Belle Isle Park, a 985-acre island park located in the Detroit River near downtown Detroit, provides spectacular views of Detroit to the North and Canada to the south. It's home to the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Ralph Wilson Gateway (which serves as the official southern trailhead for Michigan's Iron Belle Trail), a golf course and many more cultural and natural attractions. Visitors can also swim at the designated swim beach, ride bicycles, fish, paddle and more.
The DNR is reviewing options for the deteriorated Belle Isle Boathouse.
DDOT offers bus service to the island via the #12 Conant route. A Recreation Passport is not required. Service runs approximately every 60 minutes 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Sunday.
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There are two accessible fishing piers located off Riverbank Road and Strand Road.
Seasonal modern restrooms (including accessible stalls) and portable toilets are available throughout the island. Heated restrooms, including Bus Stop, Casino (currently closed for upgrades) and Flynn, remain open year-round.
*Bus Stop 7 in the aquarium parking lot and Sunset Point offer accessible parking, sidewalks and ramps.
There are plenty of paddling opportunities in the Detroit River, inland lakes, canals and lagoons. There are two accessible kayak launches, one located along Woodside Drive and the other across from the Detroit Yacht Club (follow signs for Detroit Jet Ski).
There are 15 picnic shelters throughout the island that include picnic tables and charcoal grills (#2 and #8 have electrical service and restrooms connected to the shelter). Shelter reservations can be made 12 months in advance at MiDNRReservations.com.
View location, capacity, fee and other amenity info for each shelter.
For special events (activities with 200-plus people), contact the events office at 313-821-9851 or DNR-BelleIsleParkEvents@Michigan.gov.
An accessible playground, which sits on a rubberized surface that makes access easier for those of all mobility levels, and the giant slide (open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Wednesday-Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Ride for just $1) are located in Kids Row on Central Avenue.
You may not possess or consume an alcoholic beverage at any time in the park (unless the park manager has granted written authorization through an event permit).
Simple Adventures offers bicycle and MoGo bicycle rentals. Hours are weather-dependent.
Bicycling is popular along the bicycle lanes located on the park's main perimeter road and on the new multi-use Eugene and Elaine C. Driker Trail on the east end of the park.
Food trucks are available (seasonally) around the island, including a popular location at Kids Row (near the giant slide). Visit belleislefoodtrucks.com for a complete list of food trucks.
There are, two self-pay EV fast-charging stations in the park.
A variety of fish species are available in the Detroit River, including bass, walleye and catfish.
The Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse, the oldest marble lighthouse in the country, is located on the Detroit River on the north end of the island. It was built in 1929 with private donations as a memorial to William Livingstone, who was the president of the Lakes Carriers Association from 1902 to 1925. It's a working lighthouse; however, there are no public tours.
Simple Adventures offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, available at the designated swim beach Memorial Day through Labor Day. For reservations and rates, visit simpleadventures.net.
There are several picnic areas located throughout the island.
A buoyed swim area is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Belle Isle, the third-largest island in the Detroit River, is also home to Lake Muskoday, the Blue Heron Lagoon, Lake Okonoka, Lake Tacoma and several canals that link the lakes and the river.
Our virtual tours are an immersive way to explore locations from home with detailed visual information. The Belle Isle virtual tour includes the park entrance, boardwalk, kayak launch, playground, picnic shelters and more.
Visit the DNR's website to find applications, price structure, agreements for one-day vendors, photography, rentals and more.
Visit the DNR's website to find applications, price structure, agreements for one-day vendors, photography, rentals and more.
