A summer getaway does not always require hours in the car.
Located in Harrison Township, Lake St. Clair Metropark offers a close-to-home daycation with a sandy beach, outdoor pool, trails, water activities and plenty of space to relax along the lake.
The park is located about 20 miles northeast of downtown Detroit, making it an accessible option for visitors from Detroit and communities throughout Metro Detroit. Whether you want to spend the day swimming, kayaking or simply sitting near the water, there are several ways to build an easy summer visit.
Spend the Day at the Beach
One of the main attractions at Lake St. Clair Metropark is its sandy beach along Lake St. Clair.
The beach is open seasonally from May 1 through October 1. Visitors can swim, relax in the sand or enjoy views of the water from the surrounding lakefront area.
There are no lifeguards stationed at the beach, so swimming is at your own risk. The park encourages visitors to use life jackets, which are available to borrow at the beach on a first-come, first-served basis.
Changing rooms, heated showers and coin-operated lockers are available at the nearby pool complex. The park also offers free all-terrain and floating beach wheelchair rentals during the summer.
Swim in the Outdoor Pool
The park also has a separate 50-meter outdoor swimming pool.
The pool includes two waterslides with 120-foot flumes and an inflatable obstacle course located in the deep-water area. Unlike the lake beach, the pool is staffed with lifeguards and first-aid employees during public swimming hours.
The pool is scheduled to operate daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Admission is $5 per person, while children under 30 inches tall can enter for free. Pool admission is separate from the vehicle entry fee.
Cool Off at the Squirt Zone
Families with younger children can also visit the Squirt Zone Spray Ground.
Located between the pool and Lake St. Clair, the splash area includes ground sprays, water cannons and arches that create tunnels of water. It gives children another way to cool down without entering the lake or deeper areas of the swimming pool.
The spray ground is scheduled to operate daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Seasonal hours and availability can change because of weather or operating conditions.
Get Out on Lake St. Clair
Visitors who want to spend more time on the water can bring a kayak or canoe into the park.
Kayaks and paddleboards are also available to rent through Simple Adventures at the park’s Beach Shop. Rental rates and hours are managed separately and may vary based on weather and seasonal demand.
The park has eight boat ramps near the North Marina along Black Creek. Personal watercraft, windsurfers and sailboards can also enter the lake through designated launch areas.
A separate daily or annual boat pass is required for boats using the launch. However, visitors transporting a canoe, kayak or rowboat inside or on top of their vehicle do not need to purchase an additional boat pass.
Boaters should note that the North Marina is not accepting reservations in 2026 as the park prepares for renovations.
Play a Round of Golf
Lake St. Clair Metropark also offers several activities away from the beach.
The park has an Adventure Golf course for visitors looking for a casual round of miniature golf. There is also a walker-friendly 18-hole Par-3 course overlooking Lake St. Clair.
The Par-3 course is scheduled to operate from April 17 through October 15. Regular rates begin at $10 on weekdays and $13 on weekends and holidays, with reduced rates for seniors and junior players. Club rentals are available for an additional fee.
Visitors can also try Foot Golf, which follows many of the same rules as traditional golf but uses a soccer ball instead of golf clubs.
Walk, Bike or Slow Down Near the Water
Not every visit needs to revolve around a scheduled activity.
The park’s flat, paved Hike-Bike Trail provides approximately three miles of space for walking, biking, jogging and skating. The route passes grassy areas, a 1,600-foot boardwalk and Huron Point, where visitors can stop near the gazebo and take in views of Lake St. Clair.
For a quieter experience, more than a mile of nature trails passes through marshes, meadows and wooded areas near the Nature Center. The trails provide opportunities to see birds, insects, plants and other wetland wildlife.
Dogs are allowed on the paved and rustic trails when kept on a six-foot leash. However, pets, bicycles and running are not permitted on the designated nature trails.
Plan Your Visit to Lake St. Clair Metropark
Lake St. Clair Metropark is located at 31300 Metro Parkway in Harrison Township.
Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. A daily or annual Metroparks pass is required for vehicle entry. The current daily vehicle pass is $10.
Additional fees apply to activities such as the swimming pool, golf, rentals and boat launching.
Because swimming facilities, concessions and rentals operate seasonally, visitors should check current conditions, closures and hours before leaving home.
For Detroit-area residents looking for an affordable summer day trip, Lake St. Clair Metropark brings together many of the things people travel farther north to enjoy: open water, sandy shoreline, boating, outdoor activities and time away from the usual routine.
It is all available within a relatively short drive from Detroit.