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    Sterling State Park

    3.5 (40 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Sterling State Park Photos

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    Saranya D.

    This review is only for the beach. It had great reviews everywhere so decided to try it out for the 4th of July weekend. Recreation passport is required to enter and it expires with your number plate. It's valid for all Michigan state parks. This is the only Michigan park on Lake Erie. There were lot of shade trees near the lake on the beach, picnic tables, restrooms and plenty of parking space. Good lengthy beach but was poorly maintained. Garbage and junk all over the area. Beach needs major clean up. I've never encountered so many smokers at the beach. Not suitable for family with kids.

    At the beach. At the beach. At the beautiful, beautiful beach
    Kevin J.

    I'm on a mission to bang out a bunch of reviews I never got around to which is likely gonna equate to a bunch of low star assessments as if someplace was really all that I probably would have reviewed it already. I've been to worse parks than SSP but it's definitely in the lower tier. I doubt I'll ever go back. The trail around the lagoon was pretty nice; I hiked maybe half of it but there's lots of nice trails in southeast Michigan. I can't speak on the campground. For me the draw was the beach back in the sweltering August of 21. My second floor loft with no windows and no air conditioning had gotten to be unbearable as the summer dragged on so by the end of that August it seemed all I did was go to work and go to the beach. Within the span of one week I swam in Lake Michigan, hurrah!, Lake Huron, hurray! and Lake Erie, yeesh! Don't get me wrong. It was refreshing but I could feel how dirty that water was. I didn't feel like I wanted to shower after Huron and Michigan like I did with Eerie. The beach at Belle Isle on the Detroit River seems cleaner than here. I did caption my one photo with an old Peanuts movie reference "at the beautiful, beautiful beach" but pretty to look at and pleasant to be in are two different things. Fermi 2, the nuclear plant that almost lost us Detroit lurks in the background belching out smoke. I have no doubt it's a hell of a lot cleaner than a coal plant but it's still difficult not to envision three eyed fish a la The Simpsons. I don't know what the best bet for swimming in a natural body around here is but I feel like the shallowest and most polluted of our Great Lakes ain't it. There's gotta be some smaller lakes inland.

    Nuclear steam towers in the distance

    Went for a day visit and had an okay experience. Walked the shoreline with my partner and enjoyed looking at the large trees and shells scattered along. For the most part the beach was clean, other than a used tampon applicator spotted in the middle of the shoreline. The sand had just been raked and had not settled yet which made walking difficult. Most camping guests were fairly respectful of the beach, although I was alarmed that there were many children swimming as a lightning storm started to roll in. The beach houses and RV spots are really close to the shore which is kind of a bummer if you're looking to enjoy the Great Lake. The nuclear steam towers in the distance did not bother me, I personally thought they were interesting to see.

    Site 24
    Lori L.

    One of our favorite places to camp cant ho wrong if u want paved bike walking trail, kayaking, beach time

    Alfred B.

    This park is very large. There is a large lakefront with a good opportunity for swimming. Use caution as there are not lifeguards and currents run past this location rather swiftly. In the park are a number of small bodies of water. There was, apparently, a coal dump around there somewhere now within the confines of the park. There is a unique water discharge project going on involving releasing groundwater into the lake somewhere offshore. It is a popular place for picnics There is camping on site. Across the lake is a nuclear plant at Monroe, Michigan, and another large coal burning plant to the south. It is a strange site to see while enjoying the park. There are plenty of play areas for children. Parks within the park. The facilities are very good. The rest rooms are kept clean.

    Beach area on Lake Erie
    Renee M.

    Nice place to camp. Park it's self was nice and clean. Bath houses and shower areas were nice and clean. Lots were nice and deep. It was nice to be able to sit at the camper and not feel like we were out by the road where everyone was walking by. The beach was beautiful! Lots of shade trees to take some shelter from the sun.

    Diana G.

    Had an amazing time with my family at this lake. So neat to swim in a fresh water lake and have an amazing time with my family. Lots of tables and not too crowded. Great play ground. But we mostly hung out and swam.

    Lake Erie after the storm rolled out
    Elise B.

    We visited for a camping trip labor day weekend, and the campground was 100% full. This is a park primarily full of campers with RVs. Our 2 person lightweight tent was the smallest I saw on the whole site! Overall the campground seemed family oriented and wasn't overly loud despite being full. We say DNR officers making rounds too. Appears that the camp host offers services and activities primarily on weekends, and theres even a "little library". It has full bathrooms and showers which were reasonably clean. This is a VERY urban campground, little to no tree cover on the camp sites. The beach is fairly nice but be aware that the sand closer to and into the water is like 90% broken up shells. I wouldn't go swim or go more than a foot into the waves without water shoes! Despite the smoke stacks and Fermi nuclear stacks, it can be quite scenic. Theres also a nice long nature trail and plenty of fishing areas (both with a fishing pier or to use a boat). As with all Michigan parks there is a fee for entrance or you need a rec pass, and there's a cost to camp. Weekends in summer you'll definitely want to reserve online. I recommend a site on the outside of the loop nearer the lake.

    Beach Area
    April D.

    This is a great state park! First time visiting, it is small but it has great trails, beach area, picnic area and restrooms. They offer camping here as well. My trip was a mini day trip and we had a blast! Walked the beach and picked up some awesome shells! The bathrooms were also amazingly clean! Would very much recommend, it is small but that's what makes it great!

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    11 months ago

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    3 years ago

    This park is pretty nice. There aren't many trees and the lake is kind of murky sometimes. The beach is nice to walk on.

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    7 years ago

    Beach was clean and nice. Well taken care of. It was a bit windy and chilly on the day we went, so we didn't go in the water.

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    7 years ago

    Very pretty and clean. Amazing views! Loved the camping area and beautiful Lake Erie. The boardwalk was nice as well.

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    8 years ago

    Awesome fishing. Nice grounds. Need to get pass online before you go. Off boat ramp you can catch large and small mouth bass.

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    Ask the Community - Sterling State Park

    Review Highlights - Sterling State Park

    The really nice thing about this park is that it does have a lot to do; the beach is on Lake Erie, with a boat launch.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Milan Beach

    Milan Beach

    3.7
    (21 reviews)
    19.0 mi

    I've been coming to this beach ever since GrandPa Heath sold the dirt to the highway construction…read morethen it was bean stubbly & a small beach with the cleanest water anywhere now look at it :) GOOD JOB Chuck

    I had to laugh when someone left a review-stating "the currents here drown many people." There's no…read morecurrent, it's a self contained body of water! It is a self contained spring fed quarry (if you need to put a name to it.) I have been coming here since I was 15..a long time. I actually loved the place so much-I moved to the area in 1999 to be closer to the beach-but shortly after we got into the area, the red tape politics closed down the beach for years. We were so bummed, but it was eventually taken over a couple of times by different people, but they just never ran it as well as the Heath Family-the 1st family to own "Heath Beach," as it was called most of the time. The problem came when one of the Huron parks named "Heather Heath Beach" was constantly shut down for their nasty water, and dangerous bacteria counts. (I believe it was a Huron Metro Park.) The news updated which parks were closed on the radio, daily. They'd say "Heather Heath Beach is closed again." The public heard "Heath Beach," and didn't go to the beach in Milan. It really hurt their attendance, so the owner filed a lawsuit bcuz they were losing their livelihood-as many of the reporters got lazy and would sometimes just say "Heath Beach is closed again." They wanted to force the news crews to clarify that it's a totally different beach that was being closed. The attorney fees ate up the last money they had; so they lost the family beach. The water was tested daily, and was sent to the health dept on the regular-and they claim with proof of testing that it was the cleanest, freshest water in the 13 surrounding states! The beach has never had any bacteria issues-unlike so many fresh water sources around. We moved away now, but it looks really nice since the new owners came in! Good luck to them-it was a great place for kids and adults to hang out, and enjoy the spring water that just makes your skin so soft and it always soaks the bones of any aches and pains in that warm mineral water. It's as warm as bath water, but every once in a while you will feel the refreshing spring releasing a little cold water on your toes! This beach gets raked daily, kept clean-and is definitely worth the trip!! Enjoy a fun time with the kiddo's in their roped off shallow end!

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    Milan Beach
    This pile of trash is just off the beach.
    This pile of trash is just off the beach.
    Milan Beach

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    GetAway Bay

    GetAway Bay

    5.0
    (2 reviews)
    19.0 mi

    This beach was Heath Beach back in the day-and the spring fed water is very clean! They had tested…read morethe water and was said to be the cleanest fresh water lake (quarry) in 13 states! We moved quite a distance away, but we'll travel for a day at Get Away Bay, aka Heath Beach!! Always a great time!

    Not so hidden GEM just south of Milan. Right off 23. You can see it from freeway! Slice of heaven…read more What was previously known as heath beach/ milan beach is the same natural spring fed lake with a new owner who is breathing a fresh life into the place. You can tell by the new chairs and picnic tables! Natural spring fed lake with just about everything you can think of for a fun day in the sun (summer... fall... and winter...) Let's start with summer... pontoon sun deck with diving board, dock with diving board, water slide... Plenty of room to lay out. Just about anything under the sun can be rented for maximum enjoyment.. paddle boards, boats, paddle boats, floats, rafts etc etc. all reasonable prices. Here with family? A roped off sandy beach area with a couple floats for the kids to enjoy. Also- ADA water toys to help those that need help getting into the water. A nice touch! Did I mention an ice cream cart that drives around?! Or if you don't want to wait... a snack bar with all the options... water/pop/gaterade and snacks... including ice-cream. Want to host a party? There is a barn. Or a pavilion and plenty of upgrades to make the day fun including grills to rent or comfortable lounge chairs. Rentals are endless.... Anything and everything to make the day great. Wouldn't be surprised if you could purchase a bathing suit at this place. Not into water? Plenty of fun activities on land. Volleyball nets, orbeez gun obstacle to go all tactical with your buddies, horse shoe, disc golf. Sounds like camping is now included. And plenty of fire pits to rent for a fall gathering. More to come with the follow up fall and winter reviews... hay rides. Bon fires... possible haunted hay ride? Ice rink in the winter? Really a year round haven of activity. Fishing is just on the weekdays. Plenty to get after!

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    GetAway Bay
    GetAway Bay
    GetAway Bay

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    Sterling State Park - beaches - Updated August 2026

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