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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Open Friday through Sunday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Opened in 1904, the Belle Isle Aquarium is North America's oldest aquarium, showcasing a diverse collection of freshwater fish from the world's great lakes and rivers, alongside vibrant marine fish and corals.
Athletic Fields offer softball, football, basketball, handball, racquetball and tennis programs. Fees vary.
Open Wednesday through Sunday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory features an indoor display of plants from around the world, outdoor seasonal flora beds and a lily-koi pond. In addition to unique horticultural and aquatic collections, the building itself is a draw for architecture and history buffs as it was designed by Albert Kahn, one of Detroit’s most celebrated architects.
Open Friday-Sunday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spanning 16,000 square feet, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum reveals 300 years of Great Lakes maritime history, emphasizing Detroit's central role. Exhibits explore the dominance of shipping and the profound impact of the Great Lakes and Detroit River on the region's industrial and social growth.
The cost is $5 adults/kids and $20 for a household. FREE for Detroit Historical Society members and children under 6 years old.
Closed through a portion of 2026 for reconstruction of the lower bowl.
Completed in 1925, the James Scott Memorial Fountain stands as a centerpiece of Belle Isle Park. Designed by architect Cass Gilbert and sculptor Herbert Adams, this grand fountain features a massive marble basin adorned with sculpted figures, and a central water spray that soars high into the air. Today, the fountain is a beloved landmark and a popular location for sightseeing and photos.
Open year-round (with the exception of special events)
5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Designed by world-renowned garden master Piet Oudolf, the Oudolf Garden Detroit features 35,000 locally grown perennials, creating 1,500 plant groupings and 15 plant beds.
2025 opening date to be announced.
Open through Labor Day.
Experience Belle Isle's iconic giant slide. Six lanes of pure, exhilarating fun await. For just $1, enjoy this beloved Detroit landmark. Riders must be 48 inches tall.
The cost is $1 per ride.
Open Monday-Sunday
11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Fees vary
Tee off in the city at Belle Isle Golf!
Open year-round (with the exception of special events)
5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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.
Open daily (except New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Detroit Zoological Society's Belle Isle Nature Center offers interactive exhibits that explore how native wildlife adapts to human-built environments.
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 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.
