10 Great Places To Go Sledding at in Metro Detroit

Check out Shiawassee Park, Civic Center Park, Rolling Hills Park, and more
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There’s nothing better than spending a snow day at a local sledding hill. // Photo: IStock

The snow and cold makes a lot of people want to stay indoors, but for those brave enough to venture outside, Michigan’s winters offer fun recreational activities that can’t be enjoyed any other time of year.

One of those activities is the family-favorite pastime: sledding. When the snow starts sticking, grab your tube and hit these 10 great sledding spots in Southeast Michigan.

Snowy Ridge Sledding Hill

The attraction of Snowy Ridge is that it’s made specifically for sledding and features a long, fast slope. Expect a few bumps along the way. 753 Welch Road, Commerce Township; commercetwp.com; 248-926-0063.

Shiawassee Park

The hill features a 400-foot run and the convenience of a fenced-off walking path, in the middle, with hay bales for a safe ascent to the top. Expect higher speeds when the snow is packed down. Intersection of Shiawassee and Powers Roads, Farmington; ci.farmington. mi.us; 248-474-5500.

Stony Creek Metropark

Sledding hills are at the Gladeview and West Branch picnic areas. Gladeview’s hill is the larger, steeper, and faster option and includes a marked-off area, allowing sledders to safely return to the top. West Branch’s hill is best for families with young children. Restrooms are available at both hills. Admission is $10 per car4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township; metroparks.com; 586-781-4242. 

Kensington Metropark

Kensington boasts convenience and variety, with toboggan runs and different sledding hills for all skill levels, all located at the Orchard picnic area. Toboggans must be standard, with attached padding on the seat. A hill for the youngest sledders has padded trees for safety. Admission is $10 per car. 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford; metroparks.com; 810-227-8910. 

Lost Lake Nature Park

The hill is fast and smooth, from one of Oakland County’s highest points, and is well-maintained, thanks to a live-in caretaker. A warming shelter and a safe walkway back up the hill are offered, along with night sledding on certain days. 846 Lost Lake Trail, Oakland Township; oaklandtownship.org; 248-651-4440 ext. 299, to confirm the hill is open. 

Middlebelt Hill (Hines Park)

Three sides of this smooth, fast hill are perfect for sledding, and all three have their own walkways to return to the top. There is a staircase to the top and gazebo. 28558 Edward N. Hines Drive, Westland; waynecounty.com; 313-224-7600.

Rolling Hills Park

The hill is 70 feet wide and features a 275-foot run, with a safe stopping area at the bottom. What sets it apart, however, is a warming lodge with a fireplace. You can rent a tube for an additional charge, too.  7660 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti; washtenaw.org; 734-484-9676.

Beverly Hills Village Park

The east side of the hill is smooth and fast, but with a gradual drop. The west side drops quickly, then flattens out on a plateau, before descending again. There are stairs to the top. 18801 Beverly Road, Beverly Hills; villagebeverlyhills.com; 248-646-6404.

Civic Center Park

The larger of the two hills has a reputation for being smooth and fast. In the middle is a walking path, to help sledders return safely to the top. 360 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights; madison-heights.org; 248-589-2294.

Brandon Township Community Park

What makes this hill unique is a motorized lift that transports sledders to the top. It operates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on and Saturdays and Sundays. Sledding is also available when the lift is closed. 1414 N. Hadley Road, Ortonville; brandontownship.us; 248-627-2851. 

Looking for even more winter fun in Michigan? Check out our list of ice skating rinks in Metro Detroit


This story is featured in the January 2022 issue of Hour Detroit magazine and has been updated for 2023. Read more stories in our digital edition.