Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester MI review, pics, events, and info. Bear Creek Nature Park is an impressively clean 107-acre park on West Snell road just east of Orion road in Rochester. The park is maintained by the Charter Township of Oakland Parks and Recreation Commission.
Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester
Looks are deceiving when you first pull into the parking lot at Bear Creek. The parking lot is very small and the main park building is a large, locked shed with minimal information on the park surrounding it. There isn’t a large indoor bathroom facility, just attached port-o-john units attached to the main building. I’m not saying this to discourage you from visiting; I was quite impressed with Bear Creek once I got to exploring it.
In the front area of Bear Creek Nature Park is a large, open field. Attached to the scenic field is a fairly large playscape for kids. The pavilion is very modern and features large picnic tables and a huge BBQ grill. The rentable shelter is very sturdy and looks very new.
The allure of Bear Creek Nature Park is the path and trail system. They’re meticulously cared-for. The most impressive facet of the trails is that many of the paths are 8′ wide limestone trails that are ADA accessible. No stumbling over tree roots and uneven surfaces! The Bear Creek Nature Park trail map lists the extensive 8′ paths, limestone trails, woodchip trails and open field mowed trails. Even the smaller mowed trails are extremely well-kept. This trail system is as perfect as it gets (and safe) for rigorous exercise as it is for a leisurely stroll! Horses and dogs are both welcome. There are outlets for doggy-do bags and numerous resting benches along the path. Dogs are required to be on a leash. I encountered some horseback riders (see pics). In addition to the dog walkers & and equestrians, I encountered many deer (see pics) along the well-manicured paths!
Even if you aren’t locked into using the paths for exercise, the Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester trails are great for spotting wildlife. The observation decks surrounding the marshlands provide plenty of opportunities to spot birds, waterfowl, turtles and frogs in addition to deer. The park provides an excellent mix of marshy lowlands, rolling meadows, rustic, open fields and hardwood forest to seek out the natural habitat those areas provide.
Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester Ice Rink
The park features an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter. The skating rink is open from 10a-5p daily when conditions are perfect for ice-skating. No skate rental is available and the ice rink is unsupervised. Hockey is prohibited at the rink.
The Bear Creek Nature Park Ice Rink Hotline is 248-651-4440 Ext. 289. The ice rink at Beer Creek Nature Park is only open when conditions are absolutely perfect for ice skating. Please call ahead to check conditions. Oakland Twp Recreation DOES NOT open this ice rink very often… even when every other outdoor ice rink in Metro Detroit is open. Please make sure you call the hot line before venturing out.
Other winter recommendations for Bear Creek Nature Park include cross-country skiing. For pavilion rental information, call the Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Department at 248-651-7810.
Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester Events
Saturday, January 25, 2025 from noon-4p
Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester Events – Oakland Twp Winter Carnival 2025
Bear Creek Nature Park (740 West Snell, Rochester, Michigan 48306) FREE Park & Shuttle At Rochester Christian Church (4435 Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48306, 248-652-3353)
Activities include – live entertainment, crafts, a magic show, ice sculpture demonstration with photo ops, puppet show, archery target shooting, penguin bowling, snowball toss, snowball fight, ice skating (weather dependent), and more. Warm beverages and pizza will be on hand while supplies last. FREE parking at Shuttle located at Rochester Christian Church (4435 Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48306, 248-652-3353). ALL PARKING IS AT THIS LOCATION. This is a FREE event hosted by Oakland Twp Parks and Rec. MORE INFO…
Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 11a-3p
Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester Events – Goodison Good Tyme
Bear Creek Nature Park (740 West Snell, Rochester, Michigan 48306)
Enjoy FREE food, crafts, a food truck, face-painting, zipline fun, and entertainment. This event is hosted by Oakland Twp Parks and Recreation.
Bear Creek Nature Park
740 West Snell
Rochester, Michigan 48306
BEAR CREEK NATURE PARK ROCHESTER PHOTO CREDITS – All Photos without an OCM Watermark are courtesy of Oakland Twp Parks & Recreation (with permission)
See our Oakland County Parks Tab for more Oakland County and Metro Detroit, Michigan park reviews and pics
For more info on Bear Creek Nature Park Rochester, visit www.oaklandtownship.org.
