Many years ago I hosted a bridal shower here but recently I have visited to walk around the pond…read moreand explore the woods. The location is great! Right by I-75 but still wooded and the comfort of being outside. Clean bathrooms, with diaper changing table. No swimming or fishing allowed. It doesn't offer as much as other nature centers but if you know what you're getting into, it's still nice. I'm looking forward to renting the cabins in the fall.

I wanted to try a new place for hiking around me one day because I felt like I had been everywhere…read morenearby when I found Hawk Woods! It feels so close to the highway, yet also completely secluded from it as well. There was only one part of the hike where I felt like I could hear the highway sounds, but otherwise, it felt like a cool little sojourn into nature. The overall size of the park is very small, I believe the outer loop was about one mile MAX, so definitely a very quick, very easy hike you can do! You can honestly do the loop a few times if you so please as well. Very little elevation gain, perfect for all skill-levels, some variance in scenery as you go about the hike, dog-friendly, and filled with little nature, educational signs throughout. A delight and a perfect way to do a quick little getaway into nature!

Sylvan Glen Lake Park is a hidden gem right off Rochester Road…read more It is great for a walk, picnic, and fishing. The back and forth walking path is paved leading around the lake into a beautiful forest area. Only about a third of the lake is accessible since the neighboring golf course locks the northern side. The accessible lakeside is shallow. Along the lake you will find benches to rest at or fishermen young and old. The onsite restrooms and water fountain were super helpful! Sylvan Glen Lake Park is a great spot to spend for the day or even stop on the way home from work for a fresh breath of air!

There is now a new paved bike and walking trail around the lake that opened up this past Spring…read more2021. It is part of the Troy Trails and such a great addition. Since the trail was completed more people are coming here to walk, bike, and fish especially in the evening hours. The trail doesn't go around the whole lake but a semicircle from the side opposite of the golf course. It's a short .75 mike tail and at the end goes through the woods and leads you into a neighborhood subdivision. The only thing this place needs now is an outdoor bathroom and water fountain.

Bloomer Park is an excellent place for hiking and mountain biking. It's has technical mountain bike…read moretrails as well as moderate and casual. These levels are the same for hiking, so you can get a great workout regardless of experience level. There are multiple wood staircases of varying lengths, so it's great for stair climbing exercise. I've been coming here on/off for several years and have never had a bad experience. I've gone to other state parks where I've gotten swarmed by a lot of bugs, but for whatever reason, not at Bloomer. It's also great that it's located next to downtown Rochester, so food and drink after a casual stroll is accessible. I highly recommend Bloomer Park for hiking and biking activities.

My family and I went to Bloomer Park for their recent, Fossils and Riverside Campfire event (cost…read morewas $10 per person). We had a great time. It was our first visit to this city park, and I was happy to see it was nicely maintained. We only stayed and hiked through a small section of the park, but it was very clean, bathrooms were available, there was a playground for kids, small grills in sections, bike repair areas could be found, and the trails had been recently upkept. The paths we followed were simple and good for families, although I would not recommend dragging a wagon or anything like that with you. There were easy to hike sections, as well as smaller, more off-road trails perfect for those that enjoy mountain biking. There was plenty of wildlife around to view, wooden bridges for crossing streams and marshy areas, and beautiful areas to relax near the Clinton River. It was honestly a great outing, and we'll definitely be back.

Beautiful walk - 8.9 miles if you walk the full trail according to the signage. Construction is…read morehappening now but there are detour signs along the way.

There's no greater slice of heaven on Earth than the Paint Creek Trail. I still remember the first…read moretime my boyfriend and I walked down it 4 years ago--it was mid-October and the leaves were turning golden reds and browns. We walked about a mile and a half into downtown Rochester Hills, passing by a police horse, a family of seven deer, and many bikers, runners, and walkers like us along the way. The path was clean, the nature was beautiful, and everyone we passed was just as happy to be enjoying this trail as we were. It's just as magical today as it was then. This trail is, in short, an absolute gem. If there was a list for best casual walking trails near a downtown in the US, this would top it. We've easily put thousands of miles of walking into that trail--which has its unique history of its own as a former railroad line. Through every season, from rain to sun to snow, we've been blessed to watch its beautiful trees and flora evolve throughout the years. The best part, however, is that everyone respects the beauty of it. There are trash cans spread out, but you'll never find a candy wrapper or doggy bag left in a stray bush. Bikers make themselves well heard before safely passing around a group of idle walkers. It's rare to hear runners blaring loud music, and I swear children are visibly calmer when walking through Dinosaur Hill with their parents. I genuinely believe every city in America's overall happiness levels would skyrocket if they had a trail like this. But that's what makes the Paint Creek Trail special--it's uniquely one of a kind in its simplicity and beauty.

Awesome hiking area. Saw the best views and the terrain was definitely a wonderful challenge. Went…read moreas a group but was able to break off on an individual hike and was definitely worth it to burn more calories and increase my pace. Love all of the hidden gyms in Michigan and this one is definitely one of them. I took mostly videos so the pic I have isn't that great

Large beach in a large park…read more Great place to meet up with a large group of friends or family! In the summer months (pre-Labor Day) they have an inflatable obstacle course courtesy of Warrior Island great for teens and adults I have seen dogs on this beach (and in the water) multiple times so clearly the NO ANIMALS sign is often ignored The changing rooms are interesting... no doors necessary since they're around a corner The singular outdoor shower is not private There's goose poop everywhere Biggest perk is how far you can go while it's still shallow

First time here, and it was beautiful. Hilly trail with packed dirt, paved, wood stairs, and…read moreboardwalk sections. Be aware that there are many roots and rocks on the trail so keep your eye out for tripping hazards especially with the fall leaves. The Rouge River runs through the grounds so there are little pockets of flowing water. I saw at least 7 deer, including a young buck with a small rack hiding in the brush. There were many different birds including a few woodpeckers, cardinals and blue jays. I'm pretty sure I saw a falcon too. I'll be back to enjoy the trails and wildlife again

Stage Nature Center offers relaxing hikes through some well-marked wood chip and boardwalk trails…read more The trails are beautiful and even for not being that large, you could enjoy it for hours. Rouge River runs through for a nice natural water source. There are plenty of benches along the trails so you're never without the option to sit for too long. There is plenty of wildlife. I always see tons of deer wandering about. There is a resident racoon family, rescued owls, mallard ducks, and even the wild turkeys!! Plenty to see that will entertain young and old.

This place is SO fun and I can't believe I never knew it existed. It's definitely geared a bit…read moretowards kids in the beginning of the hike with a bunch of fun, interactive things set up near the parking lot, but this is a great little hike you can do with your friend and/or dog with a lot less traffic than Paint Creek Trail, which connects to Dinosaur Hill, or the Rochester Municipal Park, which is located right next door. A very short hike, clocking in at about 1 mile, with the nature preserve seemingly split in two by Paint Creek. It was fun and is a very quick hike with changes in scenery that keeps the hike interesting. Another great option in the Rochester/downtown Rochester area for all skill levels to take advantage of! :)

Nice place to take your dogs or your kids. The trails are well kept and connect to the Paint Creek…read moretrail. The trail map is posted at different locations which makes it very easy to know where you are and how to get to where you want to go.