If you are looking for outdoor winter activities in Oakland County, then we have you covered. Bundle up for a leisurely stroll along a snowy trial, enjoy ice skating at a local park, or find the best sledding hill for your family. Here are some amazing outdoor winter activities to keep your family busy this winter.
In this article:
Best Sledding Hills in Oakland County
Tubing in Oakland County
Other Sledding Hills in Oakland County
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Oakland County
Other Rinks to Consider
Winter Storybook Trails
Downhill Skiing in Oakland County
Best Cross Country Skiing Locations
Best Sledding Hills in Oakland County
Outdoor Winter Activities at Bowers School Farm in Bloomfield Hills
The Bowers Farm Winter Park offers outdoor ice skating as well as tubing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through February. During the evening hours the course is lit with amazing lights. Snow tube rental is $6 for farm members while $8 for non-members.
Address: 1219 E Square Lake Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Website
Ambassador Park Sledding Hill in Madison Heights
This seven acre park in Madison Heights not only hosts one of the best sledding hills in metro Detroit, it is also home to a smaller hill and an ice rink. The large hill features a return path up the center of the hill, as well as a fast and smooth path for sledding.
Address: 600 E Thirteen Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Website
Sledding Hill at Beverly Hills Park
The Sledding Hill at Beverly Hills Park (aka Beverly Hills Village Park) is the perfect hill for sledding. It is located on Beverly Road, just west of Southfield Road. Furthermore, lot parking is available right off of Beverly Road. Beverly Park is a 34-acre park that not only offers an amazing sledding hill but also an ice skating rink in the winter. Sports lovers can enjoy sand volleyball, basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, disc golf as well as nature trails for hiking or biking. The park also hosts a large playground, pavilion, and restrooms. Finally, this park is home to a storybook trail and a Little Free Library.
Other Sledding Hills in Oakland County
- Ann Arbor, MI – Huron Hills Golf Course
- Birmingham, MI – Booth Park
- Birmingham, MI – Lincoln Hills Golf Course Sled Hill
- Brandon Township, MI, Brandon Township Community Park
- Farmington Hills, MI – Heritage Park
- Farmington, MI – Shiawassee Park
- Holly, MI – Mount Holly
- Lake Orion/Orion Charter Township – Jesse Decker Park
- Milford – Kensington Metropark
- New Boston, MI – Willow Creek Metropark
- Northville, MI – Cass Benton Park
- Oakland Lost Lake Nature Park
- Oak Park, MI – Shepherd Park (Hamilton Hill)
- Orion, MI – Jesse Decker Park
- Oxford Township, MI – Seymour Lake Park
- Rochester Hills, MI – Bloomer Park
- Rochester Hills, MI – Borden Park
- Waterford – Waterford Oaks County Park
- West Bloomfield, MI – Marshbank Park Sled Hill
- White Lake, MI Indian Springs Metropark
Outdoor Ice Skating in Oakland County
Oakland County not only offers plenty of places to sled, the county has plenty of opportunities to go ice skating too. There are several outdoor rinks, as well as ponds/lakes for skating. While most locations are free, some require admission. There are also a few that offer skate rental. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor ice skating locations in Oakland County.
Barnum Park Outdoor Ice Skating in Birmingham
Once the weather is cold enough for ice, guests can enjoy the large outdoor ice rink at Barnum Park. The rink is located at Frank Street and Purdy. The city crews will do their best to keep the ice clear, however if it isn’t clear, users are allowed to shovel the snow before use. Admission is free, but there is no skate rental available at this location.
Address: 1101-1399 Pierce St, Birmingham, MI 48009
Website
Bowers School Farm in Bloomfield Hills
The Bowers Farm Winter Park offers outdoor ice skating as well as tubing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through February. While there is no fee to skate, the facility does require that skaters fill out a waiver before they visit.
Address: 1219 E Square Lake Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Website
Riley Park Ice Rink in Farmington Hills
The outdoor ice skating ring at Riley Park is open daily, as long as weather permits. The rink opens daily at 10 am, and is open until 10 pm. On Friday and Saturday the rink is open until 11 pm. While skating is free to the public, there is no skate rental available.
Address: 33113 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI 48335
Website
Ambassador Park Outdoor Ice Skating in Madison Heights
This seven acre park in Madison Heights not only hosts one of the best sledding hills in metro Detroit, it is also home to an ice rink. The tennis court at Ambassador Park is converted into an outdoor ice rink until the end of winter. While skating is free to the public, there is no skate rental available.
Address: 600 E Thirteen Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Website
Other Outdoor Ice Skating Locations to Consider
Beverly Park (Beverly Hills)
Rosie’s Park (Madison Heights)
Kensington Metropark (Milford)
Rochester Municipal Park (Rochester)
Stony Creek Metropark (Shelby Township/Washington Township/Oakland Township)
Outdoor Winter Fun Storybook Trails
If you are looking for a fun and educational outdoor activity, then you are going to love the Storybook Trails that are popping up all over Metro Detroit. Walk some of your favorite trails while you enjoy a children’s story which is displayed at several stations along the route.
- Beverly Park (Beverly Hills) is a 34-acre park that offers a sled hill, ice skating rink and also a playground. The park also hosts sports fields, disc golf course, as well as wooded trails.
- Heritage Park (Canton) a free park that features a playground, splash playground, athletic fields, pavilions as well as restrooms. Walking paths, wood trails, sand volleyball, together with an amphitheater are also available.
- Clarkston Independence District Library
- Springfield township Library (Davisburg)
- Red Oaks Nature Center (Madison Heights) – hosts over 38 acres of rich natural habitat in the midst of Metro Detroit. Visitors will need a parking pass, however, admission is free.
- Auburn Hills Public Library (Auburn Hills)
Downhill Skiing in Oakland County
Alpine Valley
Alpine Valley offers their guests a wide variety of downhills skiing options as well as plenty of snowboarding courses. The park is open seven days a week. Additionally, they extend their season by creating their own snow.
Address: 6775 Highland Road, White Lake, MI White Lake
Phone: (248) 887-4183
Website
Mt. Holly
Mt. Holly in Holly, Michigan offers both snowboarding and downhill skiing runs for it’s guests. The runs range from beginner to advanced. Finally, there is 100% snowmaking coverage on these trails.
Address: 13536 South Dixie Highway, Holly, MI Holly
Phone: (248) 634-8269
Website
Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort
Address: 7778 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, MI Clarkston
Phone: (248) 625-0800
Website
Best Cross Country Skiing Locations
If you are looking for some fun cross country skiing trails in Oakland County, then check out our extensive list on our website. With locations all across the county, you are sure to find the perfect space for outdoor fun near you.
Independence Oaks County Park
Seven miles of classic as well as skate cross country trails. Trail difficulty ranges from easy up to difficult. The hills provide a beautiful scenery, with well groomed trails together with changes in elevation. The park is open daily with ski rental available.
Address: 9501 Sashabaw Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48348
Phone: (248) 625-0877
Website
Kensington Metropark
Kensington Metropark offers more than 12 miles of groomed trails. These trails provide beautiful scenic views of fields, ponds, as well as snow-covered woods. The park offers beginner and also intermediate cross country ski trails. The trails are open daily from 6 am until 10 pm. However, the trails are not lit. Ski Rental is available at the Ski Center within the Golf Course.
Address: 4570 Huron River Pkwy, Milford, MI 48380
Phone: (810) 227-8910
Website
Stony Creek Metropark (partially in Oakland Township)
We love Stony Creek Metropark not only because of it’s prime location, but also because of all the amazing outdoor winter activities that are available. The 4,461 acre park offers plenty to do, with something for everyone. While the main winter attraction for families is sledding at Stony Creek Metropark, the park also offers snowboarding, cross county skiing, biking and ice skating. Stony Creek offers several more than 13 miles of marked and groomed trails for walking snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The trails range in difficulty from easy to most difficult. The Trolley Trails offer ungroomed pathways near the entrance. Cross-Country Ski Rentals are available during the weekends only.
Address: 4300 Main Park Dr, Shelby Charter Twp, MI 48316 Shelby Charter Twp
Phone: (586) 781-4242
Website
Bloomer Park – Rochester
While the cross country trails at Bloomer Park are ungroomed, we simply love this park for all of the amazing amenities and outdoor winter activities. The park not only offers trails in the winter, but also a sledding hill, and heated restrooms.
Address: 345 John R Rd, Rochester, MI 48307
Phone: (248) 656-4753
Website
West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve
West Bloomfield Wood Nature Preserve has a 4.5-mile cross country skiing trail that runs along the former railroad tracks. The park is open daily from 8:00 am until dusk.
Address: W Bloomfield Trail, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48323
Phone: (248) 451-1900
Website
Our complete list of 40+ Cross Country Skiing Trails in Oakland County.
Author: Amber Louchart
Amber is the proud mother to four beautiful children, Damian (27), Rosaleigh (14), Carlyn (11), and Naomi (8). Her family also includes four cats. She loves being a stay-at-home mom and feels blessed to be able to care for her children full-time and provide them with so many opportunities through Metro Detroit Mommy. In addition to Metro Detroit Mommy, Amber has a passion for hosting karaoke with Malibu Entertainment. She enjoys the metro Detroit nightlife especially, singing, dancing and meeting new people.
Amber is the proud mother to four beautiful children, Damian (27), Rosaleigh (14), Carlyn (11), and Naomi (8). Her family also includes four cats.
She loves being a stay-at-home mom and feels blessed to be able to care for her children full-time and provide them with so many opportunities through Metro Detroit Mommy. In addition to Metro Detroit Mommy, Amber has a passion for hosting karaoke with Malibu Entertainment. She enjoys the metro Detroit nightlife especially, singing, dancing and meeting new people.
Photographer:
Bernadette Manaay is a proud mom of two wonderful kids, Ianna and Bernard. She has been married to her husband, Ian, for almost 11 years. Bernadette is a Physical Therapist by profession in Metro Detroit. Her family loves to travel and go camping every summer and early fall. Her desire and passion to document her family’s everyday life lead her to become a self-taught photographer. It is very fulfilling to a mom to capture and freeze as many moments as we can because time just flies so fast. See the special memories of her family on her Instagram account: @adetteskyph.
