Monroe County – Nature, History and Waterways
Accommodation in Monroe County
Monroe County combines distinctive landscapes along Lake Erie with wetlands, historic sites, waterways and rural cycling routes. William C. Sterling State Park is Michigan’s only state park on Lake Erie. More than 500 acres of Great Lakes marsh and restored prairie on the lake plain give the region a distinctive natural character. For planning your trip, the question is therefore less about choosing a single central point than about deciding which focus you want to combine with your vacation rental or holiday home.
Wetlands, Birds and Experiences on the Water
Erie Marsh Preserve accounts for 11 percent of the remaining marshland in southeastern Michigan and is one of the largest marsh areas on Lake Erie. It serves as a migration and breeding area for shorebirds, waterfowl and land birds; in autumn, birds of prey can also be observed there. A 5-mile loop trail runs along a series of dikes through the various wetland types. Those who want to combine wildlife observation with exercise will find a specific day trip here with a clear landscape theme.
William C. Sterling State Park also offers a range of activities. The Marsh Trail features an observation platform and an observation tower. An accessible boat launch provides access to Lake Erie. Kayaks are rented at the campground office from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is also shore and offshore fishing on Lake Erie, as well as in the park’s Great Lakes marshes and lagoons. The River Raisin Waterway extends for more than 130 miles through Monroe County and flows into Lake Erie; it has launch sites for kayaking and canoeing. Various bird species can also be observed there.
Combine History with Trails and Exhibits
River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves, commemorates and interprets the battles of January 1813 in the War of 1812, as well as their consequences. Walking and cycling trails, including the River Raisin Heritage Trail, complement the historical experience with outdoor activity. The visitor center of the River Raisin Unit is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 through September 30, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October 1 through April 30; it is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. There you will find a diorama of the River Raisin settlement, orientation maps, ranger programs and a theater.
The Monroe County Historical Museum is housed in a Georgian post office building dating from around 1911, on the site of the original home of General and Mrs. Custer. It houses one of the largest collections of 18th- and 19th-century artifacts related to southeastern Michigan. Exhibits include the Woodland culture of Native Americans, early French Canadian settlers, Victoriana, the American Civil War and Monroe County veterans.
Cycling, Agriculture and Choosing Your Base
The 100-mile Cornerstone Bicycle Route passes through picturesque small towns and along the shore of Lake Erie. It uses low-traffic roads and crosses rural agricultural landscapes with gently rolling fields and orchards. Agritourism in Monroe County includes hands-on farm tours, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, farmers’ markets, U-pick farms, orchards and vineyards. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore weigh nature days, historic sightseeing, cycling tours and agriculture-focused experiences against one another.
I-75, I-275 and US-23 are important transportation routes for getting there; Monroe County is also served by Detroit Metropolitan Airport. When choosing your vacation rental or holiday home, consider which experiences you want to focus on during your stay. If you would then like to focus your search on individual places, you can also visit the destination pages for Dundee and Luna Pier.
For the higher-level travel overview: Michigan.
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