Check the county website or facebook page before you go!! Recently, the beach at Independence Lake has had to be shut down several times for high e coli levels. One of the posts said that this is because of the amount of geese that have been frequenting the lake this year or because of runoff from rain. We went once before we knew about the e coli issues and actually had a great time. The beach (we thought) appeared clean and the water was the perfect cool temperature on a hot summer day. The swimming area went deep enough that we could float away from the littles on the shoreline. There were two life guards on duty. They have really amazing facilities where a get together was being held under the pavilion. They have a snack station, but we brought our own chips and sodas. They also have a splash pad with water slides. This area was closed when we went, and you have to pay a little more to access this area. They also have some cool trails and a frisbee golf course. You can bring dogs, but not to the designated swimming area. I hope they figure out the e coli issues because we would love to go back. read more

Very nice park. Clean water , beach , trails. Not too crowded. It's hidden in backroad. Definitely will be back again. My daughter enjoyed this park. read more

This lake is our summer stomping grounds. It's great for all summer occasions. Weddings, Father's day picnic, Company picnic, or just a relaxing day at the lake. Last month, I organized a company picnic. Obtaining the pavilion, and alcohol permit was super easy and the staff was really friendly. The pavilion was big, nice, clean and they put up a notice to anyone else that might be in there, that you have it reserved. The Independence Woods Pavilion is within sight of the splash park and one of the two volleyball courts. Perfect to keep an eye on the kids and the grill at the same time. Only downsides to renting a pavilion for your party is that the bees come out with the food. They aren't interested in stinging anyone and are easily shoo'd away but there are a lot and they come back. Keep your beer covered, as a couple people almost swallowed a bee or two looking for a sip. The other downside is that there is no power in the pavilions. If you don't want to rent a pavilion, there are plenty of shaded tables and grills dotted all around. There are plumbed bathrooms in the main house, and outhouse like toilets elsewhere. Admission is $5 for in-county residents and $9 for others. $25 season pass. read more

I went swimming here today, and that was a blast as well. The park is so popular that the beach area is fairly busy, but my friend and I found a spot to spread our towels with no problems. They also have a "Spray Zone" area that ewashtenaw.org describes as "a splash play area with geysers, jet streams and foamies." It's meant for kids, but it's fun for adults as well. This place is a great value if you're a Washtenaw County resident - pile as many people as you can fit into your van or hatchback and just pay $5 per carload. Great deal! read more

Great beach! They have a snack bar with nachos and pretzels along with hot dogs and stuff, so you can get a meal if you want to. They also have grills if you'd rather make your own food. There is a lifeguard and a roped off swimming area, and the water temperature was great when we were there since it is a smaller lake. They don't allow dogs in the beach area, which is fine, but my friends were disappointed that they also wouldn't allow their dog in the lake even at a non-beach area. Poor little guy just wanted to swim somewhere lol. Definitely a good lake for humans though! I'm planning to go back sometime to check out the trails, and in non-covid years the waterpark looks pretty cool too! read more

This little gem of a park is only busy on warm weather weekends. The rest of the year it is more or less deserted which I like. Great trails for hiking and beautiful scenery abound at this relatively new addition to the Washtenaw County Parks. Wildlife is bursting everywhere here. The park recently added an 18 hole championship level disc golf course on newly acquired land. I have played it many times and it is one of my favorite courses in the Ann Arbor area. In the winter they install a second course that plays around the picnic areas. I hear they plan on adding a mountain bike trail and camping in the next 3-5 years. In the winter there are great cross country ski trails when the snow is deep enough. Also a bunch of ice fishing is always going on. The lake itself is good sized with a few homes on the west side and the park on the east side. It is shallow and the park has a nice sandy beach with a bunch of picnic tables and grills all over the place. There are a number of childrens play areas as well. There is also a new water spray zone for the kids. In the summer there is a concession stand and nice plumbed bathrooms. Sometimes I see weddings going on at the Gamble group center. Seems like a pretty good place to have a wedding. read more

Some of the most beautiful, clean, well cared for trails in the area! It's worth the $6 or the $30 yearly pass. In addition to the trails, they have a water park, disc golf course, and lake with a beach! My puppy and I can't wait to go back! read more

Independence Lake County Park - Gorgeous - Parks Near Me - Whitmore Lake, Michigan

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Waterpark is clean. Not structured for children close to teen age. This park is great for little kids. Don't plan on having snacks or food at the tables around the waterpark even if you buy them at concession stand. read more

Independence Lake County Park - Slide at waterpark... No food allowed at tables. - Parks Near Me - Whitmore Lake, Michigan

I come to the park to play disc golf and it's awesome. They have over 30 holes on a well manicured course. It's not easy, but it's so much fun. It's a very popular park and frequented by local pros who are often willing to play in groups. Very fun time read more

Recently my company picnic was held at the Gamble Group Center pavillion at this park - and it was perfect! We had a private area, with swimming, lifeguard, volleyball courts, horsehoe pits, covered pavillion w/ electricity, tons of running room and private parking. Our event was 6 hours long and the venue provided all the space we needed to truly enjoy ourselves. The staff (Lila, Brian, Kevin) were all kind and helpful and made accomodations when needed - they even let us set up the day before. This park is absolutely beautiful and tucked away off a dirt road. The park offers a myriad of additional activities like disc golf and hiking and I look forward to checking them out on my own time. Definitely worth planning an event here. read more

This is an Awesome park! I will definitely go back biking here Again ! Its perfect 4 biking, walking or a picnic. PS... There is a dirt road.. read more

Awesome park, awesome disc golf course. In response to the review that mentions the difficulty of getting there, better to stay on North Territorial all the way to Jennings Rd and then turn north. This will get you there with a few less potholes. read more

My friend rented the pavilion for a his birthday party and it was pretty great! The bathrooms are decent and all the kid stuff is great. They even have horseshoe pits. Not allowed to drink beer at this park without a permit though. read more

Always a favorite place to go during the cool weather months . It's a really nice place to take the dogs out walking.

Very disappointed at the change made to the spray zone at Independence Lake this year (2013). The new spray zone is now located 2 miles from the beach. There is no pool in the spray zone and no lake access. And now, in addition to paying to get in to the park, you have to pay to enter the gated spray zone. My kids used to love running back and forth between the spray zone and the lake. Now they have to choose one or the other. The new spray zone is obviously targeted at younger kids. If you happen to have older kids with you, they will be bored / disappointed. My children range in age from 5 - 10 and were bored with the spray park in 30 minutes. Between the increase cost of entering the spray zone, and the lack of swimming access there, we will not be spending any more time or money at Independence Lake. We can pay a little more somewhere else and get a much better family experience. read more

My 2 year old has a blast every time we go - whether it's to the Splash Park or the beach! (I particularly like the cleanliness of the Splash Park, including the restrooms - very well maintained) read more

This is a nice park, but the children's splash park was my favorite part! It was so much fun, even for my teenage niece! When we went, the beach was closed (because of an algae bloom) but we've been there before & it was nice as well. The park is inexpensive & entertaining, I would recommend it for a day of affordable fun!!! read more

Absolutely beautiful and well kept. Can't wait to go biking on the many trails or kayaking in the lake next time.

We took our daughters, both under four years of age, to the water park at Independence Lake. It was age appropriate for my 2.5 year old, who laughed, ran, and played in the water. My younger daughter can't walk yet so she had to have her feet dangled into the fountains. It was good for her, too. The park was clean, it was nice, it wasn't busy, it was affordable, and even the bathrooms were in decent shape. I've seen some county park bathrooms. These were superior in every way. There were two water slides, a small one for little kids and parents with kids, and a larger one for those who wanted more speed. There were spray fountains and buckets that dumped water and hoses to shoot at other people. It's geared for kids 1ish and upward but I'm sure anyone in middle school will frown and wrinkle their nose. It's not geared for high schoolers in anyway. It might make for an entertaining third date for those of you who aren't chasing little humans all the time. We didn't order food or drinks so I can't speak to concessions but we were able to enjoy a hot afternoon on a Saturday without thousands of people crowding around. We'll be back again since it's 15 minutes from Ann Arbor. read more

I love this park! Plenty of trails for me and my dog to walk! I take my little brother here for hiking and swimming all the time.

Love this park! My kids had so much fun at the waterpark. Very clean and snack prices are reasonable too.