Repair Station

These trailhead kiosks are set in concrete pads enabling greater access to park and trail information. The associated bicycle repair stations can double as wheelchair repair stations.

Biking

Stop by Oakwoods Metropark to enjoy a 3-mile Hike-Bike Trail that winds along the Huron River. You’ll find open fields, lush woodlands and plenty of wildlife along the way. The trail is relatively flat with a few moderate hills and continues into Willow Metropark at the southern end of the park at Willow Road. 

For longer rides, continue south through the City of Flat Rock and all the way to Lake Erie Metropark or ride north all the way to Lower Huron Metropark. These trail segments are part of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Take your canoe or kayak out for a journey among the backwaters of the Huron River. Our 1-mile Walk-In-The-Water canoe trail begins behind the Nature Center and takes paddlers among the islands and past scenic shorelines where you might spot ducks, muskrats, swans, mink and white-tailed deer.

If you have a longer trip in mind, the Huron River National Water Trail is the place to be, with canoe camping available at the Walnut Grove Campground located in Lower Huron Metropark, permit required. The Huron River has been designated as the 18th trail of the National Water Trail System, joining a network of nation exemplary water trails from Puget Sound to the Hudson River.

Please note, the Flat Rock Dam portage located downstream of Oakwoods Metropark is temporarily closed at Flat Rock Metal. Alternate portage arrangements should be planned in advance.

Motor City Canoe And Kayak Rental 

Want to paddle but don’t have your own canoe or kayak? Motor City Canoe & Kayak Rental is here to help, with rentals available daily. Start your journey at Lower Huron, Willow or Oakwoods Metropark and see where the river takes you. Rentals available daily from May through August, weather and river conditions permitting.

Click here to learn more or to make a reservation.

Voyageur Canoe

Paddle along the slow-moving waters of the Huron River in our 18 passenger Voyageur canoe, as an interpreter shares a bit of history. Glide along a 1-mile route past picturesque woodlands with a chance to spot a white-tailed deer foraging near the shoreline. The tour is conducted on a 34-foot replica birchbark canoe. For more information or to reserve a trip, contact (734) 782-3956.

Rates

• Child Rate – $5 per child
• Adult Rate – $6 per adult
• Group Rate (hourly rate, minimum 12 people) – $75

Canoeing & Kayaking

Take your canoe or kayak out for a journey among the backwaters of the Huron River. Our 1-mile Walk-In-The-Water canoe trail begins behind the Nature Center and takes paddlers among the islands and past scenic shorelines where you might spot ducks, muskrats, swans, mink and white-tailed deer.

If you have a longer trip in mind, the Huron River National Water Trail is the place to be, with canoe camping available at the Walnut Grove Campground located in Lower Huron Metropark, permit required. The Huron River has been designated as the 18th trail of the National Water Trail System, joining a network of nation exemplary water trails from Puget Sound to the Hudson River.

Please note, the Flat Rock Dam portage located downstream of Oakwoods Metropark is temporarily closed at Flat Rock Metal. Alternate portage arrangements should be planned in advance.

Motor City Canoe And Kayak Rental 

Want to paddle but don’t have your own canoe or kayak? Motor City Canoe & Kayak Rental is here to help, with rentals available daily. Start your journey at Lower Huron, Willow or Oakwoods Metropark and see where the river takes you. Rentals available daily from May through August, weather and river conditions permitting.

Click here to learn more or to make a reservation.

Voyageur Canoe

Paddle along the slow-moving waters of the Huron River in our 18 passenger Voyageur canoe, as an interpreter shares a bit of history. Glide along a 1-mile route past picturesque woodlands with a chance to spot a white-tailed deer foraging near the shoreline. The tour is conducted on a 34-foot replica birchbark canoe. For more information or to reserve a trip, contact (734) 782-3956.

Rates

• Child Rate – $5 per child
• Adult Rate – $6 per adult
• Group Rate (hourly rate, minimum 12 people) – $75

Cross-Country Skiing 

Enjoy skiing on marked, classically groomed trails that wind their way through Oakwoods Metropark or nearby Willow Metropark (conditions permitting). Cross-country skiing is also allowed throughout nearby Lower Huron Metropark, with the exception of the Group Camp area. Trails at Lower Huron Metropark are not marked nor groomed. 

Fishing

Rustle up some bait and come out to Oakwoods Metropark for some great fishing. Fish from your kayak or along the shore of the Huron River while you enjoy the gentle current and numerous coves, sloughs and inlets – perfect habitats for bass, sunfish, steelhead and coho salmon.  

Shoreline fishing is allowed in designated areas only. 

A valid Michigan Fishing License or Sportsperson’s License is required for all anglers age 17 and up. 

Click here to view the Eat Safe Fish Guides from MDHHS.

Hiking 

Hike-Bike Trail

For longer hikes on paved trails, our 3-mile hike-bike trail here at Oakwoods Metropark also connects you to Willow and Lower Huron Metroparks with nearly 30 miles of connected trails. An 11-mile connecting trail to Lake Erie Metropark can further extend your hiking experience up to 49 total miles when you make it a round trip. All of these paved trail segments are part of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail. 

Nature Trails

Oakwoods is the flattest of the Metroparks, which makes its trails particularly appealing. All trails (except Split Log being hard surface) are a mix of gravel and hard packed, and mostly flat with the exception of two small hills on the back side of Long Bark Trail. The land features tall trees, wonderful woodland scenery, and the Huron River’s backwaters. Five nature trails guide the visitors through the land’s important natural features:

SPLIT LOG – 700 Feet
A hard surface, all weather trail ideal for people with special accessibility needs, seniors and people with baby strollers. This short, wooded trail gives you the sights and the sounds of a Cattail Marsh while winding you through the trees to pass our mightiest Burr Oak.

BUTTERFLY VIEWING AREA – .25 MILE
While at the park, stop at the Cedar Knoll Picnic Area to hike the nearby Butterfly Viewing trail where butterflies and other insects dominate. This flora enriched area has been a designated “Monarch Butterfly Waystation” since 2008.

BIG TREE – .75 MILE
A short woodland trail with a large variety of hardwood trees, and some interesting natural features along the way; an ancient post-glacial sand bar and a vernal pond that provides a unique home for many creatures in the spring and fall.

SKY-COME-DOWN – 1 MILE
Some woods, some fields and some in-between “edge” areas typify this trail. A 3-acre pond enhances its diversity and attractiveness of this trail to a variety of wildlife. This is the most diverse trail in terms of unique habitats and ecosystems.

LONG BARK – 2 MILES
After sampling the sights and sounds along the Huron River, this trail plunges deep into the woods where woodpeckers, squirrels, and other forest dwellers can be seen. Plants compete quietly for space and resources, and the trees give way to multiple wetlands.

Know before you go: 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.

Picnicking

Oakwoods Metropark provides the perfect setting for your next picnic. Picnic with friends or family with views of the Huron River. 

Nature Center 

Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center is the perfect place to learn more about the animals and wildlife of the area. An updated indoor pond makes the turtles easier to see.

The Nature Center hosts interactive educational programs throughout the year, along with special events. Nearby, the Nature Study Area offers 350-acres of natural areas, featuring an ancient sandbar, backwater trail for canoeists, five nature trails, a butterfly garden and a 3-acre pond.

Click here to learn more about the nature center. 

Horseback Riding

Bring your horse over to Oakwoods Metropark to ride more than 5 miles of equestrian trails. The staging area is located 1 mile into the park, just past the railroad tracks. Pass through mature hardwood trees and expansive meadows, observe wildlife and waterfowl along the way.  

A release and Metroparks Bridle Tag are required in advance and are available at the Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center.