This hidden gem tucked amongst residential homes boasts a paved walking trial through mature forest and wetlands. A hotspot for spring migration and a wonderful place to explore nature year-round. Nature Center: Admire the water feature, watch birds coming to the feeders, meet the animal residents, hands-on activities/exploration, birthday parties, and register for one of their programs/events. Story Book Trail: Quick loop near the nature center with stories that change every season. 10/10 Family Friendly! read more

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I love coming to the nature trail with my doggos! It offers an abundance of shade on a hot summer day!! The trail is very well maintained with lots of trail markers. I'd rate it an easy trail with a few different paths to take all under 2 miles or so. We've spotted a lot of nature life and it's a very peaceful and relaxing walk. The nature center even hosts a few events for the public to register. There's a few spots to sit and enjoy the nature scale and surrounding sounds, a pond by the nature center, and a story book trail for the kiddos! read more

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I only come here to walk the paths. Nice meandering paved walkway surrounded by nature. I've seen a ton of squirrels, some rabbits and a deer while on my walks. It's about 1.5 miles round trip if you do the whole thing. read more

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I absolutely loved attending this, Nature Center! It is a Hidden gem that has lots of activities for all! I really enjoyed seeing the 6 different native species and reading about each and every one of them! Each display also offers braille for those who are visually impaired, but still want to learn. Their sensory trail has a wide range of different textures for children to familiarize themselves with. Not to mention the story-book trail features a read-aloud rhyming picture telling book that describes all types of critters, what sounds they make and if they have a distinct smell that sets them apart from the rest. Walking the trail was very easy as the road is well paved with little to no inclines. It is a wide path perfect for two lane traffic plus space for bikes to pass by! I noticed benches and navigation within a 5-minute radius as well as several waste stations (which weren't too full!) also, within close proximity! I took my dog with me, and we loved seeing all the chipmunks and squirrels as well as hearing birds and woodpeckers! The trails are definitely full of life, and we can't wait to go back! read more

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It's been so long since the weather's been nice that I forgot what it feels like to be outside and see the sunshine. A friend of mine wanted to meet up here for some walking so we could stretch our legs, and I joined them in the fun. I'm familiar with the Red Oaks park system as they have a few spots here in town. There's the water park, dog park, nature center and I believe the golf course. There might be more, but these are the four major ones. Pulling in, the parking is extremely limited which was surprising even for a nature trail/center. There might have been additional parking by the nature center, but it A) wasn't open due to Covid and B), is one lane back and I wasn't willing to risk it over a parking space. Some people were parked on the Grassy Knoll (not to be confused with the grassy knoll where JFK was shot back in 1963, but that's a different location/thing. I digress and apologize.) It was sad that people were parked on the grassy knoll because its not appealing to the eye for ME. Secondly, the paths are wide and well maintained with benches and one singular map close to the main path once you walk in. It doesn't even give you a star to show you that "you are here" or anything. UGH. Because I love getting lost in the woods, as that sounds like so much fun so I can get eaten by bugs, bears or axe murderers. Anyway, its a dog friendly path so we got to pet and see many dogs along the way. All of them were leashed and friendly, which is a bonus and some folks were even wandering into the woods to explore or take photos. There was also a pond and plenty of shade so if you broke a sweat you didn't pass out from heat exhaustion. I also did not see any watering fountains, one garbage can and one singular port a potty by the nature center. This was a fail on my radar for many reasons. First, you close the nature center due to Covid, but you have one nasty port a potty, which is a million times more disgusting then anything else in the world? That makes ZERO sense. Sure, don't get 10 million diseases from the port of germs. I feel like theirs a million better parks then this place and go across the street to the dog park and hang out there. Damn you Michigan parks, get it together! read more

Over the years, Red Oaks Nature Center has always been a favorite. The walking and biking path winds through the woods, offering just over a mile of wooded trails. The nature center itself is situated in the center of the paths, giving easy access to all of the trails. Inside, there are small animals to view, along with an assortment of other learning activities for kids. read more

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I'm shocked at so few reviews about this gem in the Oakland County Park System. Perhaps it's for the better. Except during free open houses, this sliver of semi-wild woodland nestled in the heart of densely urbanized Madison Heights is rarely busy. You might cross paths with an avid bird watcher or a family ambling by with their dog. However, after leaving the pint-sized parking lot, the sounds of nature finally drown out the roar of city life: little traffic, few beeps or honks, no noise from the hustle and bustle of so many lives. Instead the shiver of maple and oak leaves mingling with dancing cottonwood branches acts as a screen against sound and sunlight. Michigan once used to be covered in these Carolinian forests, though few slivers in the metro area remain. Even fewer without a subdivision stuck under them, so for the residents of Royal Oak, Birmingham, Berkley, and Ferndale, this is our nearest parkland retreat short of the zoo. Serviced by a long, narrow parking lot outside and one closer at hand, the trail system weaves through the trees. Paved walkways mean you can bring your pets and your bikes with equal ease -- but no off-trail mountain bikers, thanks. This is for the slow roll, the meandering amble, the wander. Take out your earbuds and listen to the cries of chipmunks, whistling birds, and the drone of insects. Needless to say, in summer, bring your favourite bug repellent as mosquitoes appear wherever it's been watery and still. Year-round, Red Oaks presents fascinating glimpses into the natural world. The vernal pond filling up in March is followed by frog songs and many a very opportunistic duck. Summer lends a cool glory under a verdant arch of leaves, lending relief from the incessant heat. Secreted benches allow a spot to enjoy tea, coffee or cider in the cooler months, and chug your water bottle while watching a hawk swooping around for a meal in utter silence. Even in the dead of winter, it's another world in here, apart from the grim grey. The nature centre itself is magnificent, a lodge-style building recently renovated, with a huge stone fireplace, a pool for native turtles, and specimens from smaller friends in the forest. See a toad or a shy amphibian! The staff are knowledgeable and happily recount plant and animal sightings. A children's storybook trail is essential for anyone with kids under 10, offering a great series of 'pages' from a naturalist's storybook to read while wandering a gentle, easy trail (of course paved). I held my son's birthday party here, and it was worth every last penny. $10 per child while learning about Michigan flora and fauna in the event room was fantastic! Val, one of the specialists, is a former teacher and it shows, for she engaged with the kids and kept them enthralled until it was time for cake. Other events are held here through the year including storytime, crafts, interpretive walks and more. Red Oaks is an invaluable addition to the local community. read more

Hidden little joy! Across the way from the water park, pass the golf course and you'll stumble upon this park. Parking passes needed. Paved trails. .6,.6 and a .1 trail marked. Personally i like more distance in my trails so my dogs and i can run them but we can loop. Good looking area. Trash kids and dog bags around. Not a lot of people on a beautiful holiday. read more

Red Oaks Nature Center - Map - Kids Activities Near Me - Madison Heights, Michigan

This is a cute/quaint little nature center nestled in the middle of "Friendship Woods" nature area in Madison Heights (just across 13 Mile from the Red Oaks Water Park entrance). It's a great place to bring kids for a learning/enrichment experience, or for adults to go unwind for a few minutes/hours. There are outdoor and indoor ponds stocked with fish and turtles. Plus some assorted snakes/frogs/turtles/fish in aquariums inside the nature center. The nature center is also filled with taxidermied critters and games/activities for kids. There is a classroom where the occasional course/seminar can be given. There is a small but dedicated and passionate staff on hand that are happy to answer any and all questions you may have. The real gem of this place is Friendship Woods itself. Containing about a mile and a half of paved hiking trails, it is fully accessible for foot traffic as well as bikes/wheelchairs and XX Skiing (in the Winter). It is also dog friendly so it's a great place to take your pooch for a stroll! It's not uncommon to see fox, deer, squirrels, chipmunks as well as all sorts of assorted birds and fauna while out on these trails. Note that in order to park here you'll need to have an Oakland County Parks motor vehicle pass (available for $30 to county residents, I believe they are also sold here). They won't check you for it on the way in but if the Sheriff's dept happens to swing through on a patrol they might put a ticket on your car. Which would be lame. read more

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I really enjoyed my time here. Miles of trails, paved cement mind you, not crowded, dog waste bags and trash cans every once in a while. It's not the quietest, there are houses on the perimeters and an elementary school (shudder), but I imagine that will resolve in the summer. There are some peaceful areas though and I thoroughly appreciated the upkeep. read more

Red Oaks Nature Center - Stretch of trail. - Kids Activities Near Me - Madison Heights, Michigan

When we went here, the building was closed due to Covid. But the trail is cute and nice for a walk with your kids, dogs, or just yourself. There is a convenient parking and several short trails. There is a cute fountain in front of Nature building and behind it there is a picnic area. What I don't usually like is short trails because we were driving all the way here to spend 30 minutes max on our walk. read more

I do not think a lot of people realize how beautiful this nature center is. I discovered it on a photoshoot one day, but I have been living in the area for years now without knowing of its existence. If you never heard of it you will probably never go there because of how closed off it is. There's a small entrance and a narrow trail that leads to the center itself. You can walk, jog, by yourself or with your dog throughout the area. The lighting is amazing and its nice for taking pictures during a special occasion such as an engagement pre shoot or wedding pre shoot. Where you park your car and the entrance of the trail itself are but a short distance. I would recommend going in and checking the place out during the morning or before it turns dark since its a bit closed off it might not be the safest (standard safety assumption it could be well patrolled but not sure since it was my first time.) The place is kid friendly and of course animal inclusive. They have places to throw out waste from your pet along the path. read more

Just went here today! I took my grandmother who I push in a wheelchair. The paved trails were very easy to navigate. We will go back here often as she liked the fresh air. read more

Red Oaks Nature Center - Grams first trip to Madison heights nature center - Kids Activities Near Me - Madison Heights, Michigan

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