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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Pinckney & Chelsea, Michigan
Pick lavender from a self-serve cart near Pinckney from late June, then hike the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail or bike the paved Lakelands Trail.
4 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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The lake country between Pinckney, Chelsea and Brighton is mostly public land: Pinckney and Waterloo recreation areas together cover more than 30,000 acres of glacial hills, kettle lakes and oak woods, and the Huron River threads through two Metroparks and a state recreation area. Small farms fill the gaps, from blueberry fields near Howell to pumpkin patches outside Pinckney.
Hamlett Lavender Farm on Stinchfield Woods Road, just south of Pinckney, is the closest lavender stop. In 2026 its self-serve you-pick cart opened June 28, with friendly chickens and ducks and a Lavender Shed you can shop by appointment. Hidden Spruce Lavender Farm near Leslie, about 40 minutes west, opens to the public on set dates and is closed for harvest after the bloom. Pair the lavender with a swim at Silver Lake, an hour on the paved Lakelands Trail or a farm-stop lunch in Chelsea.
The lavender farms
- Hamlett Lavender FarmLavender farm · Pinckney
Lavender Shed by appointment; a few simple events a year, including the Annual Lavender Extravaganza (June 27, 2026, 11 AM–4 PM, $10 per car) with U-pick and a Mother's Day Tea (May 9, 2026).
- Hidden Spruce Lavender FarmLavender farm · Leslie
Best time to visit
Lavender here runs from late June into summer: Hamlett's 2026 you-pick cart opened on June 28, and Michigan lavender usually peaks around mid-July. Blueberries follow at Hazen's near Howell from mid-July to late August, and the state-park beaches at Silver Lake, Bishop Lake and Kent Lake are busiest from Memorial Day to Labor Day (Kensington's beaches stay open through September 30). The Waterloo Farm Museum gives tours by appointment from May through November. Fall brings Schell Family Farm's pumpkins, apples and wagon rides from late September and Rex Young's Orchard from early September, and the oak hills of Pinckney and Waterloo are good walking through October. Hidden Spruce posts its public open days on its website and social pages.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Pinckney Recreation Area🌳 State park · Pinckney · about 3 mi, 10 min drive
About 11,000 acres of moraine hills and linked lakes with more than 40 miles of trail, including the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail loop, which starts at Silver Lake Beach. Silver Lake has a buoyed swim area, boat rentals and a fishing pier.
Open year-round; Halfmoon Lake day-use area closed November 1–April 1
Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry
- Hudson Mills Metropark🏞️ Park · Dexter · about 3 mi, 10 min drive
A Huron River park with a 3-mile paved hike-bike loop over two bridges and canoe and kayak trips that launch at Rapids View and float down to Dexter-Huron or Delhi. Dogs on a six-foot leash are allowed on the paved trail.
Daily 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
$10 daily or annual Metroparks vehicle pass
- Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park🥾 Trail · Pinckney · about 4 mi, 10 min drive
A 34-mile rail-trail between Hamburg Township and Jackson County; the stretch east of M-36 is paved, and the rest is compacted limestone. Trailheads include Pearl Street in Pinckney, Main Street in Gregory and M-52 in Stockbridge.
Year-round; ungroomed for skiing in winter
- Brighton Recreation Area🌳 State park · Howell · about 11 mi, 20 min drive
Nearly 5,000 acres with nine lakes, a swim beach and paddle rentals at Bishop Lake, a 35-mile trail system for riding, biking and hiking, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Pets are not allowed on the swim beach.
Open year-round
Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry
- Waterloo Recreation Area🌳 State park · Chelsea · about 13 mi, 20 min drive
The largest state park in the Lower Peninsula at more than 20,000 acres, with 11 inland lakes and the Eddy Discovery Center, whose exhibits cover the area's geology and habitats. A free track chair can be borrowed.
Open year-round; naturalist programs in summer and fall
Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry
- Waterloo Farm Museum🏛️ Museum · Grass Lake · about 16 mi, 25 min drive
A museum of 19th-century rural Michigan with an 1850s farmhouse, a Perkins windmill, a log cabin, a blacksmith shop with a working forge and a granary gift shop, run by the Waterloo Area Historical Society.
Tours by appointment, May–November
- Island Lake Recreation Area🌳 State park · Brighton · about 17 mi, 30 min drive
About 4,000 acres along the Huron River, a designated state Natural River, with swim areas on Kent Lake and Spring Mill Pond, a 4-mile paved path, the 5-mile Hickory Ridge hiking trail and mountain bike loops up to 9.1 miles.
Open year-round
Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry
- Kensington Metropark🏞️ Park · Milford · about 24 mi, 30 min drive
A 4,481-acre park around Kent Lake with a farm center of goats, sheep, cattle and draft horses, a nature center ringed by 7 miles of trail, and a nearly 12-mile paved hike-bike path.
Daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; beaches Memorial Day weekend–September 30, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (no lifeguards)
$10 daily or annual Metroparks vehicle pass
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Agricole Farm StopFarm market · Chelsea
A downtown Chelsea market of local produce, meat, dairy and bread that doubles as a coffee shop with a patio.
- Hazen's Blueberry FarmBlueberry farm · Howell
Pick blueberries from mid-July to late August, with baked goods and ice cream; closed Mondays.
- Schell Family FarmU-pick farm · Pinckney
A Pinckney family farm with pumpkins, apples, wagon rides, animals, cider and donuts from late September.
- Rex Young's OrchardApple orchard · Rives Junction
An orchard north of Jackson that opens each fall from early September for apples and seasonal treats.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMHamlett Lavender Farm
On a summer Saturday, enjoy the field, say hello to the chickens and pick a bundle from the self-serve cart. About an hour.
- 11:15 AMLakelands Trail, Pinckney trailhead · about 10 min drive
Walk or bike part of the paved section east of town. About an hour.
- 12:30 PMAgricole Farm Stop · about 20 min drive
Lunch and coffee from the local-food market on Main Street in Chelsea. About 45 minutes.
- 1:30 PMWaterloo Recreation Area – Eddy Discovery Center · about 15 min drive
See the geology and habitat exhibits and take a short lakeside walk. About an hour.
- 2:45 PMPinckney Recreation Area – Silver Lake · about 20 min drive
Swim at the buoyed beach or hike the first stretch of the Potawatomi Trail. About 1.5 hours.
- 4:30 PMHudson Mills Metropark · about 10 min drive
Walk or bike the 3-mile paved loop along the Huron River. About an hour.
- 5:45 PMHazen's Blueberry Farm · about 30 min drive
From mid-July to late August, pick blueberries before the 7 p.m. close and get an ice cream.
Tips
- One Michigan Recreation Passport covers Pinckney, Waterloo, Brighton and Island Lake; Hudson Mills and Kensington are Metroparks and need their own $10 vehicle pass.
- Hamlett's you-pick cart is self-serve: in 2026 it ran weekdays 4–6 p.m., and the farm also opens Saturday mornings, so check their website or social pages for current times and bring small bills.
- The Lakelands Trail is paved only east of M-36; west toward Gregory and Stockbridge it turns to crushed limestone, better for hybrid or mountain bikes.
- Kensington's beaches have no lifeguards, but free life jackets are available to borrow.
- Hidden Spruce closes to the public after bloom for harvest, so confirm its open dates before driving out to Leslie.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When can I pick lavender near Pinckney?
Hamlett Lavender Farm's self-serve you-pick opened June 28 in 2026 and runs while the lavender is in bloom, usually into July.
Is Hidden Spruce Lavender Farm open to visitors?
Only on set dates. The farm posts its open days and events on its website and social pages and closes to the public during harvest.
How long is the Potawatomi Trail?
It is a 17-mile loop in Pinckney Recreation Area that starts at Silver Lake Beach.
Do I need a pass for the state parks here?
Yes. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry at Pinckney, Waterloo, Brighton and Island Lake.
What else can I pick in summer near Pinckney?
Blueberries at Hazen's Blueberry Farm near Howell, typically mid-July to late August.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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