Stony Creek Metropark is a man-made lake built by damming Stony Creek, a tributary of the Clinton River. Stony Creek drains 72 square miles (116 km²) of northern Oakland County and the lake formed from the dams covers 500 acres (2.0 km2).
Stony Creek Metropark is situated on a moraine which makes for varied landscape. The park has forests, hills, prairies, as well as swamps. The park is also relatively high above sea level, 875 feet (267 m) at the park office. Although a visitor can see downtown Detroit (26 miles away) from the park office, it is not the highest point in Macomb County, as many people believe. Trombley Mountain, located in the Ford Proving Grounds (Bruce Township), is 1,150 feet (350 m) above sea level - the highest point in Macomb County.
Activities
Stony Creek has a vast amount of trails in four different locations around the park. There are 14 miles (22.5 km) of mountain biking/hiking trails located on the grounds of a former estate, of which the foundations are still visible. There are another 8.5 miles (13.7 km) of hiking trails near the nature center, and over 6 miles (10 km) of foot trails near Inwood lake. Additionally, there is a 6.2 mile (10 km) paved trail that circles Stony Creek lake which is popular with joggers, and inline-skaters.
Stony Creek Metropark also has:
A 6,981-yard (6,383 m), 18-hole golf course
Snowboarding, sledding and tobogganning hills
Two beaches on Stony Creek lake, one of which (Eastwood) features life guards
Picnic areas with basketball courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, and beach volleyball courts
Nature center
Ice skating rink
26-hole disc golf course
Boat launch
Rowboats, paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks available for rent
Cross country skiing trails and ski rentals