STERLING STATE PARK
The only state park on Lake Erie, Wm. C. Sterling State Park's 1,000 acres offers great recreational opportunities within an hour of Detroit. Swimming, boating, fishing, camping and wildlife viewing have all been upgraded with the 2003 park reconstruction.
The Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. Details and information on how to obtain your Michigan Recreation Passport can be found by visiting the
MICHIGAN RECREATION PASSPORT web page.
Located in Monroe, the park offers a variety of fishing options. Anglers can enjoy shore or boat-based activities.
The waters are teeming with several species including walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass.
Fishing is possible from piers along Lake Erie's shoreline as well as lagoons within the area.
Boat launches provide easy access to open water for those looking to fish deeper areas where larger catches may be found.
Avid fishermen might also encounter northern pike and channel catfish during their excursion on these freshwater bodies.
Remember that all anglers must have a valid Michigan Fishing License before casting out their lines.
Sterling State Park is located near Carleton, Flat Rock and Grosse Ile
Day use areas are surrounded by water and include one mile of sandy beach on Lake Erie, vending machines, a modern toilet building, grills, picnic tables and a playscape that is shared with the campground.
Five picnic shelters are available. The Heron and Red Oak shelters can be reserved by calling 734-289-2715.
A total of seven miles of trails provide opportunities for hiking, biking and exploring. The 2.9-mile paved Marsh Trail circles one of the marsh lagoons in the park. A 0.6-mile hiking trail follows the Lake Erie shoreline. These trails include eleven interpretive stations, an observation deck and a covered pavilion with spotting scopes.
Trails in the park:
Sterling-Marsh Trail - 6 (Miles), Biking, Hiking, Cross Country Ski, Barrier-free Facilities
Located in Michigan, the park is a haven for birdwatchers with its diverse range of species. It's part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, attracting migratory birds during spring and fall. Visitors can spot waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors along six miles of trails or from observation platforms overlooking marshes.
Erie Party Shoppe
6838 Laplaisance Rd
Monroe, MI
(734) 457-0006
Charlie's Boat & Bait Market
13468 Laplaisance Rd
Monroe, MI
(734) 241-1545
Campgrounds
Enjoy Southeast Michigan's Best Family Camping experience at our clean, quiet, friendly campground. Jumping Pillow, WiFi, Paddle Boats, Minigolf, Swimming, Bicycling and more
30.5 miles from park*
Conference Center
Week long youth camps. Located on the shores of Kelleys Island. Guests will learn to sail, wakeboard, waterski while enjoying the beauty of the Lake Erie island.
39 miles from park*
My parents had taken me to Sterling state park since I was a young child. When I had my daughter in 2000 she was only 6 days old her 1st time coming here (I took her in the water with me and everything, n now she is a great swimmer, always joke that it was because of this) and now we are planning on having her 13th bday party out there!!! There are problems with biting flys but bug spray reapplied fairly often helps alot!! We love coming here. Came out for the fireworks a couple times also...one time there was a huge thunderstorm n we just covered with the blanket n waited it out n watched the fireworks from the water after the storm... good times!!
enjoy the camp ground just have to get the sight you like take a drive and reserve early i did mine in march lol to get where we wanted to camp.they have a area where or labador can swim also great fishing ,only battle is biting flys but i solved that using yard gaured early in morning then they dont bug ya lol.
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