Highland Recreation Area: Historic Haven Hill Trail

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Highland Recreation Area: Historic Haven Hill Trail

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Trail Details

County

Oakland

Regions

Southeast

Latitude

N 42° 38' 57.12"

Longitude

W 083° 32' 40.56"

Distance

1.4-miles round-trip

Trail Type

Short hike

Terrain

Haven Hill, Ford lodge ruins

Difficulty

Moderate

Nearest City or Town

White Lake

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To view the ruins of the Ford estate, follow the former entrance drive up Haven Hill. The road is closed to traffic just beyond the park maintenance buildings and parking is not now allowed at the gate.You can usea bicycle to reach the top of Haven Hill but the end of the entrance drive is incredible steep and most people end up walking their bikes to reach post No. 7. Thus, a round-trip hike of 1.4 miles is required from the Circle Parking Lot to the top of the hill to view the ruins.The best time to search for the tennis courts, that featured clay imported from France, pool and the toboggan run is late October or early November after the leaves had dropped and visibility improves on th ...

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Description

To view the ruins of the Ford estate, follow the former entrance drive up Haven Hill. The road is closed to traffic just beyond the park maintenance buildings and parking is not now allowed at the gate.

You can use a bicycle to reach the top of Haven Hill but the end of the entrance drive is incredible steep and most people end up walking their bikes to reach post No. 7. Thus, a round-trip hike of 1.4 miles is required from the Circle Parking Lot to the top of the hill to view the ruins.

The best time to search for the tennis courts, that featured clay imported from France, pool and the toboggan run is late October or early November after the leaves had dropped and visibility improves on the heavily forested hillside.

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Amenities & Services

Camping

Difficulty - Moderate

Dog Friendly

Multi-use Trail

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Trail Guide

Begin at Circle Parking Lot where there is vault toilets but no source of drinking water. Head west along the paved maintenance drive to reach a locked gate within quarter mile. After walking around the gate, it’s a bit of a climb to post No. 7 at the end but well worth the view of the Carriage House. This impressive log lodge, designed as a smaller replica of the main lodge, is still standing perched on the edge of the hill and use to house Ford’s caretaker and his automobiles.

A little further up the hill is the foundation of the sprawling Haven Hill Lodge, reminiscent of ancient Roman or Greek ruins with one of the five massive Vermont fireplaces still standing. Foot trails lead down the ridge to what remains of the pool, tennis courts and toboggan run.

Foliage now blocks much of the view on top but at the time Ford built his estate he enjoyed a 360-degree view that included Haven Hill Lake and many of the other lakes and forested ridges in the surrounding area.

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Facilities

The day-use area at Teeple Lake features a beach and designated swimming area, boat launch on the lake, picnic area and a rental shelter. At the Goose Meadow, on the shores of Haven Hill Lake, there is a picnic area with a shelter, toilets and drinking water. Scattered throughout the old pine plantation of Dodge Park No.10 are picnic tables and a shelter. This day-use area is a picturesque spot overlooking Pickerel Lake.

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Hours & Fees

There is a vehicle entry fee at Highland Recreation Area, which is open year-round.

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Directions

The park drive through Haven Hill Natural Area to Teeple Lake and Goose Meadow is reached from M-59 (Highland Road) 15 miles west of Pontiac. Also providing access into the recreation area further west along M-59 is Duck Lake Road, from which Lower Pettibone and Beaumont roads are reached by turning west onto Livingston Road.

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Information

For more information contact Highland Recreation Area (248-889-3750; www.michigan.gov/highland) or Friends of Highland Recreation Area.

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Highland Recreation Area: Historic Haven Hill Trail

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