Where are the best sled hills? Here’s the list. Click the link for maps (this is a full-service website!). Go to the bottom of the list for some sledding tips. Have a great time!
Palmer Park- Port Huron
Palmer Park in Port Huron has a great setup for beginning sledders and advanced sledders. Don’t have a sled? No problem. You can borrow one from them through the Sport Port Program.
Columbus County Park
Columbus County Park has a big hill that is very popular on snowy days. They also have a lodge with real bathrooms (not a porta-potty), making it very family-friendly. The hill is open from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and has lighting, so you can even sled in the dark. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hill is closed if the snow melts. Mud sledding is just not the same.
For current sledding conditions, call 810-989-6960.
East China Township Park
East China Township Park has a popular and steep hill. Take a look at the rules from East China Township. The park has bathrooms and the hill is lit up.
Marysville City Park
Marysville City Park has a manmade sledding hill. The huge park with a view of the St. Clair River also has porta-potties and ample parking.
Port Huron Township Lion’s Club Hill
There is a big hill near the Lion’s Club, right off of Water Street, near the expressway in Port Huron Township. The hill is right next to the Black River, so extreme care needs to be taken to avoid taking an unwanted dip into the frigid water.
King Road Park – Marine City
King Road Park in Marine City has a big hill and a “slow down” area at the bottom. There are portapotties and a pavilion.
Did we miss a public sledding hill? We can’t let that happen. Send an email to events@bluewaterparent.com with the details.
Tips for sledding:
There’s not much more exhilarating than sledding for a little kid. Sledding is pretty easy, as minimal equipment is required, and gravity does the work. Climbing back up the hill is another story.
The main rules for sledding are to dress in layers and to watch where you are going. It’s easy to get overheated after climbing back up the hill, so be mindful of layers and the ability to loosen up clothing as body temperature rises. Pay attention to keeping feet warm. Some wool socks are a good investment to keep toes warm, and the old-fashioned method of using a bread bag (or bagel bag, produce bag, whatever) to keep feet dry in boots never fails.
Getting clobbered by someone zooming down the hill can dampen the fun, so teach kids how to wait until the path is clear before launching their sled, and remind them to make a lot of noise to get the attention of potential victims if they are careening toward fellow-sledders.
Another thing to keep in mind is that very young children are ok with a few times up and down the hill. Big kids can stay all day. So be mindful of different age levels and their differing cold tolerances and attention spans.
Have fun making memories on the Blue Water Area’s beautiful sledding hills.
