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Island Lake Recreation Area - Lantern Hike
Island Lake Recreation Area - Lantern Hike
Experience the magic of winter at Island Lake Recreation Area. In partnership with the Friends of Island Lake, we invite you to join our evening lantern hikes. Follow a glow of solar lanterns along a scenic 1.5-mile loop near Kent Lake for a peaceful, self-guided stroll through the woods.
To keep you cozy, we’ll have a hot beverage truck on-site and two roaring fire pits: one at the trailhead and another at the halfway point. Restrooms are available for your convenience.
- The event is free. All you need is a Recreation Passport for vehicle entry.
- Leashed dogs are welcome!
- Note: Please check for weather-related cancellations before heading out.
Whether you're here for the winter lights or the summer beaches, Island Lake remains a year-round destination for those who love the outdoors.
Volunteers
Our lantern hikes wouldn't be possible without our amazing volunteers. It’s a fun, simple way to give back: help us hang the lanterns to light the path, assist with take-down, or greet guests as they arrive at the trailhead. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we’ll share sign-up links as each date approaches. We’d love to have you involved!
Want to represent your group? If your organization or business is interested in sponsoring a specific date and helping us host, we’d love to feature you as an official co-host!
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Start: January 08, 2026 7:00 PM
End: January 08, 2026 9:00 PM
Experience the magic of winter at Island Lake Recreation Area. In partnership with the Friends of Island Lake, we invite you to join our evening lantern hikes. Follow a glow of solar lanterns along a scenic 1.5-mile loop near Kent Lake for a peaceful, self-guided stroll through the woods.
To keep you cozy, we’ll have a hot beverage truck on-site and two roaring fire pits: one at the trailhead and another at the halfway point. Restrooms are available for your convenience.
- The event is free. All you need is a Recreation Passport for vehicle entry.
- Leashed dogs are welcome!
- Note: Please check for weather-related cancellations before heading out.
Whether you're here for the winter lights or the summer beaches, Island Lake remains a year-round destination for those who love the outdoors.
Volunteers
Our lantern hikes wouldn't be possible without our amazing volunteers. It’s a fun, simple way to give back: help us hang the lanterns to light the path, assist with take-down, or greet guests as they arrive at the trailhead. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we’ll share sign-up links as each date approaches. We’d love to have you involved!
Want to represent your group? If your organization or business is interested in sponsoring a specific date and helping us host, we’d love to feature you as an official co-host!
Subscribe to Inside Michigan's Great Outdoors newsletter