Wayne: Nature, Trails and History

When looking for a hotel in Wayne, you can decide what to focus on for your trip: nature and wildlife, trails and outdoor activities, or local history. The destinations featured here offer different ways to explore these themes—from wetlands and bird species to historic mills and park architecture. Consider which of these interests you most during your stay.

Choose Parks and Activities

Wayne County Parks manages 5,600 acres of parkland across 37 parks, as well as a golf course, a marina and the Wayne County Family Aquatic Center. The Wayne County Parkfinder helps you search for parks, recreational facilities and natural areas by location, name or specific amenities. This lets you tailor your choices to a particular interest.

Crosswinds Marsh offers year-round hiking, horseback riding with your own horse, cross-country skiing, picnicking and fishing. Seasonal conditions may affect some activities. The Wayne County Family Aquatic Center has more than 100 spray features. Gunsolly Mills Park has a hilly gravel track for model racing cars; the Comfort Station there was built on the former site of a walk mill used by Henry Ford’s family.

Nature, Wildlife and Trails

The William P. Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve covers about 550 acres along the valley known as Tonquish Creek in the northwestern part of Wayne County. Its landscape includes dense brushland, upland forests, wetlands and meadows. The preserve extends across a natural, three-mile stretch of the Tonquish Creek watershed. More than 10 miles of trails and nature programs led by park naturalists round out the offerings; program dates may change.

The habitats of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge are home to 300 bird species, including 30 species of waterfowl, 23 species of raptors and 31 species of shorebirds. The refuge was established in 2001 to protect the Lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie. If you are interested in birds, these species counts give a concrete sense of the diversity of its habitats.

Lower Huron Metropark covers 1,256 acres of mature forests and grassy meadows and provides access to the Huron River. It opened in 1951 as the first metropark in Wayne County. Its 15-mile trail connects Lower Huron, Willow and Oakwoods Metroparks, continuing through Flat Rock to Lake Erie Metropark. Flooding or maintenance work may affect trail conditions; check before planning a specific outing.

Several different figures are available for comparing trail lengths: the trail at Lower Huron is 15 miles long, Holliday Preserve offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails, and the trail at Bennett Arboretum is two miles long and easy to walk. The arboretum is Michigan’s oldest county arboretum and includes collections of maple, oak and beech trees, as well as several rare tree species from around the world. At Oakwoods Metropark, visitors can paddle on the Huron River, hike and take part in programs at the Nature Center. The park also features a paved hike-and-bike trail that is part of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, fishing spots and a designated monarch butterfly station.

History and Distinctive Park Details

The Nankin Mills Interpretive Center is located in a historic grist mill in Hines Park. Its exhibits cover Native American history, water-powered settlements and the history of the Underground Railroad along the Rouge River. They also explore Henry Ford’s use of the mill as one of his Village Industry production sites. The center features live animal exhibits and interpretive programs about the region’s natural and cultural history. Individual admission is free; paid guided tours are available for groups. Check visitor information before your visit.

Cass Benton Park has a historic Tudor-style restroom building with slate-roofed gables and oak lintels. Cass Benton Hill is used for sledding in the winter months; the park also has an 18-hole disc golf course. Elizabeth Park’s founding and design reflect different aspects of its history: founded in 1919, the 162-acre park was given to Wayne County by the children of Elizabeth Slocum. The park includes a transit marina with 52 slips and a boat launch. A 1,300-foot waterfront path is used for fishing, taking in the surroundings and quiet walks. Marina operations may change, so check the relevant information before using it.

Discover more destinations: Lincoln Park, Detroit, Livonia, Romulus, Allen Park, Dearborn, Garden City, Southgate, Taylor, Northville, Melvindale, Canton, Plymouth, Woodhaven, Flat Rock, Inkster, Redford Charter Township, Hamtramck, Wyandotte, Dearborn Heights, Grosse Pointe, Riverview.

View the broader travel overview: Michigan.