Get Outdoors and Check Out Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Metro Detroit

In all, the 13 Metroparks have 25,000 acres of woods, water, and recreational facilities and “are one of the nation’s premier regional park systems,” open 365 days a year.

Each park offers a variety of hiking trails, biking trails, playgrounds, and more, but some of the parks feature more unique activities like beaches, golfing, waterparks, boating, and a farm.

An annual vehicle pass is $40 for residents and $45 for non-residents, and a daily fee is $10 per vehicle if you don’t have an annual pass. Boat passes are also available, and there are discounts for seniors.

Below you’ll find a breakdown of each Metropark with some of the unique things it offers.

Delhi Metropark – 3902 E. Delhi Rd. in Ann Arbor

Delhi Metropark is located along the Huron River northwest of Ann Arbor with miles of trails and a great place to kayak.

On top of that, there are kayaking, canoeing, and tubing rips that start at either Hudson Mills Metropark or Dexter-Huron Metropark and end at Delhi.

Dexter-Huron Metropark – 6535 Huron River Dr. in Dexter

The Dexter-Huron Metropark is another park located along the beautiful Huron River. It’s a great spot to grab a kayak, canoe, or tube and head down the river to the Delhi Metropark.

Trips last between 2-3 hours depending on river conditions for tubing, and 1-2 hours for kayaking and canoes.

Finally, there is a labyrinth that was installed in 2008 by a local girl scout troop, and you can explore the stone path designed in a labyrinth.

Hudson Mills Metropark – 8801 N. Territorial Rd. in Dexter

Hudson Mills has a variety of offerings at the large Metropark also located along the Huron River. For those looking to get active and play sports, there are four softball courts, volleyball courts, soccer fields, a basketball court, and a shuffleboard court.

In the winter, there is cross-country skiing along the beautiful trails.

There is also an 18-hole, par-71 golf course and two 24-hole disc golf courses for those who want to hit the links or throw some discs.

Huron Meadows Metropark – 8765 Hammel Rd. in Brighton

In the western part of metro Detroit, Huron Meadows Meadows Metropark has a variety of activities for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.

In the middle of the Metropark is Maltby Lake, which has trails around it for hiking or cross-country skiing, and a beautiful pier for people to fish.

Also, you can practice your golf game at the par-72 course that peaks at just over 6,600 yards with food and drinks available.

Huron Meadows Metropark, @lisapaigeski

Indian Springs Metropark – 5200 Indian Trail in White Lake

Indian Springs may not be as big as some of the parks, but it still packs a punch.

It also features an 18-hole golf course, but on top of that, there is a rock-climbing wall, cargo net, fenced maze, hillside slide, and a splash pad for the kids.

In the winter, there is sledding and cross-country skiing, and the park also features a 25-mile equestrian trail loop.

Indian Springs Metropark, @db_run4life_

Kensington Metropark – 450 Huron River Parkway in Milford

At nearly 4,500 acres, Kensington Metropark is just off I-96 and features the massive Kent Lake in the middle of the park.

On Kent Lake, you can take a beautiful cruise on the Island Queen III, a 46-passenger pontoon boat that shows you a beautiful look at the park. During the charter, you can see the birds near the lake and even an occasional osprey, according to the park’s website.

For those looking to get more of an exhilarating ride, there are two 240-foot twisted water slides, and a spray ground for kids with palm trees, serpents, and cannons that spray water.

There’s a farm where you can get up close to chickens, goats, sheep, cattle, and horses, with weekend hayrides available.

Finally, Kensington has two disc golf courses, one of which has been the site of professional events, and an 18-hole golf course with open fairways and fast greens.

Kensington Metropark, @mark_o_foto

Lake Erie Metropark – 32481 W. Jefferson Ave. in Brownstown Township

Located along one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie Metropark sits on the shore of Lake Erie with 1,607 acres of views.

On top of paved trails for hiking and biking, the park offers a marshland museum where you can see the cultural history of the Downriver and Lake Erie area.

This Metropark also offers a golf course and a marina if you want to keep a boat there.

One unique opportunity to have fun is at the Great Wave Pool, which is closed for repairs during the 2022 season.

Lake St. Clair Metropark – 31300 Metro Parkway in Harrison Township

This Metropark sits on beautiful Lake St. Clair in Macomb County, with a massive 600-foot sandy beach stretching along the lake.

If you want to try something new, Daysail offers a place to kiteboard on the lake.

Many of the Metroparks have some form of golf, but at Lake St. Clair, you’ll find a par-3 golf course that is also used as a FootGolf course, where you swap a golf ball and golf club for a soccer ball and your foot.

In the winter, you can try ice skating and ice hockey, along with cross-country skiing.

Lake St. Clair Metropark, @mimichiganphotos

Lower Huron Metropark – 40151 E. Huron River Dr. in Belleville

Lower Huron is one of three Metroparks that are near each other, and it includes access to the Huron River and nearly 1,300 acres of enjoyment.

The main attraction in the summer is the Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center, which features a pool, two waterslides, a 300-gallon dumping bucket, and a lazy river for those who want to enjoy the sun, the water, and the ride.

There are also a variety of places to play sports, including basketball courts, softball diamonds, a tennis court, and a beach volleyball court.

Oakwoods Metropark – 32911 Willow Rd. in New Boston

If you’re looking for a great hike, look no further than Oakwoods Metropark. It’s right next to Willow Metropark, offers a variety of nature trails, and is the flattest of the Metroparks.

There’s a 3-mile hike-bike trail that connects to Willow and Lower Huron Metroparks, or an 11-mile trail connecting to Lake Erie Metropark.

There are also five nature trails varying from ¼ of a mile to 2 miles. The short Butterfly Viewing Trail goes through a “Monarch Butterfly Waystation” and the Sky-Come-Down Trail is described as the most diverse with unique habitats and ecosystems.

Stony Creek Metropark – 4300 Main Park Rd. in Shelby Township

Stony Creek Metropark hovers is split between Macomb and Oakland County, and at the heart of the park is the 500-acre Stony Creek Lake. It’s a spot where everyone can enjoy a day on the water.

If you’re looking to just lay out and relax, there are two beaches – Baypoint Beach and Eastwood Beach, with a food bar at Eastwood.

On the lake, you can rent boats, kayaks, and canoes, or bring your own, and cast a line to see what’s underneath the lake’s surface.

The nature center at the park has self-guided nature trails, animal encounters, nature investigations, and more.

Stony Creek Metropark, @raiinyraiin

Willow Metropark – 23200 South Huron Rd. in New Boston

Willow Metropark is another park with a great golf course, offering 18 holes and a par-71 course. There’s also a 24-hole disc golf course.

In the summertime, the Willow Metropark has a great pool, that includes a food bar nearby. There’s also a family waterslide, a place to play water basketball, and a splash pad.

This also runs down the Huron River and you can kayak with the launch near the Big Bend picnic area, and there are hiking trails that range from 3 miles to 8 miles.

Wolcott Mill Metropark – 65775 Wolcott Rd. in Ray

Wolcott Mill Metropark offers another opportunity to take a look at a working farm and see what it’s like for the barn animals.

The 250-acre working farm will give you an up-close look at cows, chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, ducks, and dairy cows.

While you’re asked not to feed the animals, you can definitely pet them. As it says on the website, “do you like having your head scratched? So do our animals. Some of our goats and cows really enjoy a good pet.”

With the farm comes interactive programming on a wide variety of subjects, which include sustainable agriculture, milk, and wool production from labs, soil and water conservation, and much more.

Wolcott Mill Metropark, @heatherm0529