Lake Michigan Recreation Area, at the northern edge of Mason County, has beaches, viewing platforms, hiking and biking trails, camping and picnic areas. There are about 4 miles of trail here, or you can walk south into Nordhouse Dunes and hike many miles there too. The Recreation Area is within the Manistee National Forest.

Turn west off of US 31 at Forest Road 5629. (11.5 miles north of Scottville at the Forest Trail Service Center) Continue on this paved and curving road to the end, which you will reach in 8 miles.

There is a $3/day or $20/year fee to park at this developed site within the Manistee National Forest. There is a self-pay station at the Parking Area. Minimum distance required to get the answer to the question is 1.5 miles. The questions are listed on the entry form, and the question for this hike is on the printable information sheet. From the parking area at the picnic grounds walk into the circular drive just closer to the lake. If you picture your entry point in this circle at 6 o'clock, you will find where the Porter Creek Trail leaves the circle at 9 o'clock. It is marked with a brown post with a sign for bikes and an arrow. It is a multi-purpose trail, for hiking as well.

The map below appears on the printable version, and should be adequate for this short hike. Free paper maps of the area are available from the Baldwin (231-745-4631) or Manistee (231-723-2211) Ranger Districts. More info can also be found on Mason County Trails