Oakland County Parks

Oakland County has many county parks and golf courses offering a variety of activities. An important feature of the Oakland County Park system is extensive attention to the needs of people with disabilities, who, like seniors and veterans, can receive free park passes . Before the pandemic, in addition to the listed services, Oakland County Parks hosted monthly dinner dances for people with disabilities. We are hoping these will resume, and soon!

The park system has a complicated set of fees, all of which are intended to make the parks widely affordable.

Addison Oaks

1480 West Romeo Road, Leonard

Addison Oaks is a 1,140-acre natural oasis where visitors can spend the day, camp under the stars, or explore the park’s rich history. Campers can stay on individual sites or in group camping areas, yurts or cabins. Activities include a 20+ mile trail system for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and winter fat tire biking; boat/kayak and bike rentals, 18-hole disc golf course, fishing, geocaching, picnicking and group picnic shelters. A 2.5-mile connector trail connects the main park to Addison Oaks East and other nearby recreation areas.

  • Archery – Hunting
  • Bike
  • Boat / Canoe / Kayak
  • Camping
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Disc Golf
  • Equestrian Trails
  • Fishing
  • Food Service – Banquet
  • Geocaching
  • Hike
  • Horseshoes
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Pavilions
  • Playground
  • Row/Paddle Boat/Kayak/Bike Rental
  • Sand Volleyball
  • Snowshoe
  • Trails
  • Weddings / Banquets / Parties

Catalpa Oaks

27705 Greenfield Road, Southfield

Catalpa Oaks preserves 24 acres of green space in Southfield next to the South Oakland Health Department. The park is home of the Annual Great Marshmallow Drop, a spring event drawing 5,000+ participants to watch 15,000 marshmallows drop from a helicopter. Catalpa Oaks features five soccer fields, a baseball field, softball field, playgrounds, including a universally-accessible playscape and swings for all abilities. A .6-mile aggregate perimeter pathway around the park provides a walking and running loop. A pavilion offers picnic table seating for 100 people. Modern restrooms are on site.

Farmers Market

Farmers Market

2350 Pontiac Lake Rd , Waterford

The Oakland County Farmers Market, open three days a week in season and Saturdays only in the winter, provides grower-direct fresh produce, flowers and hand-made goods. Vendors showcase their products via indoor and outdoor stalls. Red Wood Grill provides on-site BBQ fare. Special events are held throughout the year, including Oakland Uncorked, food truck rallies and community garage sales. Nutrition and health programs are hosted by Michigan State University Extension and Master Gardeners, as well as the Oakland Conservation District and the Oakland County Health Division.

May – December: 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Tues/Thurs/Sat)
January – April: 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Saturday only

Groveland Oaks

14555 Dixie Highway, Holly

The park is located on Stewart Lake just 1.5 miles east of I-75 “exit 101” in northern Oakland County. It offers modern campsites, group camping areas, eight cabins, four yurts and two Island pavilions for group parties. There are a sandy beach, miniature golf, campground recreation program, pedal boat and kayak rental, bike rental, fishing pier, three large children’s playscapes, skateboard park, bike skills course, basketball and volleyball courts, paved trails, and the Blue Water Grill concessions/campground store.

  • Beach
  • Bike
  • BMX
  • Boat / Canoe / Kayak
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hike
  • Horseshoes
  • Mini Golf
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Pavilions
  • Playground
  • Row/Paddle Boat Rental
  • Skate Park
  • Trails

 

Highland Oaks

6555 Milford Road, Highland

​Archery hunting for white-tailed deer (with some limitations) is allowed in this park, hunting locations and rules are listed in the individual park archery maps that can be found here.  No parks allow firearm hunting.

The park’s 302 acres of rolling hills, wetlands and old pastures offers 2.5 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, geocaching and cross-country skiing, as well as fishing from an accessible floating dock.

  • Archery – Hunting
  • Bike
  • Boat / Canoe / Kayak
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Equestrian Trails
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Hike
  • Picnic Area
  • Snowshoe
  • Trails

 

Independence Oaks

9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston

Archery hunting for white-tailed deer (with some limitations) is allowed in this park, hunting locations and rules are listed in the individual park archery maps that can be found here.  No parks allow firearm hunting.

Independence Oaks is the largest Oakland County Park at 1,286 acres. The Wint Nature Center offers interactive exhibits and recreation opportunities include 12+ miles of natural and paved trails, a swimming beach, an archery range, volleyball courts, and a boat launch (non-motorized boats). In winter, cross-country ski equipment is available for rent, depending on staff availability and amount of snow. Twin Chimney Shelter provides a sweeping view of 68-acre Crooked Lake and is popular for outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions. Independence Oaks-North is the only Southeast Michigan park with a Catch and Release Special Designation by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Anglers can portage and launch canoes, kayaks or other non-motorized boats. Independence Oaks-North is open for archery deer hunting in the fall.

 

Lyon Oaks

52221 Pontiac Trail, Wixom

Archery hunting for white-tailed deer (with some limitations) is allowed in this park, hunting locations and rules are listed in the individual park archery maps that can be found here.  No parks allow firearm hunting.

Lyon Oaks preserves 800 acres of environmentally-sensitive wetlands within a 1,041-acre park. Park features a day-use area with picnic shelter and playground; volleyball, horseshoes pits, and soccer and cricket fields; 6 miles of natural trails for biking, cross-country skiing and on-leash dog walking; and a 13-acre, fenced dog park for off-leash fun.

Orion Oaks

2301 W. Clarkston Road, Orion

Archery hunting for white-tailed deer (with some limitations) is allowed in this park, hunting locations and rules are listed in the individual park archery maps that can be found here.  No parks allow firearm hunting.

Orion Oaks is known for its popular dog park, which offers features enclosures for off-leash play, two trails, field area, picnic pavilion and modern restrooms, and access to dog dock on Lake Sixteen for swimming (dogs only!). The dog park entrance is on Joslyn Road, between Scripps and Clarkston roads. Orion Oaks’ 916 acres also offers 10 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, geocaching, and fishing on Lake Sixteen, with a wheelchair accessible fishing pier off Joslyn Road. A small boat launch is provided for non-motorized boats. The park may be accessed from three parking lots, Baldwin, Clarkston and Joslyn roads.

Orion Oaks is known for its popular dog park, the first of three in the Oakland County Parks system. The 24-acre Dog Park offers features enclosures for off-leash play, two trails, field area, picnic pavilion and modern restrooms; access to dog dock on Lake Sixteen for swimming (dogs only!). The dog park entrance is on Joslyn Road, between Scripps and Clarkston roads. Orion Oaks’ 916 acres also offers 10 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, geocaching, and fishing on Lake Sixteen, with a wheelchair accessible fishing pier off Joslyn Road. A small boat launch is provided for non-motorized boats. The park may be accessed from three parking lots, Baldwin, Clarkston and Joslyn roads.

  • Archery – Hunting
  • Bike
  • Boat / Canoe / Kayak
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Dog Park
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Hike
  • Picnic Area
  • Snowshoe
  • Trails

Red Oaks

30300 Hale Street, Madison Heights

Red Oaks’ 163-acres are a unique example of repurposing urban land for recreational use – the park is located atop the enclosed George W. Kuhn Drain. Red Oaks is a busy place, with five unique recreation facilities: Dog Park; Golf Course; Nature Center and trails; Youth Soccer Complex; and Red Oaks Waterpark.

Rose Oaks

10501 Buckhorn Lake Road, Holly

This 640-acre undeveloped park is a favorite of equestrians who explore its five miles of trails including accessible boardwalks and floating docks, which are also shared by hikers, cyclists, geocachers and cross-country skiers. Fishing is permitted and non-motorized boats and electric-motor boats are allowed; carry-in only. General parking on Buckhorn Lake Road; equestrian parking at the Fish Lake Road lot.

  • Archery – Hunting
  • Bike
  • Boat / Canoe / Kayak
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Equestrian Trails
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Hike
  • Picnic Area
  • Snowshoe
  • Trails

 

Springfield Oaks

12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg

Springfield Oaks is home of the historic Ellis Barn and annual Oakland County Fair, which draws 100,000+ visitors annually to the 10-day event.

 

Waterford Oaks

1702 Scott Lake Road, Waterford

Headquarters of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, 199-acre Waterford Oaks is also home to Waterford Oaks Waterpark; the world-class Waterford Oaks Bicycle Motocross (BMX) Track; more than three miles of hiking trails; the universally-accessible Paradise Peninsula Playscape; two platform tennis courts; sand volleyball courts; a winter family sledding hill; and outdoor fitness equipment.

At the Waterford Oaks Waterpark, tropical wave pool features palm trees and bubbler fountains near the shore. A children’s water playground features more than 30 interactive activities. All pools are heated. Also available are picnic areas with grills, concessions, bathhouse with showers and lockers, lounge chairs and tubes. Pools are supervised by trained lifeguards.