Chelsea – Parks & Recreation Areas

A 42-mile, ADA-accessible paved pathway consisting of six corridors, two of which are accessible from Chelsea. The 4.7-mile Chelsea-Stockbridge Corridor currently runs north along M-52 from Veterans Park to Boyce Rd., with access to the DTE Energy Foundation mountain bike trails along the way. The 2.1-mile Dexter-Chelsea Corridor runs along Dexter-Chelsea Rd. from the intersection with N. Parker west to N. Dancer. b2btrail.org

33 Cavanaugh Lake Rd. • (734) 971–6337
Located on the south shore of the lake, this one-acre roadside picnic area features a picnic shelter, playground, and a shoreline fishing area. Not wheelchair accessible. Open year-round, dawn to dusk.

680 McKinley
Dogs must be registered with the city of Chelsea. Register at Chelsea City Offices (305 S. Main). $25 for Chelsea residents, $35 for nonresidents; renew annually.

Entrance on 12370 Dexter-Chelsea Rd. • (734) 475– 8307
803 acres around Four Mile Lake. Shore fishing, waterfowl hunting, small boat launch.

500 S. Main
The Main Street Park Alliance broke ground July 22, 2025 for this 2.6-acre park; anticipated opening summer 2026. Parkgoers will enjoy a pavilion with a performing space, a universally accessible looped path, splash pad, sports courts, play structures, and a skate park. mainstreetpark.org

304 S. Main
Hosts the Saturday farmers market and Sights & Sounds in summer (see Major Events). Available for public and private events.

18801 North Territorial • (734) 971–6337
This 335-acre county park is home to over 500 species of plants in a wide variety of habitats: fens, marshes, bogs, ponds, forest, prairie, and the Embury Swamp Natural Area Preserve, the ecological gem of the county system. Two miles of nature trails wind through the hilly landscape, connecting to the state’s Waterloo-Pinckney Trail for a combined hiking experience of almost 50 miles. Open year-round, dawn to dusk. washtenaw.org/599/park-lyndon

1175 S. Main • (734) 475–5858
18-hole championship golf course, plus a boardwalk and nature trails on 26 acres. See sandhill cranes, red foxes, and painted turtles. Cross-country skiing. Open year-round. No entry fee for park; see website for green fees. piercelakegolf.com, bit.ly/piercelake

851 S. Main
This 4.6-acre green space boasts a playground, picnic tables, a large pavilion, and a big rock that locals paint for events and special occasions.

Along with the connecting Silver Lake and Crooked Lake trails, this 17-mile loop is hilly and picturesque for hiking and mountain biking. Since the trail contains exposed roots, rocks, and steps, it’s only open for cross-country skiing when there’s a 6-inch snow base. Maps at Pinckney State Recreation Area headquarters.

Sibley west of N. Main
Named for its iconic, vast, and volunteer-built wooden play structure, this 19-acre park was recently named an official B2B trailhead. It’s also home to a pavilion, six pickleball courts, volleyball courts, hiking trails, and a community garden. timbertownchelsea.org

5825 Sibley
Features a black marble memorial tribute to veterans, as well as a wooden ship play structure, picnic tables, and two ball diamonds.

This 33.9-mile hiking trail links the Waterloo and Pinckney recreation areas, passing pine plantations, open meadows, marshes, kettle bogs, forests, and 14 lakes. Also good for cross-country skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. Camping in designated areas; overnight lodging available along the trail (reservations: 800–447–2757, midnrreservations.com). Search www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails for Waterloo-Pinckney Trail

14801 Arnold, Brooklyn • (517) 467–7401
1,122-acre state park with 5.8 miles of trails through its high ridges, deciduous forests, meadows, and wetlands, and with views of 144-acre Watkins Lake. Birdwatching, especially waterfowl. The lake and surrounding park property is a designated waterfowl refuge and is closed Feb. 15–May 15 and Sept. 1–Jan. 1 to protect important bird habitat; however, viewing is available year-round along Arnold Rd. mich.gov/recsearch (search Watkins Lake State Park)

21598 Waterloo Rd.
This tranquil, 217-acre county property has 2.22 miles of natural trails with upland mature oak and hickory trees, wetland, open water shoreline, and open fields. The diverse habitats bring sandhill cranes, wild turkeys, belted kingfishers, eastern bluebirds, and the state-protected Blanding’s turtle. No fishing or boating access. [email protected], washtenaw.org/336/nature-preserves