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Independence Oaks |
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Page Content  Enjoy year-round recreation in this naturally-maintained 1,276-acre park near Clarkston.
Independence Oaks was recently named one of the Top 10 best family-friendly places to hike by MetroParent Magazine.
More than 12 miles of marked nature and ski trails, including the paved River Loop Trail, All-Visitors Trail and Hawk's View Trail, a 2.5 mile paved hike, bike and blade pathway
Daily pass or annual vehicle permit required
Picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming, nature study and youth group camping
Picnic areas and rental shelters for group rental include ball field, sand volleyball courts, playground equipment, horseshoes pits
Picturesque Tony Filippis Memorial Garden and wheelchair-accessible gazebo shelter adjacent to Twin Chimneys area with view of Crooked Lake; ideal for outdoor wedding ceremonies.
Boat launch (non-motorized boats) and seasonal rowboat, canoe, kayak and pedalboat rentals on 68-acre Crooked Lake
Wint Nature Center offers interactive exhibits and interpretive programs.
Camp Wilderness, youth group overnight camping area. Two areas feature platform tents, shelter, fire circle, modern bathhouse and more! Campers can access the park's nature center, trails and (in season) swimming, boating and fishing.
Independence Oaks-North is now open! Enter park via a 30-space gravel parking lot located on Sashabaw Road south of Oak Hill Roads, one mile north of Independence Oaks County Park. Features include a 312-foot boardwalk connecting to a 180-foot-long fishing dock. Anglers can portage and launch canoes, kayaks or other non-motorized boats. No vehicular boat launch is provided. All watercraft must be hand carried along a 1,200-foot-long gravel trail from the parking lot to the lake. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and bird watching. The property will be open for archery deer hunting in fall, 2011. Currently, Independence Oaks-North and Independence Oaks County Park do not connect with trail access. Future plans include construction over wetlands to connect the two park portions with trail access.
Cross-country skiing, ski rental, ice skating, ice fishing, warming shelters and vending machines.
 "Learn to Ski" school Information.
"The best groomed cross-country ski trails in southeast Michigan are at Independence Oaks" says Hour Detroit Magazine's Best Winter Getaways List! |
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A Walk in the Park |
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Photos |
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Park News |
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Frosty Oaks Fest -- Winter Family Fun!
Feb. 18, 2012, Noon - 4 p.m.
FREE activities for the whole family! Details.
Frosty Oaks Fest Snowshoe Race
10 a.m. Feb. 18, 2012
register at www.highfiveraces.com
This will be a foot race if there's no snow.
Snow Conditions
snow, then no snow, open to walkers
Ice is currently less than 4" thick. No ice skating at this time
updated: Wednesday, 2-1-12 |
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Contact/Hours |
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Address:
9501 Sashabaw Road
Clarkston, MI 48348
(2 1/2 miles north of I-75 -- Exit 89)
Phone:
248-625-0877 (Park)
248-625-6473 (Wint Nature Center)
Park Hours of Operation:
Approximately 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, or as posted at park entrance. Open year round. Closed Christmas Day.
Nature Center Hours
Please note new Nature Center hours beginning Jan. 4, 2012:
Open for walk-in visitation:
Wednesday - Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Field Trips, Birthday Parties and programs with advance registration:
Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.
The new hours are part of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission's efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs while continuing to provide high quality service to our guests. |
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Directions |
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