MLive says: “If you want to visit a state park on Lake Erie, it will have to be Sterling State Park. Like a couple of our Lake Michigan parks on this list, Sterling has the option for campers to set up their tents with views of a Great Lake. You can also swim in Lake Erie, use the boat launch to spend a day on the lake or hike through six miles of trails. Keep an eye out for wildlife while walking through the park.”
July 24, 2021
I was up early on Saturday morning at my AirBnb in the Island View neighborhood of Detroit, eating scones and sipping juice while waiting for today’s guest: none other than Jon Boy! My older brother would be accompanying me on my hike of Sterling State Park this weekend.
We started the day right with smoothies from Beyond Juicery, just outside the Eastern Market, before heading south toward Monroe. When we arrived at the State Park, I was pleasantly surprised: the shoreline was actually very pretty and the beach was huge! On the other hand, there was a steel factory’s towers in the background creating large plumes floating out over Lake Erie…not super surprising in this part of the state, though.
We headed toward the hiking trails, which border the park’s lagoons and wetlands.
As we walked, I spotted a ton of wildlife! Turtles, egrets, herons, ducks, osprey, fish, and water snakes. It was a huge, lively, and abundant wetland with tons of surprises. I would have loved to paddle the lagoon system, honestly! They were all connected with small streams that eventually fed Lake Erie.
The whole hike was just under six miles - I was honestly impressed that Jon made it the whole way because he rarely goes outside! But he was a trooper and let me stop to take photos and stare at birds without complaining one bit; such a good big brother. We had a great time, and I would honestly return to this park again (but never to camp: the campground was pretty terrible). There was even a bike path that connected the State Park to downtown Monroe, so you could cycle out for lunch or drinks and then come back to swim. I think it would be super fun to try that out one day; I love a public lands accessibility moment!