Really nice park in metro Detroit - there's something for everyone here. In the front, there's…read moreplenty of play structures/areas for kids of all ages. There's also a covered pavilion and lots of benches/picnic tables throughout. Dogs are allowed on leashes so you can include the whole family - even the fur baby. There is also a nice pond and water feature to walk around, and nature trails in the back. They have some fun lawn games to play near the pond too. One trail has a bridge that connects all the way to the green space on the other side of the Clinton River. My personal favorite is the pond with turtles that you can find lounging on logs on sunny days. There's even a kayak launch and other access points into the Clinton River. Tons of wildlife to view - we've seen plenty of deer, chipmunks, squirrels, turtles and cool birds. There is on-site paid parking (and free overflow across the street) but otherwise the park is free, which is really nice. I always see workers riding around in a golf cart emptying trash, making sure the park is clean. They even have bathrooms and a kona ice truck that I've seen on weekends. What more could you want?

Let's get this part out of the way - The park itself? Amazing. It is modern, has plenty of options,…read moreis well maintained, and has some great nature paths outside of the playground area. In an area that features many great playgrounds and parks to take your family to, Innovation Hills has always stood out. There is a lack of options for younger children though (no infant swings?). The three stars? One of the new features of this park is the addition of Park Mobile being introduced for the main parking lot. Signs everywhere reminding you that you better have paid your $1.50 an hour! There is of course a free dirt lot across the busy road for your convenience. Or a parking 'annual pass' you can purchase from the Rochester Hills website. Our society struggles with the concept of 'the third place'. Parks and playgrounds are a haven for families and a community builder outside of work and home. What in the world is the motivation behind suddenly charging for parking? 1 - The City of Rochester Hills wants to prioritize park access for its citizens? Charging for parking doesn't keep out non-residents and in fact just causes Rochester Hills citizens to pay more for something they are already paying for. 2 - The park is often extremely crowded so charging for parking may reduce visitor count? If this was the motivation I am confident this strategy is not working. 3 - We want to encourage more families to park in the dirt lot across the street and attempt to cross a highway? I have more faith in humanity than that. Oh, I think I got it! To quote Tim Robinson's sketch 'The Driving Crooner' - "I gotta figure out how to make money on this thing..it's simply TOO GOOD!"

Soft sandy beaches, no seaweed in the swimming area, and lots of space. There's a sidewalk between…read morethe grass and beach - Lots of tables and grills too Electric vehicle charging stations Bathroom/changing rooms but the open air kind (see pics) Would be nice if there were any vending machines or snack stand of sorts

Beautiful park, wasn't over crowded. The beach area was…read moreclean and raked. The water is crystal clear and there's plenty of wildlife...

Nice walking trails. Beautiful nature preserve. The boulder display is amazing. A great place to go…read morewith family.

Nice walking trails - I think it's about 1.3 miles around the trail one time. Little benches to sit…read moreon and reflect on the world's problems or to just be in nature. Lake is pretty and calming. I saw a couple deer and some little furry friends while on my walk. Not sure if you should stay on the trails but some others who were walking were not......

Amazing park for riding, running or bicycling. Trails are well kept and great sceneryread more

Gorgeous park along the Huron river between Ann Arbor and Dexter. Tons of amenities including an…read more18-hole golf course, disc golf course, picnic areas, playgrounds, baseball diamonds, biking and hiking trails, nature trails, river fishing, and boat launches for canoes and kayaks. My husband and I brought our pups here for a little outdoor time during social distancing and despite it being a gorgeous Saturday early-evening we didn't run into any one else on any of the trails we explored. So it's a really great spot to enjoy some outdoor adventures without worrying about getting too close to other people. Beautifully maintained, tons of parking and pup friendly! Just remember bug spray if you get into the woods/near the river. I forgot and got eaten up quite a bit!

A true gem. So special "as is" that we're hesitant to fill this review will our all our lauding…read moreremarks and don't want to overpopulate the visitor traffic Stop by visitors center first for some outdoor posted info, their packed pollinators garden, and most importantly a quick check with ranger to see if driving trail is open. If unable to drive through, highly recommend their nice hiking trails (easy terrain). Plenty of water fowl and flora to view. Quiet, serene setting truly transports one away from the hustle and bustle. We needed the break from tourist-filled Frankenmuth and we're surprised refuge was just a 20-minute drive away. Ahhhhh...great respite. Would have appreciated a few more benches to be able to sit and soak in the ambience. Plus a handout map....digital was great but cell service can be spotty. Add a list with pics of some wildlife to view would be helpful as well. Appreciate the park rangers hard work in keeping such a safe haven for wildlife. Expect to need a car wash afterwards...dirt road. But we'll worth it! Free admission (thanks). Donor box? We'd gladly support your cause

Awesome little auto loop. They have great hiking trails…read morealso. I saw a lot of cool little fuzzy caterpillars, a snake, different kinds of birds, an eagle's nest...It's not open year round but you can hike year round. Beautiful little treasure tucked away...

Everything from the garden to the signs and the butterfly house in between in awesome!read more

One of the best place to hike, snowshoe or do some free yoga in the summer. You will see lots of…read morenature and animals all over the preserve.