Parks in Oakland and Adjacent Counties
Dodge #4
4250 Parkway Drive, Waterford (Oakland County)
A sandy beach and a one-mile shoreline on Cass Lake makes Dodge #4 State Park an excellent location for summer and winter water activities. Cass Lake has an excellent reputation for year-round fishing. That park has an accessible fishing pier on Cass Lake. The Cass Lake access site can accommodate 80 vehicles with trailers.
The park features many amenities, including a swimming area with restrooms, an easy 1.7 mile loop trail, shaded and sunny areas, and picnic tables and grills.
Belle Isle
99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit (Wayne County)
Belle Isle Park is a Detroit gem and a Michigan state park. The 987-acre island park features the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, giant slide, athletic fields, picnic areas, tennis courts, Belle Isle Nature Zoo, the James Scott Memorial Fountain and more attractions popular with all ages and interests. The park includes three lakes, 150 acres of wooded area and spectacular views of the Detroit and Windsor skyline. Rentals available for: Watercraft, Bike, Snow Sports. Food and ice sales available. Recreation Passport Required for entry.
Accessible features include a playground and picnic shelter. Belle Isle’s track chair helps visitors explore areas of the park where traditional wheelchairs might not. These off-road, electronic chairs can easily handle trails, snow, sand and up to 8 inches of water and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost.
Maybury
20145 Beck Road, Northville, (Wayne County)
Maybury State Park has a wooded and gently rolling terrain that may be explored on foot, bicycle and horseback or cross-country skis. Maybury’s working farm is open all year for visitors to explore farm life. 1900-1930 demonstrations, such as sheep shearing, honey extracting, and grain harvesting, are scheduled during the year.
Accessible features include a playground, hiking trails and a picnic shelter.
Maybury’s track chair helps visitors explore areas of the park where traditional wheelchairs might not. These off-road, electronic chairs can easily handle trails, snow, sand and up to 8 inches of water and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost.
Seven Lakes
14390 Fish Lake Road, Holly (Oakland County)
An endless variety of topography and ecosystems form the area called Seven Lakes. Its land was a combination of farmland, rolling hills and forests. About 230 acres of water with several miles of shoreline await the park user. The dam, formed one large lake from seven small lakes.
An endless variety of topography and ecosystems form the area called Seven Lakes. Its land was a combination of farmland, rolling hills and forests. About 230 acres of water with several miles of shoreline await the park user. The dam, formed one large lake from seven small lakes. The park offers foot trails, boating/fishing, nature programs, and camping and picnicking.
William G Milliken
1900 Atwater Street, Detroit (Wayne County)
William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor is Michigan’s first urban park and is located in the heart of Detroit, just east of the downtown, along a portion of the City’s Detroit Riverwalk. The park is home to a harbor, a picnic area, wetland, trails and much more. The 52-slip harbor of refuge provides transient rental space for larger boats. WiFi is available in the harbor. The park is conveniently located near the Outdoor Adventure Center, Belle Isle Park and many other major downtown Detroit attractions, including food and drink establishments.
Recreation Areas
Bald Mountain
1330 E. Greenshield Road, Lake Orion (Oakland County)
This 4,637 acre recreation area has several picnic areas, a modern accessible shooting range, large hunting areas, several fishing lakes, two trout streams, a sandy swimming beach and 15 miles of marked hiking and biking trails. Immensely popular for its eight miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails and snowmobiling, sledding and ice fishing. The picturesque park area has some of the steepest hills and most rugged terrain in southeastern Michigan. Camping is limited to rustic cabins, but the extensive trails, inland lakes, trout streams and wild game provide recreation opportunities all year long. Beach store available. Paddleboards are available for rent.
Brighton
6360 Chilson Road, Howell (Livingston County)
Brighton Recreation Area has 4,947 acres of land available for visitors. The area has a combination of high, irregular ranges of hills, interspersed with a number of attractive lakes. There are several miles of trails available for equestrian, mountain biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Metal detecting opportunities available. Oak forest, thick hedgerows and open spaces blend on the uplands while grassy marshes, shrub marshes and dense swamp timber mark the lowlands. The Recreation Area is also the home of Brighton Recreation Area Riding Stables.
Highland
5200 Highland Road, White Lake (Oakland County)
This recreation area incorporates 5,900 acres of forest, marshes and lakes in the rolling hills of Southern Michigan. Miles of trails accommodate equestrian riders, mountain bikers, hikers and skiers. Three marked x-country skiing trails for the novice and intermediate skiers. Three different day-use areas provide ample space for picnics, swimming, horseshoes or volleyball. Dog trials, metal detecting, and snowmobiling in designated areas. Rustic 30 site campground is available to campers with and without horses. Access sites are located on four lakes within the park for fishing and recreational boating.
Holly Oaks ORV (Off Road Vehicles)
13536 Dixie Hwy, Holly (Oakland County)
This park, consisting of former and active sand and gravel mines, is located off I-75 (at Grange Hall) and Dixie Highway across from Groveland Oaks County Park and Campground. Holly Oaks is open to all types of ORVs, including full-size vehicles, side-by-sides, all-terrain vehicles or ATVs and motorcycles.
A ticket is needed for EACH vehicle that will be used in the park (not vehicles that will be left in the parking lot). Online tickets are $15 per vehicle (not per person). On-site sales of vehicle passes are $20 per vehicle.
You also need DNR ORV and ORV Trail stickers. If you don’t have current stickers, you can purchase them at the park. They can also be purchased at dozens of locations in/around Oakland County. Visit the DNR’s website for a map of locations near you. The total for both stickers is $36.25.
For more detailed information, see the park website.
Holly
8100 Grange Hall Road, Holly (Oakland County)
This 8,000 acre recreation area provides opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, metal detecting and snowmobiling. The park boasts three lakes, two campgrounds (some sites with 50 amp service), cabins, a boat launch, and the Holly Woods Disc Golf Course. Accessible features include a playground and a hunting blind.
Island Lake
6301 Kensington Rd, Brighton (Livingston County)
This recreation area is across I-96 from Kensington Metropark. It is the only hot air balloon port in the state park system. Balloons usually take off in the early morning or late evening, depending on the wind and weather.
A metal detecting area, swimming beach, wildlife viewing, cross country skiing trails, paddle-in camping area are some of its offerings. Accessible features include a playground, shooting range, fishing pier and beach house.
Island Lake’s track chair helps visitors explore areas of the park where traditional wheelchairs might not. These off-road, electronic chairs can easily handle trails, snow, sand and up to 8 inches of water and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost.
Ortonville
5779 Hadley Road, Ortonville (Oakland and Lapeer Counties)
Recreational opportunities here include hiking, bicycling, boating, camping, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting. There are equestrian trails and a 25-site equestrian campground. A large day-use area provides 300 parking spaces, restroom facilities, a picnic area, two picnic shelters, a playground, horseshoe pits and a designated swim area. There is also a rustic cabin for overnight stays.
Outdoor Adventure Center (Detroit)
1801 Atwater Street, Detroit (Wayne County)
Located on Detroit’s riverfront in the historic Globe Building, with the Dequindre Cut trail running through its backyard, the Outdoor Adventure Center gives you a taste of Michigan’s great outdoors in the heart of the city. It is located within the Milliken State Park.
Experience exciting outdoor adventures with hands-on activities, exhibits and simulators — walk behind and touch a waterfall, step into a fishing boat and reel in a big fish, hit the trail on a mountain bike or snowmobile, and much more. At the OAC, you’ll learn about how the DNR manages state parks, forests, wildlife and fish as you climb the roots and explore the canopy of a massive bur oak tree, hop aboard a real airplane, and see what’s swimming in our aquarium.
Pontiac Lake
7800 Gale Road, Waterford (Oakland County)