tour.
2. Look at what borders the lot. Homes backing to preserved land or a pond offer privacy, but confirm what is actually protected versus privately owned.
3. Check lake access rules. Deeded access, association access and public launches are very different. Get it in writing.
4. For horses, verify zoning first. Acreage alone does not guarantee you can keep animals.

Leila Modetz, an eXp Realty realtor based in Oxford, specializes in lakefront, acreage and equestrian homes across Lake Orion, Oxford and northern Oakland County. Browse current homes and recent sales on our Lake Orion area page.

Selling or moving from out of state?

If you own a home and want to move closer to the trails, start with a free home value estimate and see how we market and sell homes. Relocating to Michigan? Our out-of-state relocation guide can help.

FAQ: Lake Orion, MI parks and trails

How big is Bald Mountain Recreation Area?

Bald Mountain Recreation Area covers about 4,600 acres in Orion Township and is managed by the Michigan DNR. It offers 15 miles of marked hiking trails, year-round mountain biking, a swimming beach, fishing lakes, a shooting range, rustic cabins and winter cross-country skiing. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.

Is there a dog park in Lake Orion?

Yes. Orion Oaks County Park has a 24-acre off-leash dog park with fenced areas, trails, a picnic pavilion and modern restrooms. Orion Township describes it as the largest dog park in Oakland County. The 916-acre park also has about 10 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails and a fishing pier on Lake Sixteen.

Can you ride horses on the Paint Creek Trail?

Yes, on part of it. Horses are allowed from Dutton Road north to Atwater Street in Lake Orion, roughly seven miles of the trail. Horses are not permitted in the Rochester or Rochester Hills sections. The trail is mostly crushed limestone and runs 8.9 miles from Lake Orion to Rochester Municipal Park.

How long is the Polly Ann Trail?

The Oakland County section of the Polly Ann Trail runs 16.9 miles from Orion Township to the Lapeer County line, passing through Oxford Township, the Village of Oxford, Addison Township and Leonard. It continues about 20 more miles in Lapeer County. Horses are allowed at a walk, and the trail is open during daylight hours.

Is there a public beach on Lake Orion?

Green's Park in the Village of Lake Orion is a 2-acre park with about 560 feet of frontage on the lake and a designated swim area. Entry requires a daily or seasonal pass sold at the village office. There is also a DNR public boat launch on the north side of the lake.

Can I keep horses on my property in Orion Township?

It depends on the property's zoning district and size. Orion Township's zoning ordinance sets minimum parcel sizes, fencing requirements and 70-foot setbacks for stables, pasture and manure storage. Before buying, confirm the zoning with the township and have your realtor review the rules for that specific parcel.

Want to find a home close to the trails or on the water? Contact Leila for a relaxed conversation about what you are looking for in Lake Orion.

Sources

• Michigan DNR - Bald Mountain Recreation Area
• Orion Township - Parks
• Orion Township - Community
• Oakland County Parks - Orion Oaks
• Paint Creek Trail FAQ
• Polly Ann Trail - About
• Polly Ann Trail - Rules
• Orion Parks & Rec facilities
• Village of Lake Orion - Green's Park
• Downtown Lake Orion DDA - Parks
• Downtown Lake Orion DDA - The Lake
• Orion Township Zoning Ordinance Sec. 5