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, 1.2 Mile, 2.4 Mile, 5K, 10K or 15K — and have the time of your life swimming through Southeast Michigan’s 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 swim starts 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. 10K race participants start at Halfmoon Lake Beach, swim to the start of the 5K (where their “special needs” bags will be available), then turn around to head back to the shores of Halfmoon Lake Beach. The 15K race participants start on the shores of Patterson Lake at North Star Reach; from there, swimmers head south and east through the Hiland Chain of Lakes to Halfmoon Lake Beach where they will exit the water (where their "special needs" bags will be available), then head back to Patterson Lake Beach at North Star Reach where they will again, exit the water, access their special needs bags (if desired) and turn around to head back to Halfmoon Lake Beach for their finish. The .5 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. If you have a group, consider entering our team division! High School Coaches/Captains: Please contact info@epicraces.com 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.
Hotels Near This Race
Find accommodation close to the start line in Gregory, MI. Sorted by distance from the race venue. Book early — race weekend hotels fill fast.
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Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival 2026 — Gregory, MI
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for August 16.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Gregory, MI.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival 2026 — Gregory, MI?
Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival 2026 — Gregory, MI takes place on August 16, 2026. The race is held in Gregory, Michigan.
Where is Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival 2026 — Gregory, MI held?
Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival 2026 — Gregory, MI is held at Halfmoon Lake in Gregory, Michigan.
Where can I find hotels near Swim to the Moon Open Water Swim Festival 2026 — Gregory, MI?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Gregory. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
