Gran Torino Retreat · Iosco County
Things to do near Long Lake in Hale, Michigan
Lake beaches, the Au Sable River, Huron National Forest and Lake Huron, with every drive time measured from the lake.
Community amenities
Long Lake and the township
Northeast Lower Michigan, between the Au Sable River and Lake Huron. The exact address arrives with your booking. Times are Google Maps typical traffic on a weekday morning, measured from the lake.
Long Lake
487 acres and 62 feet deep, per the Michigan DNR. The state stocks it with walleye, most recently in June 2026.
Long Lake Park
A Plainfield Township beach and picnic area beside the DNR boat ramp at the east end of the lake. 4 minutes.
Loon Lake Park
A small township swim beach on the next lake over, plus the 12-acre Loon Lake Nature Park with walking trails. 6 minutes.
Hale
Groceries, a hardware store, a pharmacy, a cafe and a family medicine clinic, about 10 minutes away.
Huron National Forest
Covers much of the township, with miles of snowmobile and ORV trails. DNR snowmobile trail LP 6 passes about 2 miles from the lake.
The map
Places near Long Lake
Through the year
Summer
June to August
Highs 76 to 81°F
Dock and kayak season. The Iosco County Fair runs at the Hale fairgrounds, 8 minutes away, and the AuSable River Canoe Marathon finishes in Oscoda.
Fall
September to November
Highs 71°F falling to 44°F
Peak color in northern Lower Michigan usually lands in early to mid October. The River Road Scenic Byway along the Au Sable is 15 to 30 minutes away.
Winter
December to February
Highs 28 to 34°F
Snowmobiling on trail LP 6 and cross-country skiing at Rifle River. The sauna, hot tub and cold plunge stay open.
Spring
March to May
Highs 41°F rising to 66°F
Maple season. Britt Family Pure Maple Syrup, about 22 minutes away, welcomes visitors in syrup season if you call ahead.
Getting here
Drive times to Long Lake
From the cities
Bay City
1 hr 10 to 1 hr 30 min
Saginaw
1 hr 20 to 1 hr 40 min
Flint
1 hr 50 to 2 hr 10 min
Traverse City
2 hr to 2 hr 30 min
Lansing
2 hr 30 to 3 hr
Ann Arbor
2 hr 30 to 3 hr
Detroit
2 hr 40 to 3 hr 10 min
Grand Rapids
3 hr to 3 hr 50 min
Toledo
3 hr 20 to 4 hr
Chicago
5 hr 30 to 6 hr 50 min
From the airports
MBS International (Saginaw, Midland, Bay City)
1 hr 20 to 1 hr 40 min
Alpena (APN)
1 hr 10 min
Flint Bishop (FNT)
1 hr 50 to 2 hr 10 min
Traverse City (TVC)
2 hr to 2 hr 20 min
Detroit Metro (DTW)
2 hr 50 to 3 hr 20 min
Stay at Gran Torino Retreat
Sleeps 10 on Long Lake. Book straight with Nicole.