Hudson Mills Metropark App
The Hudson Mills Metropark app is the ultimate guide to exploring and enjoying Hudson Mills Metropark, located just north of Dexter, Michigan.
Download the Android app from Android Market.
Visit our Hudson Mills Metropark page for more information about the park.
Hudson Mills Trails
For such a small park, there is a surprising amount of trail located within Hudson Mills Metropark. With just over 15 km of trails, or nearly 10 miles, it’s a great park to visit for a relaxing hike, bike ride, or in-line skate in the summer, or cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. Most of the trails are paved, except for some nature trails behind the Activity Center. Bikes are allowed only on paved trails, and dogs are allowed almost everywhere in the park, except on the unpaved trails directly behind the Activity Center.
Suggested Trails
- Paved Trails: 8.1 km (5 miles) of paved trails are located within the park, on both sides of the Huron River.
- Unpaved Trails: A network of 7.0 km (4.4 miles) of unpaved trails within the central part of the park are great for wandering through woods and wetlands.
- The East Trail Loop is a paved 4.5 km (2.8 mile) trail is popular with bikers, walkers, and in-line skaters year-round.
- The West Trail is a paved 3.2 km (2 mile) out and back trail (6.4 km, 4 mile, round trip) past the rapids and along the western side of the river. Be sure to take the quick side-trip to visit the mill ruins along the way. Combining this trail with the East Trail Loop will give you a 11.9 km (6.8 mile) trip.
Trail etiquette
The unpaved trails in Hudson Mills Metropark are for foot-traffic only. Bikes and in-line skates are not allowed.
On the paved trails:
- Stay to your right
- Pedestrians have the right of way over everyone.
- In-line skaters have right of way over bikes. Be aware, however, they generally can not go into the grass without falling.
- Bikes must yield the right of way to all other trail users. Also, there is a 16 km/h (10 mph) speed limit for bikes on all metropark trails.
- If you stop on a trail, for any reason, please step off the trail to the right, if possible. <b>Do not block the trail!</b>
- When overtaking others on the trail, please let them know you’re coming. Traditionally, this is done with either a bike bell or by calling out, “Passing on the left” or just “On your left.”
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This page is a part of the Hudson Mills Metropark App.
Hudson Mills Metropark Group Camp
Hudson Mills Metropark provides a group camp area just north of North Territorial Road, near the Canoe Camp for youth groups only.
See the fees page for current costs and more information.
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This page is a part of the Hudson Mills Metropark App.
Hudson Mills Canoeing
Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the Huron River. Many people will launch at Hudson Mills Metropark and travel downriver to Delhi Rapids, or even all the way to Ann Arbor. For those looking for a longer trip, it’s possible to easily travel all the way from Proud Lake State Park downriver to Lake Erie, staying in canoe camps along the way.
You can also rent canoes and kayaks at Skips Canoe Livery. Rent at Delhi Metropark and Skips will drive you and your boat up to Hudson Mills Metropark. Contact Skips at (734) 769-8686.
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This page is a part of the Hudson Mills Metropark App.
Hudson Mills Activity Center
The Activity Center at Hudson Mills Metropark is a multi-purpose building, mostly providing a small nature center with a chance to talk to park rangers about your visit, as well as food service on summer weekends. During the winter, the entry to the building is usually open, even when the main building is closed, providing a chance to warm up to runners and cross-country skiers.
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This page is a part of the Hudson Mills Metropark App.
Hudson Mills Rapids
Despite running over 200km, the Huron River has retained only two sets of rapids. Hudson Mills Metropark possesses the first set (the other is located in Delhi Metropark).
The Huron River isn’t a very rugged river, and the rapids aren’t very rugged, either. Depending on the water level, the rapids can sometimes be drifted over without noticing them, can be challenging in a canoe, or can be impassible due to low water. There’s a good canoe portage on the west side of the river, by the Hudson Mills Ruins.
There’s plenty of places to view Hudson Mills Rapids, from the northern picnic area in the main park all the way around the rapids, over the bridge, then back down by the river and the Hudson Mills Ruins.
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This page is a part of the Hudson Mills Metropark App.