It is located in north Oakland County, 14 miles (23 km) west of Pontiac.

[1] The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), which owns and operates Highland, describes the recreation area as a parcel of forest, wetland, and kettle lakes primarily operated for light camping and drive-in/drive-out recreational day use.

45 miles (72 km) of trails in the recreation area are designated for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian sports.

[1] West of Duck Lake Road in Highland State Recreation Area, a group of small moraines are locally called "mountains"—the highest elevation in the park, Mount Kanzer, is 1,150 feet (350 m) above sea level.

South of Highland Road ( M-59) and east of Duck Lake Road lies the 721-acre (292 ha) Haven Hill Natural Area and National Natural Landmark, a component unit of the Highland Recreation Area.