Discover Macomb: Trails, Water and Culture

Macomb County connects trails through developed and natural landscapes with lakes, riverfronts and a diverse cultural history. Plan outings for your stay by route, landscape and theme: Options range from the Macomb Orchard Trail and the Freedom Trail to water activities, Metroparks, farms and museums. The county’s trail network is open year-round to residents and visitors; all trails open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset.

Routes through a variety of landscapes

The Macomb Orchard Trail stretches 23.5 miles through seven communities in northern Macomb County. It provides access to several downtowns, including Romeo, Armada and Richmond, and connects to regional destinations such as Stoney Creek Metropark and the Clinton River Trail. The Freedom Trail offers a different kind of scenery: It runs for nearly 10 miles through urban, residential and natural landscapes, with views of the Lake St. Clair shoreline.

Together, the Clinton River Park and River Bends Trails offer 12 miles of paved paths through River Bends Park and along the Clinton River; both are part of the Iron Belle Trail. River Bends Park also has two-track and single-track routes for cyclists. Another specific option is the 6.2-mile paved hike-and-bike loop at Stony Creek Metropark, which circles Stony Creek Lake.

By the water: lake, river and shoreline

At the heart of Stony Creek Metropark is the 500-acre Stony Creek Lake. Visitors can go boating, fishing and swimming there. The main branch of the Clinton River is navigable by paddlecraft for 32 miles. The Lake St. Clair Water Trails offer a broader perspective, too: They extend for more than 50 miles along the freshwater shoreline of Lake St. Clair and connect the Blueways of St. Clair with Macomb County.

Lake St. Clair Metropark has a 600-foot sandy beach on Lake St. Clair. Its 3.75-mile flat, paved path connects to the Freedom Trail along Metro Parkway. At Dodge Park, paved and natural-surface paths combine opportunities for hiking, cycling, running and inline skating with water access for kayaking and canoeing.

Nature, agriculture and history

Macomb County is home to three Huron-Clinton Metroparks: Lake St. Clair Metropark, Stony Creek Metropark and Wolcott Mill Metropark. Visitors looking to explore natural areas on designated trails will find 913 largely undeveloped acres and 3.3 miles of hiking trails at W.C. Wetzel State Recreation Area. The 44-acre Anna Wilcox and Harold Warnes Memorial Nature Sanctuary includes a trail, a small stream and a variety of wildlife.

Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center is a 250-acre working farm with live animals, including cows, chickens, goats, pigs, sheep, ducks and horses. Daily milking demonstrations take place in the Dairy Barn. The history of agriculture is also tangible here: Wolcott Mill’s historic grist and feed mill operated from 1847 to 1967. In the barn, a museum uses antique equipment on display to tell the story of American barns.

Exhibits at the Lake St. Clair Metropark Nature Center explore the history of the French voyageurs and their role in the Great Lakes region. The center also introduces visitors to Michigan’s protected wetland habitat through interpretive exhibits, live animals and taxidermy displays. Nature and regional history come together in one place.

Museums, art and special interests

The Stahl Automotive Collection in Chesterfield, Michigan, displays more than 100 classic vehicles from the Brass, Depression, prewar and postwar eras, as well as the modern era. The Lorenzo Cultural Center’s seasonal program brings together history, art, science and community voices. Interactive exhibits at the Selfridge Military Air Museum explore the development of aviation technology and military history; the Aviation Learning Center offers hands-on activities such as flight simulators and experiments.

Public art can also be part of your exploration: Macomb County’s digital art map covers all 27 communities and helps visitors discover local sculptures, paintings, murals and other art forms. Along with the variety of trails, waterscapes and park amenities, it offers a range of concrete starting points for planning your Macomb outings around the themes that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Clinton Township, Fraser, Warren, Harrison Township, Roseville, St Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Mount Clemens, Utica.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.