Stony Creek Metropark facts for kids

Stony Creek Metropark is a large and exciting park located in southeast Michigan. It's part of the Huron–Clinton Metroparks system. The park is mostly in Washington Township and Oakland Township. A small part is in Shelby Township.

The park covers about 4,461 acres (18 square kilometers). At the center of the park is the beautiful Stony Creek Lake. This park is a fantastic place to enjoy nature and many outdoor activities.

Exploring the Park's Landscape

Stony Creek Metropark has a very interesting landscape. This is because it sits on a moraine. A moraine is a hilly area formed by ancient glaciers. Because of this, the park has many different types of land. You can find thick forests, rolling hills, open prairies, and even swampy areas.

Stony Creek Lake: A Man-Made Wonder

Stony Creek Lake is a lake made by people. It was created by building a dam across Stony Creek. Stony Creek is a smaller stream that flows into the Clinton River. Water from about 72 square miles (186 square kilometers) of northern Oakland County flows into Stony Creek. The lake itself covers about 500 acres (2 square kilometers).

High Points in the Park

The park is quite high up, about 875 feet (267 meters) above sea level at the park office. On a clear day, you can even see downtown Detroit, which is about 26 miles away! Many people think this is the highest point in Macomb County. However, the true highest point is Trombley Mountain in Bruce Township. It is about 1,150 feet (350 meters) above sea level.

Fun Activities at Stony Creek

Stony Creek Metropark offers many exciting activities for visitors. There are lots of trails for different adventures. You can also enjoy sports, water fun, and nature exploration.

Trails for Every Adventure

The park has many miles of trails in four different areas.

• There are 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) of trails for mountain biking and hiking. These trails are on the land of an old estate, and you can still see parts of its foundations.
• Near the nature center, you'll find another 8.5 miles (13.7 kilometers) of hiking trails.
• Close to Inwood Lake, there are over 6 miles (10 kilometers) of foot trails.
• A 6-mile (10-kilometer) paved trail goes all the way around Stony Creek Lake. This trail is very popular for jogging and inline skating.

More Park Fun

Besides the trails, Stony Creek Metropark also has:

• An 18-hole golf course, which is about 6,981 yards long.
• Hills for snowboarding, sledding, and tobogganing in winter.
• Two beaches on Stony Creek Lake: Eastwood Beach and Baypoint Beach.
• Picnic areas with basketball courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, and beach volleyball courts.
• A nature center where you can learn about local wildlife.
• An ice skating rink for winter fun.
• 15 miles of trails open for mountain biking.
• A 26-hole disc golf course.
• A boat launch for those with their own boats.
• Rowboats, paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks available to rent.
• Cross country skiing trails and ski rentals during the snowy months.
• The exciting Trippo water slide for summer fun.

Wildlife in the Park

Stony Creek Metropark is home to many different animals. The park is helping to bring back the osprey population in southeast Michigan. Osprey are large birds of prey that fish in the lake.

You can also see wild turkey, deer, and even bald eagles in the park. Many other animals that live in southeast Michigan can be found here too. Bird watching is a popular activity, and the nature center keeps a list of all the bird species seen.

Sometimes, massasaugas have been spotted during spring and summer. These are Michigan's only venomous snakes. It's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings when exploring nature.