Situated in southeast Michigan on the banks of the Great Lakes, Detroit was once heralded as the industrial capital of the nation. The Detroit River, connecting Lake Erie to the south and Lake St. Clair to the north, serves the city not only as a major port but also as an important recreational feature. Boating, kayaking, canoeing, and speedboat racing are popular, and the relatively moderate weather atop this flat glacial plain tends to make outdoor activities more accessible than in other northerly regions.

The Detroit River is a significant flyway for migrating birds, making birdwatching an enjoyable and worthwhile pastime. Home to 322 bird species, 241 species of fish, and hundreds of other species of plants and animals, the flowing waters here are bounded by numerous parks and open spaces which help buffer the hustle and bustle of city life.

• MI Department of Natural Resources - Phone: (517) 373-7540
• Bureau of Land Management - Eastern States: (703) 440-1700
• U.S. Forest Service - Eastern Region: (414) 297-3600
• National Park Service - Phone: 402-221-3431

• Visit the Seven Lakes State Park in Fenton, 65 miles from Detroit, for a hot air balloon ride.
• Fish for bass on the shores of Pinckney Recreation Area's numerous lakes.
• Bring the kids to Groveland Oaks County Park in Holly, where quiet cabins, sandy beaches, a glittering lake, and canoe rentals make for a fun weekend getaway.