With renowned fall color tours, nearly 1,200 acres of township parkland, opportunities for active sports enthusiasts, family fun and rustic explorations on more than 18 miles of nature trails, where will you get lost in Shelby Township's Suburban Wilderness?

It's the backcountry nature trails along the heron rookeries in Holland Ponds Park and the single track mountain bike runs in River Bends Park. It's the crack of the bat at Mae Stecker Park and the manicured greens of Cherry Creek Golf Club. It's family picnics at the Chief Gene Shepherd Park Splash Pad and firefighter playground. In all, the township’s “suburban wilderness” offers all the allure of nature and countless prospects for recreation. Find opportunities for your next adventure with the township’s trail maps and virtual visits.

Shelby Township provides an escape for nature lovers within many of its parks. Home to more than 100 species of native birds and animals, including nesting American bald eagles, and more than 80 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, it's hard to not fall for the township's beauty. To learn more about all of the natural wonders in our back yard, the township's Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center offers educational and cultural exhibits and events. Along with its township parks and recreation facilities, Shelby Township is home to the 4,000-acre Stony Creek Metropark and its 500-acre Stony Creek Lake. Shelby Township is also home to some of the state's premier hike and bike trails with strategic locations on statewide and regional trail systems.

Among these trails is the western-most portion of the Macomb Orchard Trail, which spans from the township's border with Rochester and ends in downtown Richmond. In full, the Macomb Orchard Trail is a 24-mile hike and bike path that connects to 180 miles of trails across southeast Michigan. The township is also home to a critical connection of the Macomb County 70-mile trail loop and the Iron Belle multi-use trail, ultimately connecting the City of Detroit to the Upper Peninsula's western tip. Shelby Township's trails offer residents and visitors a mix of scenic "up-north" hikes and Michigan Department of Transportation standard asphalt bike paths to meet all recreation needs.

Along with rustic opportunities, the township has 13 dedicated municipal parks. Within these parks, we offer an outdoor trap and archery range, a 27-hole disc golf course, an overnight organizational campground, a skateboard and BMX bike park, splash pad, a barrier-free playscape, a dog park,  manicured Heritage Garden surrounding spring-fed Heritage Lake, ice skating at Mae Stecker Park, 11 playgrounds,  21 baseball and softball diamonds, 11 picnic pavilions, 12 soccer fields, five outdoor basketball courts,  five tennis courts, nine sand volleyball courts, seven outdoor pickleball courts, seven horseshoe pits, and  four bocce ball courts.

No matter what you do for fun and to get away from it all, you can get lost in Shelby Township.