Whether you live on the east side of the state or you’re an out-of-towner, you may not know about the hidden gem that is William C. Sterling State Park in Monroe, the only Michigan State Park on Lake Erie. It’s a popular RV campground, but it also has 10 lesser-known, full-amenity, cottages set on the Lake Erie shoreline. Though the park is about 45 minutes to an hour from downtown Detroit, it’s the perfect way to blend the excitement of city life during the day and the serenity of lakefront vacationing in the evening.
A Little About the Cottages
These new, modern cottages are operated by Vista Recreation, and they sleep up to seven. If you’re traveling with friends, however, you may be more comfortable with three to four people max. There are just two bedrooms in each cottage: one with a full bed and one with a bunk bed with a twin on top and a full on the bottom. They also have a futon in the living room area, a small table with seating, and a screened-in porch with chairs. Outside are firepits, picnic tables, and charcoal grills for guest use.
They aren’t large cottages, but they do use the space well. Each has heating and cooling, and comes equipped with a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, dishes and kitchenware, and a bathroom with shower. There are plenty of well-placed electrical outlets throughout for charging devices, but no wi-fi. They require a two-night stay, and you’ll need to bring your own bedding and towels, as well as your own hairdryer if you need one. Check availability and make your reservation here.
Plan Your Trip
After you’ve booked your cottage, it’s time to build your itinerary. For this weekend, dining out, a visit to Eastern Market, and a canal kayaking trip with Detroit River Sports are recommended!
Friday Afternoon/Evening
Check in at the cottages is at 4:00 p.m. and they make it easy to enter with a code lock system. Just don’t leave the sheet of paper with the code on the table and close the door behind you! Thankfully, if that happens, the park staff are just a phone call away.
By the time you’re settled in and have peeped your immediate surroundings, it’s time to think about dinner. Public House is a top pick in Monroe, and it’s about a fifteen minute drive from home base. They have an eclectic menu, and specials made with seasonal ingredients. The servers are friendly and eager to chat and share favorite things to do nearby. Try the pb + j burger along with their hard-to-resist fries and a flight of four Michigan craft beers.
Back at the park, an after-dinner walk is in order. There are several trails on the grounds, most of which surround small lagoons and marshes. Expect to see a variety of wildlife and wildflowers, as well as people fishing for perch, walleye, bass, carp, and more. There are observation areas and benches along the way, and opportunities to watch the sunset—and take a pic or two—on the paths that face the west.
By the time you arrive back at your cottage, the park will have quieted to just the sounds of the waves on Lake Erie and the calls of gulls and killdeer flying overhead. Relax on the porch with a blanket and a cup of tea or a cold beverage and bask in the comfort of your charming home away from home.
Saturday
Up and at ‘em! Early risers will be able to catch the sunrise on clear mornings, and, once again, the porch beckons to watch the tide roll in and out. Sip your coffee and enjoy a pastry before preparing for a day in the D. Pack up the car with your gear and a change of clothes and head to Eastern Market, which is always bustling with energy and filled with every type of vendor imaginable.
Flowers, produce, baked goods, candles and fragrances, teas and coffees, and clothing are just some of the finds. This is the perfect spot to shop for gifts and souvenirs, and also grab lunch, whether it’s crepes, pierogies, pasties, pizza, or sandwiches.
Wander back through the crowd and locate your car, then queue up your GPS for Detroit River Sports so you’ll be on time for your 2:00 p.m. kayaking trip. It’s about a 20 minute drive, so if you have time, consider stopping first to wander part of the Dequindre Cut and explore the vibrant, sweeping murals.
The route to the waterfront is a series of turns, passing through older neighborhoods with interesting homes. As you approach your destination, you’ll realize that many of these homes are on the canals you’re about to traverse. File that under “learn something new every day”!
Detroit River Sports offers a number of public tours, with one of their most popular being the Historic Canal Tour. These run on Saturdays, most Fridays, and some Sundays about mid-May through the end of October. Other public tours include Peche Island, which one of the guides raves about, as well as Sunset Canal, Belle Isle, and Full Moon, all of which occur at varying days and times. It’s best to check the calendar to see which one is happening when.
In addition, they offer private tours, SUP paddles, lessons, and special events, which you can learn more about and book, if applicable, here. Reserving your tour in advance is highly encouraged to ensure you don’t miss out on your preference.
When you arrive for the 2:00 p.m. Historic Paddle Tour, advisedly 15 minutes ahead, you’ll begin by getting fitted with life vests and paddles. You’ll also need to sign a waiver, which is easily done online before the date of your trip. The guides will provide a quick primer for using your paddle, instructions for adjusting your foot rests, and tips for staying stable while on board.
Suited up and ready, you’ll begin your expedition through the "Venice of Detroit". The ratio of guides to guests is generous, ensuring that no passenger is left unattended. As you paddle, guides will stop and have you gather ‘round as they spin tales of area’s rich history. On this trip, you’ll learn about the Fox Indian Massacre and the notorious Purple Gang, as well as the canals’ role in industry and as a route for escaping enslaved persons via the Underground Railroad.
As you move through the waters on the last leg of the trip, you’ll enter the Detroit River. With wind and weather factoring in, you’ll either spend a brief time on this stretch, or a more extended time. The currents can get intense at times, and the guides will put safety first; potentially cutting this part short. However long you’re out on the river, you’ll likely see large freighters and wave to those enjoying a ride on their power boats. And, as you re-enter the canals, you’ll have completed a full loop—and come out more educated than when you entered!
You might also be a bit exhausted. Take your time getting grounded again by browsing the gift shop and changing out of your likely damp clothes and into something more befitting for a meal out at a local restaurant. Right next door is Coriander Kitchen and Farm with a prime spot overlooking the canals. This women-owned establishment was once a marina, and has indoor, outdoor, and heated, covered patio seating. They’ll even give you a blanket if you choose to sit by the water, but it’s a little brisk out.
The menu is nothing short of inspired, with such palate pleasers as Jalapeño & Cheddar Hushpuppies, Falafel Burger, and Mole Carrot Tacos. Even their House Salad is anything but ordinary, with roasted beets, lentil sprouts, and a delicious herbed ranch dressing. And, everywhere you look, someone will be savoring one of their specialties: their bright green Farm Margarita. Get it with a Tajin rim for an extra kick.
More Outdoor Fun
Late Saturday/Early Sunday
Sufficiently sated, you’ll be ready to head back to your cottage and turn in early after a full day of activity. Going to bed early means a greater likelihood of waking early to see another sunrise over the lake. Ahh, it never gets old.
Before checkout time at 11:00, be sure to take a quick swim or stroll along the shoreline. Unlike other Great Lakes, Erie’s sands are less rock filled and more covered in fine shell pieces. In the water, you’ll find an abundance of zebra mussel shells; they’re pretty, but just watch your feet! The stretch of beach toward the south is picturesque with small sandbars, overhanging trees, and a rivulet that separates the park from the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
And, just like that, a spectacular weekend in the greater Detroit region comes to a close. Looking for more things to do in and around the Motor City? Get the full scoop here or read this guide.
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