Name: Waterloo State Recreation Area
Address: 16345 McClure Rd, Chelsea, MI, 48118

Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula. The 20,000-acre park is home to campgrounds, swimming beaches, trails, picnic sites, the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center and more. The park is best known for its premiere mountain biking trails, disc golf, equestrian opportunities, fishing, hunting and the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail.

Waterloo State Recreation Area

Ann Arbor is a dynamic mix of energy and charm—a bustling university town, [a foodie’s paradise](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/), and a cutting-edge tech hub, all wrapped in a [walkable downtown](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/downtown/) bursting with [world-class arts and culture.](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/) Located in Michigan’s southeast Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor is the heartbeat of a vibrant [network of communities](https://www.annarbor.org/surrounding-destinations/) across Washtenaw County. With its creative spirit, diverse flavors, and unique neighborhoods, Ann Arbor shines as a exciting oasis.

Whatever your passion, the Ann Arbor area has something to ignite it. Savor world-class cuisine, explore nature’s stunning landscapes, discover eclectic boutiques, and dive into museums rich with history. Enjoy thrilling sports, captivating arts, and a culture that’s vibrant and welcoming.

Our visitors flock to the area for a variety of reasons. But there’s one thing they can agree upon: There’s so much to see and do, one day is simply not enough. [Get inspired for your Ann Arbor area getaway](https://www.annarbor.org/plan/visitors-guide/ "Get inspired for your Ann Arbor area getaway").

Playeasy Innovators Summit Destination Demo

Ann Arbor is a dynamic mix of energy and charm—a bustling university town, [a foodie’s paradise](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/), and a cutting-edge tech hub, all wrapped in a [walkable downtown](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/downtown/) bursting with [world-class arts and culture.](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/) Located in Michigan’s southeast Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor is the heartbeat of a vibrant [network of communities](https://www.annarbor.org/surrounding-destinations/) across Washtenaw County. With its creative spirit, diverse flavors, and unique neighborhoods, Ann Arbor shines as a exciting oasis.

Destination Ann Arbor

The [Ann Arbor Sports Commission](https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/ "Ann Arbor Sports Commission") works diligently to improve the quality of life through sports for all of Washtenaw County. The [Ann Arbor area](https://www.annarbor.org/ "Ann Arbor area") attracts both sports enthusiasts and participants alike. Thanks to its [easy accessibility](https://www.annarbor.org/plan/getting-here-getting-around/ "easy accessibility"), [wide range of facilities](https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/facilities-venues/ "wide range of facilities") available and variety of [dining](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/ "dining") & [entertainment](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/ "entertainment") options, the Ann Arbor area is a favorite of sporting event organizations. The area has a rich sporting culture seeding in the history of two Division 1 athletic programs ([University of Michigan](https://www.annarbor.org/university-of-michigan/ "University of Michigan") and Eastern Michigan University) and several other small institutions. The Ann Arbor Sports was formed to attract amateur sporting events to the Ann Arbor region by assisting organizers every step of the way.

Ann Arbor is a dynamic mix of energy and charm—a bustling university town, a [foodie’s paradise](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/ "foodie's paradise"), and a cutting-edge tech hub, all wrapped in a [walkable downtown](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/downtown/ "walkable downtown") bursting with [world-class arts and culture](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/ "world-class arts and culture"). Located in Michigan’s southeast Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor is the heartbeat of a vibrant network of [communities across Washtenaw County](https://www.annarbor.org/surrounding-destinations/ "communities across Washtenaw County"). With its creative spirit, diverse flavors, and unique neighborhoods, Ann Arbor shines as a exciting oasis.

Ann Arbor Sports Commission

The Lakehouse Bakery is proud to serve up mouth-watering treats daily that are made with the freshest ingredients and served with love. The bakery also offers hands-on classes where the students will make baked goods and leave with recipes and tips.

The Lakehouse Bakery

The Eddy Discovery Center, at Waterloo Recreation Area, introduces visitors to the fascinating world of geology and to the diverse natural habitats that are found today within Waterloo's 20,000-plus acres. Waterloo Recreation Area has miles of trails offering hikers of all ages and abilities the chance to explore the diverse geology and habitats from forest wetlands to mature oak-hickory forests. The exhibit hall inside the center explores Michigan's geology and diverse habitats through the years from the Ice Age through European settlement to today. Waterloo is also a great place to view Sandhill Cranes in a self-guided tour of the Haehnle Sanctuary.

Eddy Discovery Center

his quaint, rustic equestrian campground is surrounded by a beautiful hardwood forest and located at approximately 8400 Loveland Road in Chelsea. It has 25 spacious, grassy sites available for campers with horses.

Each site has a firepit, picnic table and picket posts. Other amenities include vault toilets and a solar well pump for water. While the campground is rustic, visitors can take showers at the Sugarloaf Lake Campground May through October, just up the road, for a small fee. Campsites are reservable except for certain event weekends.

The campground connects approximately 21 miles of Waterloo's equestrian trails as well as the day-use staging area, which offers a mounting block and pavilion for gatherings and picnics.

Waterloo Equestrian Campground

The Waterloo Recreation Area, located in Chelsea, is a popular riding destination with approximately 21 miles of heavily wooded trails open to hiking and horseback riding. There are four trail loops of varying lengths including a 5-mile loop, a 12-mile loop, a 14-mile loop and a 3-mile kids loop for beginner riders

. Rocks and hills are a plenty along the trails, as are sandy, rolling hills, grassy fields and large hardwood forests. There are many destinations to visit as you traverse along the trails following the directional signage. Trail destinations include the switchbacks, picnic areas at creek crossing and the pine stand as well as the lake overlook on the kids loop which connects to the Equestrian Campground also known as the horsemen's campground.

Waterloo has two staging areas for day use visitors, one is located at the horsemen’s campground on the east side of the park and the other is on Maute Road centrally located on the trail system. The staging area near the campground has a gorgeous pavilion for gatherings or picnics, a mounting block, vault toilets and a hand pump for water. The smaller Maute Road staging area has mounting blocks and a vault toilet.

Waterloo-Equestrian Trails

Artists Bill and Marsi Darwin’s impressive studio features beautiful works of art in stained glass. Most designs are original and feature craftsmanship learned from family members and materials made in the U.S.A. Custom pieces available. Artist also buys, sells and restores vintage slot machines. Visit website for work samples and map.

Darwin's Stained Glass Studio & Antique Slot Machines

The DTE Energy Foundation Trail is a single-track, trail located in southeast Michigan. It's known for mountain biking, running, hiking and cross-country skiing are allowed too.

Known as a bike-optimized "flow trail,” the surface is mechanically cut to create highly structured grades and outslopes. The loops cover varying terrain and experience levels, including technical, downhill and climbing features. Many call the trail "**Michigan's dirt rollercoaster**!"

The trail consists of four loops, including the Green Lake Loop (5.2 miles), Big Kame Loop (4.8 miles, Winn Loop (8 miles) and Sugar Loop (4 miles). Sugar Loop is the newest section and the most technical.

The trail is located seven miles north of Chelsea on M52 in Waterloo Recreation Area, just 30 minutes west of Ann Arbor.

DTE Energy Foundation Trail

Located in the hilly northwestern corner of the county, Park Lyndon contains one of southern Michigan's finest natural areas. Over 500 species of plants are found in a wide variety of habitats including fens, marshes, bogs, ponds, forest, and prairie.

Two miles of marked nature trails wind through the steep, glacially sculpted hillsides, connecting to the state's Waterloo-Pinkney Trail for a combined hiking experience of almost 50 miles.

Park Lyndon

Chelsea Antiques houses an unusual collection of vintage home items and unique antiques, linens, jewelry, Victorian, small collectibles, tins, fishing lures and much more.

Chelsea Antiques

Mike's Deli features 72 different sandwiches using Zingerman's breads. Side salads, soups, gourmet cheesecakes and mini melts ice cream round out the menu. A treasure in downtown Chelsea, seats 40.

Mike's Deli

The Potting Shed is an adorable antique and specialty shop located in vibrant, historic downtown Chelsea featuring vintage linens, antique furnishings, garden ware, birdhouses, handmade bath and body items, clothing, jewelry, vintage candy, and more.

The Potting Shed

The Rumpus Room is a place for merrymaking, jollification, amusement, cheer, hoopla, and shenanigans!

The Rumpus Room is a live music and events venue located in downtown Chelsea. They invite you to one of their many events open to the public or come to explore our venue for your next private event. Suitable for gatherings up to 100 people.

Waterloo State Recreation Area

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