Winter Bucket List Instagram Contest

Winter is here and we can’t wait to see all your winter photos from out in the Metroparks. To get you outside and active, we’ve started a contest on Instagram! Our Winter Bucket List contest is simple – share your photos from completing the Winter Bucket List activities with us using the hashtag #YourMetroparks and/or tagging us @MIMetroparks. EACH photo you post/winter activity you complete is an individual entry to win, which means you have multiple chances to win. The winner will receive a FREE 2022 annual pass.

The Winter Bucket List contest will run from January 18, 2022 to February 11, 2022. The winner will be announced on February 11 at noon on our Instagram Story. Visit our Instagram page @MIMetroparks to learn more details about the contest.

Need some ideas of where to capture those winning images? See below for more details on the different winter activities you can check off your bucket list in the Metroparks:

Go Sledding

Did someone say snow day?  Your Metroparks have great sledding hills. Load up the kids and sleds and come on out to coast down our hills, making great memories and wearing out the kiddos.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: Indian Springs Metropark, Kensington Metropark, Lake Erie Metropark, Lake St. Clair Metropark and Stony Creek Metropark

Go Cross-Country Skiing

Your Metroparks are the perfect place for cross country skiing. Whether you’re a beginner trying it for the first time or a marathon skier, we have the trails for you. Huron Meadows Metropark can even make it’s own snow when conditions are right, so even if Mother Nature doesn’t deliver the snow – we can. Get out and cross some country to check this activity off your bucket list.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: Hudson Mills Metropark, Huron Meadows Metropark, Indian Springs Metropark, Kensington Metropark, Lake Erie Metropark, Lake St. Clair Metropark, Oakwoods Metropark, Stony Creek Metropark, Willow Metropark

Those parks in bold have ski rental available when conditions permit.

Go Ice Skating

Skate on over to #YourMetroparks this winter! Glide, twist and twirl along the ice while enjoying scenic winter-time views. Of course we do have to wait until the conditions are right.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: Kensington Metropark, Lake St. Clair Metropark, Stony Creek Metropark

Go Fat Tire Biking

Mountain biking doesn’t have to end when the snow flies – bring your fat tire bikes to the Trolley Trails at Stony Creek Metropark for an unmatched experience, even in winter.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: Stony Creek Metropark

Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

You won’t find better sunrises or sunsets then at your Metroparks. Winter brings with it the opportunity to catch some pretty amazing beginnings and endings to your day.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: All 13 Metroparks

Go Ice Fishing

Hooked on ice fishing? Grab your shanty, bucket, pole and bait and head out to your Metroparks for some ice fishing.  When ice is thick enough, we provide the perfect place to drop your line in the water and catch some fish.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: Huron Meadows Metropark, Lake Erie Metropark, Lake St. Clair Metropark, Kensington Metropark, Stony Creek Metropark

Observe Winter Wildlife

From deer to birds to squirrels, you can come out and catch our wildlife at work in the winter foraging for food, enjoying a sunshine break or gather items to reinforce their homes.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: All 13 Metroparks

Attend an Outdoor Program

Our interpretive staff is ready to take you on an educational adventure in winter!  From evening owl prowls to tracking hikes to bonfire chats, you can come out and enjoy a program in winter and learn something new too. Visit our events calendar to see all that’s available and to register for programs.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: Hudson Mills, Indian Springs Metropark, Kensington Metropark, Lake Erie Metropark, Lake St. Clair Metropark, Oakwoods Metropark, Stony Creek Metropark

Explore the Trails

There are nearly 400 miles of trails to explore throughout your Metroparks. Our paved Hike-Bike Trails are maintained all winter long which means they are cleared and salted as needed for your safe enjoyment by foot, bike, handcycle, wheelchair or stroller. The rustic hiking and nature trails are sure to impress with scenic winter views and abundant wildlife. Remember these trails are natural surface so they could be uneven, snow covered and icy. Whichever trail you choose, we can guarantee you’ll be walkin’ in a winter wonderland.

Where You Can Check This Activity Off Your List: All 13 Metroparks

*Some of these activities are weather-dependent. Please check the Closures/Winter Conditions page to see up-to-date conditions and visit each park page for more information.