Thousands of bodies of water shape the landscape of metro Detroit. Bordered by two Great Lakes — which are connected by the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River — and peppered with hundreds of inland lakes, rapid rivers, and scenic creeks, this region boasts some of the state’s best places to live and visit. Here, we dive into five different waterways and take a look at cities and towns near them that make the most of their locations.
Clarkston, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Rochester, Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion, Waterford
Whether you crave bustling Clarkston’s charming downtown and popular lakes like Deer Lake or brand-new condo living and a fun and a walkable downtown in Lake Orion, the northern part of Michigan’s third-wealthiest county has something for everyone. If you prefer creek life, you’ll find it along Paint Creek, which flows from Lake Orion, through Oakland Township and Rochester Hills, and into the Clinton River in Rochester.
The affluent city of Lake Angelus, with about 145 homes — some once owned by Charles Fisher and Sebastian Kresge, to name a few — surrounds the eponymous lake. George and Annie Frisch, now retired, raised their family there. “As a kid, I’d go up north to Higgins Lake every summer,” says George. “Without a doubt, I wanted our kids to grow up on a lake.” The Frisches brought up their two children amid annual ice-skating, boat parades, reggae parties, sailboat races, and more. “Living in the Lake Angelus lake community provided a kind of camaraderie you don’t often find anymore,” George says. “But if you choose a quieter life, it offers a kind of peace and calm that is perfect for solitude. Best of both worlds.”
Professional photographer Jeff Garland and his wife, Shelley, love to paddle the Clinton River. They put their kayaks in at Clinton River Heritage Park in Utica or Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills and end at their Sterling Heights home. The river itself continues its eastward journey to Lake St. Clair, which connects Lake Erie to Lake Huron. “There are some easy rapids,” Jeff says. “The route attracts folks from all over.”
Must-do: At Waterford’s Dodge No. 4 State Park (on the north shore of Cass Lake), anglers, boaters, paddlers, and swimmers enjoy the splashy paradise along a mile of shoreline. Its 139 acres of land — donated to the state of Michigan by the Dodge Brothers corporation in 1922 — are “great for birding,” says resident Julie Jacobson. “It also has a big, walkable hill with great views, especially for sunsets. Most people don’t realize it has an old Indian burial ground in the side of that hill, facing the sunset.”
Hop on the 8.9-mile Paint Creek Trail in downtown Rochester and bike north on its crushed limestone surface along the creek. Stop at bridges, picnic areas, and footpaths and spend time exploring — you may even see some fly fishermen land a trout or two.
Waterfront dining: For cocktails, Carol Kozel, of Waterford, recommends Waterside Social’s deck in Lake Orion. In Clarkston, Kruse’s Deer Lake Inn affords lakeside dining views. If dining on a river is more your speed, check out Kruse’s Paint Creek Tavern or enjoy cocktails outdoors at the newly renovated Royal Park Hotel, which both overlook Paint Creek in Rochester.
Waterfront Living in Metro Detroit
A Day Trip Downriver
Lake St. Clair
Huron River Waterway
Detroit River
Western Oakland County’s Lakes
This story originally appeared in the July 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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