Independence Day County Park
- Independence Day County Park, located 10 miles from Ann Arbor in the city of Whitmore Lake, stays open year-round. In the summertime, it's a big draw for nature lovers: Its many trails lead visitors through wetlands, woodlands and prairie habitats. Sun-worshippers, however, head to the 300-foot-long sandy beach that fronts the park's central Independence Lake. Clean ablution facilities, picnic pavilions and a water-fountain playground sit close to the beach, and fishing areas are just a short walk away. Also close at hand is a launching ramp for low- and no-powered watercraft. A kiosk rents rowboats and paddle-boats.
Van Buren Park
- The industrial juggernaut of Detroit Edison constructed Van Buren Park -- located 10 miles from Ann Arbor, in Belleville -- in the 1940s, as a recreational destination for company employees and their families. Detroit Edison donated the park to the city in the 1970s, at which point the facility was developed to serve the greater community with several clean swimming beaches, picnic areas, sports fields, low-powered boating opportunities and tent camping spaces. There are several water access points around the park's Belleville Lake and French Landing Dam, but the main beach is the only one with an ADA access ramp.
Island Lake Recreation Area
- Perhaps the area's best known swimming destination, the Island Lake Recreation Area draws more than a million visitors per year. Located 17 miles from Ann Arbor in the town of Brighton, the park features extensive facilities for camping and outdoor recreation, for example, massive picnic pavilions, trout and bass fishing, almost 20 miles of woodland biking trails, several rental cabins and a 500-person outdoor event center. The park's two large, sandy public beaches -- prime territory for local co-eds to see-and-be-seen -- figure prominently in the park's appeal. Weekend warriors can rent a canoe on-site and take an overnight camping trip on the Huron River, which crosses the property.
Brighton Recreation Area
- Just 18 miles from Ann Arbor, the expansive Brighton Recreation Area spreads out around two wooded lakes in the city of Howell. Both the lakes are fringed with sandy beaches that feature picnic areas, sand volleyball and horseshoe pits for lakeside entertainment. One of these -- Bishop Lake -- has an ADA-accessible path down to the swimming beach. Brighton Recreation Area also offers canoes, kayaks and paddle-boats for hourly rental.
Camp Dearborn
- Camp Dearborn has been hosting local families for lakeside camping holidays for more than half a century. Located 22 miles from Ann Arbor in the city of Milford, Camp Dearborn's 626-acre property encompasses six lakes, all of which are swimmable. The main public swimming beach is a half-mile-long strip of sand with close-by picnic facilities and a large playground. Registered campers may enjoy the campground's private beach, swimming lake and heated pool. Paddle-boat and canoe rentals allow active visitors to explore the lakes and part of the Huron River.
Pickney Recreation Area
- Pickney Recreation Area's 11,000 acres cover several small lakes, which are best known for fishing but offer shaded, grass-lined banks for lounging -- perfect for beach-goers in the mood to kick back and read a good book. The best beaches are clustered around the park's Bruin Lake, which also offers picnic sites, boat rentals, a playground and a concession stand. Rustic campgrounds sit close to the shoreline at Crooked Lake. Crooked Lake is connected to the rest of the park by a 40-mile trail system, which invites visitors to reach the beach via a weekend backpacking trip. Pickney Recreation Area is a convenient 17 miles from Ann Arbor.
