Name: Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve
Address: 14801 Arnold Rd., Brooklyn, MI, 49230

Michigan's 103rd state park includes 717 acres of land in Norvell Township, Jackson County and 405 acres of land in Manchester Township.

The park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, bird watching, and upland hunting. The property includes a 4.5-mile former rail corridor that traverses the property from east to west. The trail links state and county parcels and has the potential to be developed into a non-motorized multi-use trail, well-suited for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

The park is located 15 miles from Jackson and 25 miles from Ann Arbor.

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve

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

This working farm features a petting farm, hayrides, 12-acre corn maze, and farm tours. Fusilier Family Farm & Greenhouse offers a seasonal selection of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, fresh produce, pumpkins, gourds, and corn maze. Call for seasonal hours of operation (May-October).

Fusilier Family Farm & Greenhouse

Located on the banks of the River Raisin in southwestern Washtenaw County, Sharon Mills County Park offers the opportunity to visit a significant historic site in a beautiful natural setting. Prior to its acquisition by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission in 1999, Sharon Mills was most recently used to house a winery.

The mill was originally constructed in the mid-1850s. It was then purchased and nearly rebuilt by Henry Ford in the 1930s for use as a small factory. Sharon Mills is listed as a State of Michigan Historic Site.

- Birdwatching
- Dogs Allowed
- Fishing (license required)
- Landscape Gardens
- Picnic Shelter
- Trails - Natural ground and paved
- Mountain Biking
- Non-motorized Vehicles Allowed

Sharon Mills

Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow is a dynamic area, featuring more than 260 species of wildflowers and other native plants. This preserve lies in the Upper River Raisin Watershed, an area highly altered by agriculture, logging and development.

As you hike the trails through ﬂoodplain forest and wooded wetlands, look for a vast array of wildﬂowers and other native plants. Beginning in mid-spring, woodland plants come to life, including bright blue hepatica, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, southern blue ﬂag iris, squirrel corn, starﬂower, bloodroot and large-ﬂowered trillium.

This walking tour takes you along a mile and a half route. Depending on how many stops you take, it will be about one hour until you reach the River Raisin.

The Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow serves to protect many remaining natural communities, stopover habitat for migrating birds and the river itself, which winds approximately 25 miles to TNC’s 700-acre Ives Road Fen preserve before continuing on to Lake Erie.

Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow

Enjoy authentic old world Italian recipes in a casual European atmosphere at Frank's Place. Open seven days, serving lunch and dinner.

Frank's Place

Carr Park (approximately 20 acres) has four pavilions with picnic tables, two restrooms, a drinking fountain, parking lots, bicycle rack, softball diamond, backstop, bleachers, two sand volleyball courts, two memorial plaques set in stone, benches, grills, merry-go-round, two swing sets, one slide, one jungle gym, a marsh, and a pond.

This is the site of the Fourth of July community picnic, games, fireworks and the annual Riverfolk Festival. The baseball diamond is used by the Summer Recreation Programs including PeeWee, T-Ball, Little League and softball teams in addition to volleyball and Soccer. It is also a popular play and picnic spot.

Carr Park

Leonard Preserve is the largest natural area in the County's system of NAPP preserves and protects nearly one mile of River Raisin shoreline.

Located just northwest of the Village of Manchester, this rich and diverse landscape includes rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, prairie and former pasture land.

The diversity of habitats makes for very good wildlife viewing. Wood ducks, coyotes, and blue racers are some of the animals you may see at this preserve.

- Acres: 259
- Trail Length: 4.2 miles (Natural, unpaved)

Leonard Preserve

Ollie's Pizza and Grinders is an Italian restaurant with a menu ranging from pizza to finger food appetizers to burgers and more.

Ollie's Pizza and Grinders

Over The Edge Sports Bar & Pizzeria is a great place to grab a bite to eat, watch the big game, or enjoy some great drinks. They have great daily specials, friendly staff, and fast service, so you're sure to have a great time!

Over The Edge Sports Bar And Pizzeria

The Village Tap offers burgers, sandwiches, and other pub grub in Downtown Manchester.

The Village Tap

The Blacksmith Shop was built in 1877 by a group of stone masons in just eight days. The shop was owned and operated at that time by William F. Neebling, who sold it to Theodore Morschheuser in 1909. John Schneider became an apprentice to Morschheuser in 1911, and in 1922, Mr. Schneider continued the practice of making and repairing wagons, wheels, and related items made from hammered steel. He also shoed horses to supplement his income. John Schneider owned the Blacksmith Shop until his death in 1952. The Blacksmith Shop, one of Michigan's last intact Main Street blacksmith shops, was purchased by the Manchester Area Historical Society in 1982. The Blacksmith Shop is the meeting place and training center for several who still practice the blacksmith craft. Demonstrations are often presented during local festivals. The blacksmiths welcome your questions and enjoy explaining how the forge operates.

John B. Swainson Room and Black Smith Blacksmith Shop

One of the only distilleries in Michigan batch making spirits from scratch. Their signature product, Cane and Grain, is described as a blend of vodka and rum. Cane and Grain is a clear spirit made from scratch with grains, which gives it a unique flavor that appeals to whiskey drinkers. Visit River Raisin Distillery by the river in Manchester!

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve

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