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    Kensington Metropark

    4.4 (89 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Lake and bridge
    Katelynn D.

    Great place to walk or ride your bike! This park is kept clean and the pavement is smooth

    Pedal boats
    Katalina G.

    Lots of things to do and see here. You can rent kayaks, canoes, boats, pedal boats, etc. biking trails and plenty of bbq grills for cooking out. Also several beaches you can go swim at. A great place to spend a summer day. Looking forward to going back.

    Karen W.

    Kensington is a gem of a park with something to do for everyone. You can host a family picnic, rent a kayak/canoe/paddleboard or paddle boar and explore the lake, you can hike the trails, go on a bike ride and so much more. We enjoy renting kayaks here as it is cheaper than the other options close by. $10/hr for a single or $15/hr for a 2 person. We pack a lunch and explore the lake looking for wildlife and enjoy our lunch while getting some sunshine. Afterwards, it's nice to take a walk on the trails, go down to the beach area or check out the nature center where you can see a very cool hawk. Be sure to have a metro park pass otherwise its $10 daily fee to enter the park.

    Biking with a view
    John H.

    One of the larger metroparks and my favorite for a long bike ride around the lake. Multiple hiking trails and picnic spots.

    Deb M.

    Up until this spring I had been to this park maybe once or twice. Then came 2020 and Covid 19 and lots of time indoors. When the weather finally got nicer I needed to get out but a lot of businesses and activities were still closed. Perfect time to go to the park. The nature trails were peaceful and therapeutic. There really something for everyone to see and do here. Picnicking, fishing, hanging out in the beach, learning about nature in the nature center, and my favorite, photography. The variety of birds is unbelievable, not to mention squirrels, chipmunks, cranes, turkeys, and eagles. It's summer now, the worst of Covid-19 is hopefully over and things have started to reopen, but I will continue going to Kensington because it's quickly become one of my favorite places.

    What? No beach at Lake Erie Metropark? Kensington to the rescue!
    Kevin J.

    As an eastsider I've only been to Kensington twice but it's nice enough I can wish it was closer than the western outskirts of Oakland county. My mom asked me to compare it to Metro Beach, er, Lake St. Clair metropark, but it's a lot more like Stony Creek. You get a lake to enjoy but there's much more sprawling park besides. I first visited Kensington in 2017 and cycled the bike trails around Kent Lake, and then some. The trails jut off clear out of the park, onto Island Lake Recreation Area on one side, and who knows where on the other. Not me, as I smoked too much herb that day and got myself good and lost on my maiden voyage here. Not exactly the park's fault, and my experience was lovely up to that point, so word to the wise, keep your eyes on maps and signs, and have your phone at least somewhat charged. I rolled up to my car at like 7% in the dark, thankful for Google maps that day. My second trip to Kensington was on August 24th of this wacky year of 2020 where the main draw was the beach. A friend and I descended upon Maple Beach, one of two this park has on Kent Lake. The water was refreshing but pretty shallow almost all the way to the buoys. Not a lot of real estate for floating, swimming or just standing in shoulder deep water for folks of a taller persuasion, but all in all not a bad beach on a hot summer evening. Maybe some other time I can try out Martindale beach on the other side of the lake and offer my thoughts on that. After beach time my homie Aaron and I hit up the bike trails with no directional mishaps. He knows Kensington better, has disc golfed there, and we didn't embark on anything as epic in length as the full Kent Lake loop. Still, we cycled some smooth paved paths with sweeping curving elevation changes that were exhilarating in some places, and easier to just disembark to walk your bike uphill in others. A lot of fun though we cut it short in the dwindling daylight. This park is a gem. Maybe sometime I'll make it out here earlier to make a day of it, and wander over to the adjacent Island Lake Recreation Area since I might as well if I make the haul out to the west side exurbs.

    Deanna D.

    This place is so much fun to visit. Great place for nature walks and seeing the birds. Love the water to look at as well. Nice place to go during this pandemic. Great for a picnic and also highly recommend to explore during the fall.

    This is my favorite park for biking and walking. I go all summer long, it's always well maintained. Great place to have a family event or just to have lunch by the water.

    Annette J.

    Kensington is a GREAT park. There are so many things available to do there in the summer time, and all seasons actually, but summer is when it really shines. They really have it all--a water park, beaches, walking/hiking/biking trails, nature walks filled with animals to observe, picnic areas with grills, fishing, boating/kayak rentals, a petting zoo (I once saw baby pigs being born!), and plenty of shady trees to just lie under for an afternoon. There's a daily entrance fee of $10 and there's lots of parking at each "attraction" which is nice. Most recently we came during Labor Day weekend and though it was probably at its peak visitor numbers it didn't feel overwhelming in the least. FYI--not the most dog-friendly, though. No dogs on the beaches, the boating rentals, the nature trails (this makes the most sense to me since you don't want dogs barking at the animals), etc. I brought my pup with hopes of taking him to the beach portion for a swim but alas, it was not meant to be. But we picked a few trails to explore and sat and had snacks under a tree and relaxed for a few hours instead.

    It's a very nice park. Beautiful trails and lots to photograph. Loved the Island Queen boat tour. We saw the eagle's nest and a couple eagles. We enjoyed the fishing. Sadly,some people do not follow the rules about not feeding the wildlife. You can feed the smaller birds though. Their are many signs that tell you not to feed the wildlife and it's for the good of the wildlife and people. Since to many people are not following the rules the wildlife expect and beg for food.They are too aggressive. Also,be careful this time of year with the Sandhill cranes since they have babies. We did not provoke them and they were aggressive towards us. I came a few weeks ago and had no problem with the cranes,that was before the babies were born. So that was the difference. This time once on the trail and once near the boardwalk. On the trail we came across two cranes so we stood still to let them walk by us. One of them came right up to me and hissed. I was afraid he was going to hurt me. Thankfully a women came and distracted them and they walked away. She told us they have pecked at her before. Then further down we were about to walk on the boardwalk when we saw two cranes again. They ran towards us so we ran across the road and they followed us. Thankfully we were close to the Nature Center. That kind of shook me up. Please,follow the rules! We will come back definately to fish. I will come back to walk the trails but never again this time of year. I told the man working at the Nature Center what happened. He said if a crane does that to spread your arms out wide and to clap once loudly. They will leave you alone.

    Sheeps!
    Jadranka H.

    When I need a change from the busy city life that I live in, I come here! Can't hear the busy honking traffic and planes flying above lining up on their flight route to land. As you approach the park from Milford Rd you've just encountered at that moment what nature looks and feels like. On the right you'll see Kent Lake filled with at least 100+ white swans sitting with some black swans and sandhill cranes. All those birds together make it sound like there's an orchestra being performed naturally and but loudly. We make our way to the farmhouse and the staff there are always friendly and willing to assist us when needed. Lots of the areas are locked up due to it being closed for the season hours, which changes often. So get there early to take advantage of all what they have to offer. Such as the hay wagon ride, feeding the animals for lunch, observing the chicken laying eggs and being shown how to make maple syrup from the forest. There is so much more that I can continue to write more but that would take for ever. (Stay tune for reviews to come). Just remember to bring some wild bird seeds for your bird and chipmunk trail walk, they eat it right out of your hand. This is my first choice in the Southeast Michigan area to come to first. If your looking for fun, romance, picnic, skating, horseback riding, skiing, love, sledding, bike riding, etc.....I can go on, but this place is the heavenly place you'll find near you. Give it a try and let me know what you went looking for!

    Fun in the sun!
    Mj J.

    I just loved our time spent at Kensington this summer. It's a little bit of drive for us, but we have really spent a lot of time this summer trying to get outdoors as much as possible, when his allergies are not giving him a challenge. We enjoy hiking the through the nature trails, finding a private quiet area to enjoy our picnic lunch, and simply enjoy time with each other. Believe it or not, I have tried many outdoors activities, but this was my very first time kayaking....crazy, I know! lol Kensington is a HUGE park and lucky for us they also rent kayaks. The rentals are on $10 an hour, which we found to be very reasonable. My friend has kayaked many times, so he was able to assist me. I can't tell you how much fun we had. We have decided that we are going to purchase some kayaks, as we plan to spend more time enjoying Michigan and the beautiful lakes. We've been able to travel the state a lot this summer and we think it will be a good investment. If you happen to be in the area, or you are willing to take a little drive, Kensington is a true gem!

    Water park

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    2 months ago

    Kensington Metropark is a huge playground for year round outdoor fun. The options are nearly endless.

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    2 years ago

    If you want to attend the fireworks, the splash pad beach has the best view. You'll want to get there early!!

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    5 years ago

    Great Metropark! Perfect for the kids with so much to do! Farm, nature center, beach, splash pad, etc. plus, it's a beautiful area!

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    13 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Awesome park!!! They take great care of everything, especially salting in the winters

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    6 years ago

    Kensington is a great park! There is so much to do. They also host a great disc golf tournament in the summer

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Kensington Metropark

    Review Highlights - Kensington Metropark

    On the right you'll see Kent Lake filled with at least 100+ white swans sitting with some black swans and sandhill cranes.

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    Huron Meadows Metropark

    Huron Meadows Metropark

    4.0
    (2 reviews)
    9.6 mi

    If you must hike I definitely suggest coming here especially in the fall. It was so peaceful - No…read morebugs in sight. The markers for hiking are more in the trail so if you're expecting to see them as soon as you walk on to the park then you might not. Restrooms were clean and available also benches and picnic tables were available throughout the trail. Highly recommend this park even if it's just for a slow stroll. Happy hiking!!!

    This Metropark is very mid. The trails are decent even if it was very buggy on the August afternoon…read moreI hiked a couple of them. I applied bug spray very liberally and the 'squitos were still all over me like I was the blood buffet. If only I cross country skied I wouldn't have to worry about that sort of thing. Trails, fishing, golf, a couple ball fields and picnic tables. Huron Meadows has nowhere near the amenities of the upper tier of the Metroparks but you can probably find some zen spots out in nature here. I will say it's pretty savvy for the chain to put a park out in Livingston County as they can soak the taxpayers with a millage for the whole park system. Sure, Kensington, the crown jewel is barely over the border into Oakland County but with Huron Meadows, Livingston gets to have a Metropark of its own. It could use some improvements - disc golf, a sledding hill, a paved bike trail or dirt mountain bike trails and a pool would all help round out the park's offerings. Even one or two of these would do a lot for this park. As it is, there's some pretty scenery here, but it's not worth heading out of your way unless you're being a Huron-Clinton Metropark completist like me. Kensington and Hudson Mills are far nicer parks.

    Photos
    That sky and those clouds
    That sky and those clouds
    Maybe if you zoom in super hard you can see hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes
    Maybe if you zoom in super hard you can see hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes
    A natural canopy on a hot August day

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    A natural canopy on a hot August day
    Nichols Arboretum

    Nichols Arboretum

    4.7
    (135 reviews)
    21.5 mi

    The best time to view the peony is end of May and begin of June. This blooming only happens on the…read moreshort duration of time. We were lucky to visit arboretum during this time on our trip to Ann Arbor. The peony garden can be reached in two locations. The best parking is near Ronald McDonald House of Charity Ann Arbor. That parking lot gets you direct access to the garden. The other parking near Nichols Drive and go the entrance by taking the first right trail to the top and reach the garden. The garden has 28 bed of flower beds. Each bed has the name of flower indicated. During the blooming time, there are a lot of visitors. Parking may be full. The flower is beautiful and the pedal open wide and bright. I got my peony moment during my visit. Some flower has fragrances smell. So don't forget to smell the flowers during your visit.

    The first time I came here in April and there were no flowers or green and everything was brown!…read more I came back on the last day of May with my husband and it looked completely different!! There is a lot of green everywhere and soo many different flowers (especially the peonies before they were vandalized)!! We parked in the back where it is about a 15-20 min walk to the peonies. It was a nice and mostly shaded walk. We even saw a new bird (Great Crested Flycatcher)! I think it's only worth coming for the peonies but otherwise, it's free (unless you park in the front and then you have to pay).

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    Nichols Arboretum
    Nichols Arboretum
    Blue's Tree - an Eastern White Pine, the state tree of Michigan @ The Arb!

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    Blue's Tree - an Eastern White Pine, the state tree of Michigan @ The Arb!
    Mill Pond

    Mill Pond

    4.0
    (11 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    Been going to the mill pond for the last 30 years. Loved the old raft races. The mill pond has been…read moreand is still a beautiful park. The recent updates are very nice but it is an absolute and total failure on behalf of the City counsel to price any sand all entertainment out. I have yet to see a concert there since the updates, the weekly car show along with Sunday concerts were a long standing tradition and fantastic. It is a shame to see the park theater empty of any entertainment like it used to be. Make the price affordable or free to use, after all it is tax dollars that paid for it.

    Nice little scenic park that is centered on walk way around Mill Pond in downtown Brighton. This…read morepond is one of the focal points for downtown and is adjacent to Main street and its restaurants and shops. Integral with this park you will find a very nice large children's play area with multiple wooden structures, Outdoor fire pit, Veterans memorial, and outdoor concert area. Overall it is a very nice and well thought park that really adds a lot to downtown Brighton and is a great example why this small city is so desirable and a destination spot for spending a day or nite downtown. One of my favorite things to do when visiting my son who lives downtown is to walk to Mill Pond with my grandkids, let them play at the park and end up eating lunch there and/or getting them ice cream. Makes for an excellent and memorable day!

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    Mill Pond
    Mill Pond
    Mill Pond

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    Kensington Metropark - parks - Updated June 2026

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