Michigan Bucket List: Biggest Sledding Hills in Michigan
Shandra Martinez
| 5 min read
When it comes to making winter memories with family and friends, you can't beat an afternoon of sledding in Michigan, feeling the rush of wind in your face as you fly across the wintery wonderland.
Whether you prefer taking it easy down rolling hills or speeding down icy slopes, Michigan has perfect sledding hills in communities and ski resorts across the state. Many county parks and recreation areas also have community sledding areas.
Sledding in Michigan is great for all ages because it doesn’t require lessons or costly gear. But the fun factor is always high. Here are our tips for teaching your kids sledding safety.
Check out our list of favorite sledding hills across Michigan where the whole family will enjoy the thrill of the hill.
Southeast Michigan sledding hills
Rolling Hills County Park, 7660 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti
The 439-acre park offers sledding on its rolling hills and equipment rentals if you’re unable to bring your own. Afterward, you can warm up by the fireplace in The Lodge.
Willow Metropark, 23200 S. Huron Road, New Boston
Sledding opportunities abound at this park, which has more than 1,500 acres of mature woodlands and scenic views of the Huron River. The sledding hills at Washago are lighted at night to extend the opportunities for winter fun.
East China Park, 701 Recor Road, East China
This sledding hill is open 24 hours and is lit in the evening. If it's cold but there's a shortage of snow, the park has a snow machine that can supplement snow coverage.
West Michigan sledding hills
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, 462 Scenic Drive, Muskegon
This spot not only offers a family sledding area, but also one of only four publically accessible luge tracks in the nation. Olympic thrills come with sliding down the 850-foot track designed by three-time Olympian Frank Masley.
Echo Valley Winter Sports Park, 8495 East H Ave, Kalamazoo
In addition to a 500-foot tubing hill, this park features eight quarter-mile long tracks on ultra-fast toboggans. Tubes and toboggans are free with admission. Open mid-December through February.
Double JJ Resort, 5900 Water Road, Rothbury
The resort features a 660-foot run for snow tubing and a tow rope to pull you back to the top. Warm up around the bonfire or inside at the snack shack, where you’ll find hot cocoa, beer specials, and treats.
Manhattan Park Sledding Hill, 331 Cascade Road SE, East Grand Rapids
This 43-acre park boasts two sledding hill areas. A moderate hill is on the southeast side behind the athletic field, and a steeper hill is back in the woods near the playground.
Sugar Bowl, 3560 Memorial Drive, Muskegon
Located in Muskegon State Park, Sugar Bowl Dune is one of the tallest sledding hills in Muskegon County. The top of the hill delivers breathtaking views of a frozen Lake Michigan. The sledding hill is at the parking loop at the foot of the hill on Scenic Drive, just south of where Memorial Drive ends.
Northern Michigan sledding hills
Timberlee Hill, 10484 S. Timberlee Drive, Traverse City
Timberlee Hills claims the title of the biggest tubing/sledding hill in the Mitten State. This no-frills operation has no set lanes or height restrictions for riders. A simple tow system helps visitors get back up the hill. Double tubes are available, and there’s hot food at the café.
Treetops Resort, 3962 Wilkinson Road, Gaylord
The resort's hill drops 80 feet over a distance of 400 feet, creating the perfect conditions for an exciting ride. It's easy to repeat the experience thanks to a tow rope that helps visitors experience “extreme” tubing over and over again.
Winter Sports Park, 1100 Winter Park Lane, Petoskey
The park’s large sledding hill is perfect for all ages because there’s plenty of room so sledders can have fun and stay safe.
Mid-Michigan sledding hills
Midland City Forest, 2840 E. Monroe Road, Midland
The sled hill is open daily from 8 a.m.-10 p.m., and lighted from 5-11 p.m. Groomed daily, the hill features lanes, allowing children to travel down the hill with fewer accidents. When conditions are favorable (15-17 degrees), snow is made on-site.
William Burchfield Park, 881 Grovenburg Road, Holt
Ingham County's largest park has 540 acres of scenic woods, trails and beach. During the winter, people come for the two sledding hills. One is for younger kids, and second for the more daring sledders. Snow tubes are available to rent for a two-hour period, weather permitting, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Hawk Island County Park, 1601 E. Cavanaugh St., Lansing
This sledding hill boasts a groomed 500-foot run with 16-foot lanes that drop about 50 feet in elevation. Sledders can skip the climb up the hill with the park’s conveyor lift. Snow-making machines extend the hill's operations.
Toboggan Hill, 5178 N. Washburn Road, Davison
This hill ranks as Genesee County Parks’ biggest, best and most challenging sled and toboggan area. The expert-level attraction features a long rolling hillside that gives the “thrills of a roller coaster ride,” according to the park.
Upper Peninsula sledding hills
Mont Ripley Ski Area, 49051 Ski Hill Lane, Hancock
Mont Ripley is a star attraction of the scenic Keweenaw Peninsula, the snowiest spot in the Midwest. The oldest ski area in Michigan, it also features a tubing park. This popular destination is owned by Michigan Technological University and sits between Houghton and Hancock.
Sault Seal Recreation Area, 2601 Minneapolis St., Sault Ste. Marie
The city's major outdoor winter recreational facility, the Sault Seal Recreation Area is equipped with seven tubing runs with two lifts. It also has a heated chalet with a view of the entire hill.
Mt. Zion Recreational Complex, E4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood
The tubing park is in a recreational complex that is part of Gogebic Community College. Children must be 6 years old or 42 inches high to use the tubing park.
Photo credit: @ash_jane_walter
