Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival

What is Swim to the Moon?

Swim to the Moon is an extraordinary open-water swimming adventure through the picturesque Hiland Chain of Lakes near Hell, Michigan. Choose your distance .5 Mile, 1 Mile, 1.2 Mile, 2.4 Mile, 5K, 10K or 15K and have the time of your life swimming through Southeast Michigans most sublime waterways, all the while showing support for a very worthy cause: North Star Reach, a camp for children with life-threatening, serious, and chronic medical conditions.

The 5K and 15K swims start on the shores of Patterson Lake at North Star Reach; from there, swimmers head south and east through the heavily forested Pinckney Recreation Area, passing through five lakes along the way. Scattered cottages are the only signs of civilization. The 5K will finish once they reach Halfmoon Lake Beach, while the 15K swimmers will head back to North Star Reach on Patterson Lake, then back to Halfmoon Lake Beach again to finish! 10K race participants start at Halfmoon Lake Beach, swim to the start of the 15K/5K (where their special needs bags will be available), then turn around to head back to the shores of Halfmoon Lake Beach. The .5 Mile, 1 Mile, 1.2 mile, and 2.4 Mile swims start at Halfmoon Lake Beach. All events finish at the state beach on the east shore of Halfmoon Lake.

Please note that Swim to the Moon is for individual athletes. If you have a group, consider entering our team division! High School Coaches/Captains: Please contact [email protected] for a special group discount for your team!

This race is sanctioned by USMS. The USMS $20 one-event fee is built into the price. If you are an annual member of USMS, $20 will be deducted from your race entry.