Huge fresh water lakes and beautiful beaches surround the state of Michigan. If you want to check out Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes, head over to Sterling State Park, located in southeastern Michigan. This is the only state park on Lake Erie and offers a ton of fun outdoor recreational activities.
Things To Do At The Park
We promise that you won’t get bored at this beautiful park! There’s so much to do here, you may never want to leave!
Fishing
This park is a great place for on-shore fishing. With fish such as Bullhead, Carp, Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Sunfish, Walleye, White Bass, and Yellow Perch, you’re bound to snag something on your hook. If you catch something tasty for dinner, just head over to the fish cleaning station and get it prepped for the grill or campfire! If you’d rather get out on the lake in your boat, you’ll find a boat launch located in the park as well!
Trails
Sterling State Park has 7 miles of trails, 2.9 of which are paved. The paved trail makes a great place for walking, running, biking, and more. These trails wind through wetlands where you’re sure to see some interesting creatures that live here. This park is dedicated to preserving the wetlands in the area and offers something very different than the surrounding urban area. Give Penny Flip Hiking a try on these trails!
Metal Detecting
Looking for treasures in the area is a great way to pass the time and take in nature. At Sterling State Park there are defined areas where metal detecting is encouraged. Just be sure to stay within the allowed areas found here on the map. Remember that you don’t want to damage any of the natural resources and be sure to leave the area the same as you found it when you’re done. So if you dig something up, fill in the hole when you’re done.
State Park Explorer Program
Michigan has a great State Park Explorer Program where kids can participate in activities at some of the state parks. Sterling State Park participates in this program and offers things like fishing lessons, guided hikes, animal tracking, bird studying, and much more. This program is free and great fun for the whole family!
Bird Watching
Sterling State Park is a great place to go birding! Since this is an area where many species fly through on their migratory journey, you may get to see more than just what lives in the area. Frequently seen flying through the area are waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds. Bring your binoculars!
Around Town
The surrounding area has a lot to offer! Detroit is close for shopping and casinos, and Windsor, Canada, is just a hop, skip, and a jump away! Right there in Monroe, though, you’ll love these activities.
River Raisin National Battlefield Park
In 1813, the US and Great Britain were battling over the control of Michigan and the lower Great Lakes area. Here along the banks of the River Raisin is where this battle took place and today you can visit the site and learn about the history. You can see displays of original military weapons, dioramas of scenes from the River Raisin Massacre, and Battles of Lake Erie and Thames. Lots more history can be found here so make sure you check it out, especially if you’re road-schooling your kids!
Charter Fishing
If you want to get out on Lake Erie and fish, contact DownDay Charters. Spend the day fishing for walleye and perch. Hopefully you’ll catch your dinner!
Golfing
If you like to golf, you’re in the right place! Check out these local golf courses: Carrington Golf Club, River Raisin Golf Club, Sandy Creek Golf Course, and Green Meadows Golf Club! Grab your clubs and enjoy on the links!
Camping
The campground here is a modern campground with full hookups for the RVers! On the way out, you can take advantage of the sanitation station to get your tanks ready for another adventure! Other sites for tent campers include electrical hookups! You’ll find modern bathrooms with showers just a short walk from your site. There isn’t much shading at this campground, but the great views of Lake Erie make up for it!
Be sure to bring along your four-legged friends if you have them! This park and campground is pet friendly and there are tons of trails your pet will love!
