February 02, 2023
Visit Detroit
Dec. 19. 2022
Max White
“13 Parks. Endless Fun.” That’s the motto for Huron-Clinton Metroparks, and it’s a perfect motto as there are things to do year-round outdoors at the Metroparks.
While winter in Michigan can be tough, you can do a variety of things to enjoy the cold weather and snow at the Metroparks.
The activities are great for people of all ages, and if you’re looking for something to do outdoors this winter, below you’ll find some options at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
Located in Macomb and Oakland counties, Stony Creek Metropark offers ice fishing, sledding, skiing, snowboarding, skating and more. Ice fishing is available at both sections of Stony Creek Lake below 28 Mile Road, and ice shanties must be marked. There are more than 13 miles of different cross-country skiing trails that are marked and groomed with flat and hilly terrain. The trails go on the golf course and mountain bike routes. Ski rental is available. You can even do some snowshoeing throughout most of the park except on the cross-country ski trails. The park also has an ice skating rink on Stony Creek Lake near the boat launch area, and you can do ice hockey in designated areas. There are also some sledding hills for people of all ages, and snowboarding is allowed on some as well.
You can get some ice fishing done at Lake St. Clair Metropark when the weather is great for it. The area is known for pan fish and yellow perch, and fishing is allowed on the open waters of the lake, on the canals and the North Boat Basin. There are 2.5 miles of marked cross-country ski trails with relatively flat terrain for beginners and intermediate levels. An outdoor sledding hill with comfort stations, a warming room and picnic tables are near the West Playfield so people can go fast in the Metropark. Finally, there is ice hockey at the outdoor ice hockey rink near the sledding hill, and an outdoor family ice skating rink is near the West Playfield as well.
Lake St. Clair Metropark, @mimichiganphotos
Huron Meadows is one of just a few parks in metro Detroit that offers skate-style and classically-groomed cross-country skiing. In all, there are more than 15 miles of trails groomed for tracked, classic skiing with moderate terrain and rolling hills. There are also 11 miles of trails groomed for skate-style skiing. For winters with less snow, skiers can enjoy a 1.5-mile loop at Bucks Run which is refreshed using snow guns and is even lit up at night. The Metropark also offers ski rentals and a heated lounge with restrooms and snacks. You can hike more than 11 miles of rustic trails inside Huron Meadows Metropark, but know that the trails are not cleared or salted in the winter and may be snow-covered, slippery or muddy.
You can go sledding, cross-country skiing or do some winter hiking at Indian Springs. The park said you bring your own sled or saucer to slide down the hill at the Meadowlark picnic area, and it’s great for kids. There are plenty of hikes in the park ranging from half a mile to more than three miles. Finally, there are 12 miles of trails on varied terrain, plus open expanses on the golf course, for classic and traditional Nordic cross-country skiing.
Kingston Metropark has so many activities you can spend a whole day there! They have ice skating on a small rink next to the Orchard Picnic area, with a small mat to walk from the shelter to the rink. There is also sledding for people who are beginners or those who are advanced, with a bunny hill for kids with padded trees. There is also toboggan runs, sledding hills and beginner snowboard hills. The park has 12 miles of groomed trails at Kensington with ski rental, and the trails are built for beginner and advanced skiers.
There is a 3-mile paved hike and bike trail throughout the park, and also a 2-mile Acorn Nature Trail you can walk along the Huron River. In the winter, it gets crisp and quiet with the snow, and you can even try and find some tracks. The Metropark also has six miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing. The trails are built for classic skiing only, with varied terrain for all skill levels. After, you can hit up the activity center for a heated lounge with vending machines and restrooms.
Located along one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie Metropark has sledding, cross-country skiing and hiking in the park. There’s a large hill for sledding near the Great Wave pool complex that provides hours of fun during the winter for those who are visiting. Several trails run through the park, and some are not cleared or salted in the winter, so take precautions if you’re going to walk on them. Finally, they have 4.25 miles of trails for cross-country skiing located near the sledding hill.
Lake Erie Metropark, @yeahhh_toast
Delhi Metropark is located along the Huron River, so there aren’t a ton of things to do in the winter, but the park does have some great trails for hiking or biking year-round.
Similar to Delhi, the Dexter-Huron Metropark is on the Huron River with a majority of the winter activities focusing on hiking or biking along the paths and trails.
Lower Huron Metropark has great trails for freestyle cross-country skiing with views of the Huron River and snow-covered woodlands. You might even see some beautiful wild animals.
Oakwoods also has cross-country skiing with nearby Willow Metropark and Lower Huron Metropark.
Willow Metropark has sledding, cross-country skiing and hiking throughout the park. Different sledding hills offer a variety of speeds going down, and one is even lit up for sledding at night. There are more than six miles of groomed trails at Willow Metropark and you can also get into the other parks nearby.
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, wool production from labs, soil and water conservation and much more.
Wolcott Mill Metropark, @lililarah
