This was the second year that our group did an end of the school year campout at Sugarloaf Lake…read moreCampground. The kids loved spending time at the Gaga ball pit and the fishing dock. The kids also road the bikes around the sites and up and down the main hill. Our campsites were close to the park and beach, which was nice. The bathroom facilities were good, but the showers are dated and the lights would turn off and on randomly. We did get warnings from the park ranger for noise, I guess our neighbors weren't fans of our karaoke. It was before quite hours so me and my group were bummed. I do wish there was more activities, like a basketball court, at the site.

So, after daytripping Waterloo for years I finally camped there. Met some family for a…read moremini-reunion at the Sugarloaf Lake campground. I didn't have high expectations, but came away with a very favorable impression. What I liked most? Probably the quiet. Yes, there are times of the day that got a little noisy due to kids playing and dogs barking, but you're going to get that in any state park campground, and I gotten it much worse. Little to no road noise and generally pleasant neighbors. Bathrooms are fairly clean though in need of an update. Hot water never ran short in the showers. What I didn't like? My site. I picked what had to be the spot least shaded in the hottest parts of the day. Fortunately the rest of my family had shadier spaces and we hung out with them. Avoid site 92 unless you're camping early or late in the season. Generally, the camping area is fairly open, though a lot of it has at least fair shade most of the time. Our sites were on the far edge of the campground loop--it seemed like things were generally busier and louder close to the driveway into the camping area. Ice and firewood are available at the check in station and both are reasonably priced. Great for a chill weekend getaway without driving too far from urban southeast Michigan.

A nice and remote state park but no frills other than a walking trail and a few historic relics. I…read morewent here on a cold October day, and the ambiance was very nice. The walking trails aren't exhaustive at all, and I was in and out in less than an hour. There are absolutely no amenities. Leave your horse, bike, and kids at home. I've been to a lot of state parks, and this one was unique in its simplicity. It's in the middle of nowhere but only about 10 minutes off of US-127 and worth the quick stop. There is no camping, no definining environmental features, a dirt parking lot, and no restroom.

Beautiful park 189 acres of various trails with lots of fun and wildlife views of the lake and…read moremanny varied. trails are different levels of beginners. Bathroom and recreation picnic facilities.

Ok! I loved this place. So many acres to play on and drench yourself in mud. The price is beyond…read morefair. The gate guys were so nice and helpful as it was our first time there. Make sure you bring your orange flag. Fill out the waiver online before you go. You can bring in coolers and food and hang out while in there. I will definitely be back. I covered my Jeep in mud and loved every minute of it. You will too!

Entertaining ORV trails and scramble areas in an old gravel pit. Good for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt…read morebikes; also some jeep and truck areas. It's privately rather than state owned, so you don't need most of the usual Michigan DNR ORV permits. There are still waivers and ID requirements. I'm a mellow rider on a little 250 dual sport, so I can't speak to the aggressive areas like Warn Valley and Devil's Tower, but the Welcome Trail and Border Trail are right around my level. I found the terrain better maintained and more varied than The Mounds, and haven't tried Holly Oaks yet. Good fun!

"Under the Oaks" is the location where the Republican Party was formed in Jackson, MI in the 19th…read morecentury in opposition to slavery. This small park has several markers dedicated to this historical moment that changes American politics forever.

This place is great! Billy & Josh were great. Personalized service. I stunk and by the end I was…read morea axe thrower, not necessarily bullseye but at least the axe stuck! Go there have some fun you can even throw knives which is next..

We have been to Axe Play many times and we always ask for Angel. She is amazing! She keeps us in…read moretrack, helps improve our throws and make every time we go feel so special. Highly recommend Axe Play and ask for Angel!

After a $26 million renovation, the Jackson YMCA introduced a basketball-gym bag rule and lockers…read morethat are too shallow for a full-size gym bag. I'd used the same type of bag for years. Until June 23, 2026, that rule had never been enforced on me--not in the months after the remodel, not on prior visits. When staff pressed it that day, it felt arbitrary and set up a conflict that didn't need to happen. Day to day, it's an all-around poorly managed operation. They held the grand reopening after the renovation with a backboard pad already torn off and jagged metal exposed--it took well over a month to get it repaired after I kept asking. The gym floor is consistently filthy. That wasn't an isolated bad day with one employee. Over the past year I had multiple run-ins with other staff who were rude or dismissive. One involved a staff member who moved to shut the whole basketball gym down over kids misbehaving. Another involved two basketball players I coach and mentor who needed a ride home: while I finished a quick workout (about 15 minutes) in the 24/7 workout area after regular hours, staff wanted them to wait outside in the winter instead of letting them sit in the workout center seating area. My one-year suspension letter cited a pattern of my conduct--not just one incident. On June 23, 2026, the bag dispute in the basketball gym escalated badly. A staff member followed me, used profanity, made deeply offensive comments about my deceased mother, and said he wanted to meet me in the parking lot after his shift in about 45 minutes. He then took off his work shirt, handed over his walkie-talkie, and attempted to physically assault me in the basketball gym. Police were called; staff and other members physically restrained him until police arrived so I could safely leave the building. I filed a formal complaint to the CEO the same night. The next day, when leadership called to hear my side, I was asked not to post about the incident on social media. That left me feeling they were more focused on controlling the story than on member safety. Leadership said an investigation was underway and that security footage was preserved. I was told to avoid that staff member while he remained working in the same gym area. I bought a compliant backpack and used the locker. I tried to resolve things in writing. When the investigation concluded, I received the one-year suspension--not a clear outcome on staff accountability or whether members are actually safe when things go that far. I'm a long-time member. This is my experience: inconsistent enforcement, neglected maintenance, staff attitudes that added unnecessary tension, and a suspension that landed on me after the worst incident. Decide for yourself whether that matches "safe and welcoming for all."

The maintenance man who works in the locker room (an older black gentleman) is one of the kindest…read morepeople and best workers that I have ever met. He was such a great hire for the Y. I have never not seen him in there, cleaning and being so helpful to anyone who

Triple Crane is located in a quiet area in Chelsea, about 20 minutes west of Ann Arbor. It is one…read moreof the best meditation and spiritual centers in SE Michigan. According to its website, the center combines Classical Hatha Yoga and Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. It's a good community for anyone of Chinese heritage or if you are a Westerner interested in Buddhism, Chinese culture, meditation, or yoga. I have noticed many non-Chinese people who visit Triple Crane, whether to participate in the ceremonies or to join in the delicious Chinese vegetarian meals offered there. I usually visit for major events like Chinese New Year and the Buddha Bathing Festival. I want to do a one-day meditation retreat at Triple Crane at some point. I participated in Temple Stay and meditation retreats at Buddhist temples in South Korea and enjoyed them. It's a great way to get fresh air and quiet time, which is hard to find if you live in the city.