Discover Waterford

When considering Waterford as a destination, you can focus your day on a variety of activities: nature trails, sports facilities, historic buildings, and wildlife viewing are among the things to explore in Charter Township of Waterford and at Waterford Historic Village. These places differ considerably in what they emphasize. So you can decide whether you would rather spend your time on hiking trails, at sports facilities, or exploring nature and history.

Trails and sports at Waterford Oaks Park

Waterford Oaks Park is a 199-acre Oakland County park in Charter Township of Waterford. Its facilities include the Waterford Oaks Bicycle Motocross (BMX) Track. More than three miles of hiking trails add to what the park offers. If you would like to include a variety of sports in your day as well as walks, you’ll also find two platform tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and outdoor fitness equipment there. The pickleball courts are open year-round.

The season can also shape the focus of a park visit: a sledding hill for families is available in winter. The accessible Paradise Peninsula Playscape is currently closed to the public due to construction. Lookout Lodge, the Waterford Oaks Event Center, and picnic shelters are available for rent. These rental options are for event and picnic venues; they do not indicate overnight accommodations.

Wildlife viewing and trails at Drayton Plains Nature Center

At Drayton Plains Nature Center, nature trails and wildlife-viewing opportunities come together. The site includes shoreline and prairie habitats, as well as opportunities for wildlife and bird watching. An interpretive nature center and a picnic shelter with two grills round out the facilities. About four miles of hiking trails wind through a variety of Michigan habitats, including a white pine forest, a forest prairie, and a southern wet meadow. The trail length is approximate; the habitats listed also give an idea of the landscapes you may encounter along the trail network.

More than 196 species have been recorded at the Nature Center. Regionally unusual species include the Northern Shoveler, Philadelphia Vireo, and Northern Harrier. These examples make bird watching a focus in its own right alongside hiking: you can take into account both the trails and the opportunities to observe wildlife and birds when planning your visit.

Park history and activities at Hess-Hathaway Park

The history of Hess-Hathaway Park dates back to 1985. Myrtle Hess, owner of Lone Cedar Farm, bequeathed the property to Charter Township of Waterford that year; today it is Hess-Hathaway Park. The park brings together several different facilities, including an animal exhibit barn, the All Kids Playground, two pavilions, a gazebo, and a community building. Other amenities include restrooms, two sand volleyball courts, a gaga ball pit, horseshoe pits, a softball field, a community garden, and scenic trails.

Guided animal visits and tours, as well as hayrides, are available by appointment only. Children's groups must have one chaperone for every ten children; chaperones pay the per-person rate. If you plan to take part in these activities, arrange your appointment in advance. This makes clear the distinction between park areas you can explore freely and activities available only by appointment.

Historic buildings and sites along the Clinton River

Waterford Historic Village presents history through original buildings, accurate replicas, and depictions of what buildings would have looked like in the early 1900s. Visits are seasonal: the Village is open every year from May through September on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers a self-guided tour. Check the current seasonal information before your visit to ensure your plans fit the opening hours.

The Clinton River Canoe Site offers a different perspective on local recreational spots. The eight-acre park sits on the banks of the Clinton River. It is home to the covered “Red Bridge,” which is well known among local paddlers, who regularly meet there. The different themes can help guide your choice of a vacation rental in Waterford: wildlife viewing, sports, park activities, or a seasonal tour of historic buildings. Focus your location search on whichever of these experiences matter most for your trip.

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For the broader travel overview: Oakland.