Biking 

Get rolling on our eight miles of paved Hike-Bike Trail to enjoy the beauty of the park’s diverse habitats. It is a 3-mile ride out with a 2-mile loop and a 3-mile ride back. The trailhead is located at the Meadowlark Picnic Area.

Pets on a six-foot leash are permitted. Motor vehicles and horses are prohibited. 

Cross-Country Skiing

Celebrate a fresh snowfall by cross-country skiing at Indian Springs Metropark. Glide across nearly 12 miles of trails on varied terrain, passing through scenic wooded areas and frozen wetlands, or try the open expanses on the golf course.

The trails are groomed for classic / traditional Nordic skiing and accommodate beginner and intermediate skiers.  Rentals are not available at this park.

Environmental Discovery Center 

Explore the diversity of Southeast Michigan’s native habitats at Indian Springs Metropark’s Environmental Discovery Center (EDC). This center is a gateway into the complexity and beauty of prairies, wetlands and woods. The EDC features 60 acres of restored native prairie ecosystems. The award-winning building also contains classrooms, a biology lab and a 150-person event room used for a variety of public or private events. The interactive exhibits feature the diversity of the park’s ecosystems, including an underwater pond viewing room.

Click here to learn more about the Environmental Discovery Center.  

Horseback Riding

Enjoy the 2.5-mile equestrian trail loop within Indian Springs Metropark. The trail loop is connects to more than 17 miles of equestrian trails at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. 

Staging is not available at Indian Springs Metropark but is available at the staging area located at the end of Maceday Road within Pontiac Lake Recreation area. There is another staging area located on Teggerdine Road between White Lake and Pontiac Lake Roads.

Golf 

Our 6,688-yard, par-71 course features rolling fairways and undulating greens and is regarded as one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the area. Test your skills on the notorious par-5 13th hole that plays 602 yards from the tips.

Food and beverages are available. Senior rates are available for guests age 55 and older. Junior rates are available for guests age 20 and younger. Tee times can be made up to 14 days in advance. An accessible golf cart is available for use at each golf course, please call 24 hours in advance to reserve. Indian Springs Metropark golf course is one of eight Huron-Clinton Metropark courses in Southeast Michigan. 

Click here to learn more or book a tee time.

Hiking 

Hike-Bike Trail

Enjoy a stroll on our eight miles of paved Hike-Bike Trail while taking in the beauty of the park’s diverse habitats. It is a 3-mile walk out with a 2-mile loop and a 3-mile walk back. The trailhead is located at the Meadowlark Picnic Area. Pets on a six-foot leash are permitted. 

Nature Trails

Explore our self-guided nature trails:

In addition to the nature trails described below, there are a few more paths  that lead to the Lower Pond boardwalk, a lovely place to view wetlands, and the Native Plant Garden, where a great deal of biodiversity in prairie plants is visible. These trails have elevation changes and are in the full sun.

POND PROMENADE – 1.4 MILES
The trail is a short trail beginning at the Environmental Discovery Center, with a mix of shade and sun on this compact gravel and grass trail a well as steep elevation changes.

TURKEYFOOT TRAIL – .5 MILE or LUPINE LOOP – .75 MILE
Explore a 60 acre prairie restoration along these two trails. Native grasses and wildflowers are at their best in late summer and early fall. Head to the Outwash Overlook for a panoramic view from the highest point in the park. This compact gravel trail has elevation changes and is in full sun.

PONDSIDE TRAIL – .25 MILE
This paved trail beginning at the Park Office provides a flat, accessible walk around a wooded pond area. Look for wetland birds and turtles as you walk through the dappled shade.

WOODLAND TRAIL – 3.25 MILES
Traverse the Woodland Trail to experience the Great Huron Swamp, with its tall trees and vernal pools. This area is known for spring ephemeral wildflowers, beautiful red, orange and yellow leaves in the fall and peaceful snowy walks in the winter. These compact gravel trails are relatively flat. Boardwalks are in place to cross the river and wetlands. There is plentiful shade when the trees have leaves. Crosscut Shortcut (3/4 mile), Hunter’s Ridge Shortcut (1.25 mile), and Sawmill Shortcut (2 miles) are options for a shorter walk than completing the entire Woodland Trail.

FARMLAND TRAIL – 1.5 MILES
This trail leads visitors through a mix of old farm fields and wooded areas. Farm equipment used long ago is visible along the trail. There is a mix of shade and sun.

Know before you go: The trails are open during posted park hours. Occasionally woodland trails may be blocked with debris such as fallen tree limbs. Nature trails are not cleared or salted in the winter and may be snow-covered, slippery or muddy. Pets, bicycles and running are not permitted on the nature trails.

Spray ‘n’ Play 

Young children will enjoy the splash pad located within Indian Springs Metropark’s Spray ‘n’ Play. Get soaked by ground sprays, water cannons, and a dumping bucket. The spray park is located adjacent to other play features including a rock-climbing wall, cargo net, a fenced maze, a painted labyrinth, spinning buckets, and a hillside slide. 

Rentable shade shelters area available at the Spray ‘n’ Play.  Click here to reserve a shade shelter.

Hour of Operation:

• Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day
• 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (daily)

Sledding

Bring your sled or saucer to slide down the sledding hill in the Meadowlark Picnic Area. It’s a great hill for younger kids. 

Picnicking

Indian Springs Metropark provides the perfect setting for your next picnic. Picnic with friends or family amidst rolling hills, tree-lined lawns and beautiful views of the Environmental Discovery Center or nature.  

Picnic Shelters  

Reunions, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays and any other way your family gets together – make your event more eventful with the Metroparks! We have picnic shelters available at Indian Springs Metropark for all your event and gathering needs. They come in a wide range of sizes and locations within the park. Some are conveniently located near park amenities to add even more fun to your event – while others are more secluded for a more intimate event. 

Our locations allow you to bring your own food or catering, add bounce houses, music and so much more. 

Save some money – we’re offering weekday rentals at half price. Prices are already reflected online in our online booking tool.  

• All groups, regardless of size, are encouraged to pre-register to use a picnic shelter. Groups of 50 or more, those bringing in special equipment or hosting a special event are required to make reservations in advance.  
• Any vehicle driving off-road must obtain an off-road permit from the Metropark Office on the day of the picnic.  
• Park entry fees are not included in the shelter reservation fee. 

Click here to explore and reserve picnic shelters. 

Playground 

Located near the Spray ‘n’ Play are expansive playground opportunities. Our Adventure Playground has features for children ages 2-5 including spinners, spring rockers, a labyrinth, hillside slide and other climbing features. For children 5-12 it features a cabled net climber and rock-climbing wall. Finally, a playground built in 2024 was designed to be mobility friendly and accessible for children ages 5-12. Features include multiple slides, climbing obstacles, swings, jumpers, and a swing zip-line that spins. Paved walkways run throughout the area providing access to the many features.