Sterling State Park
Sterling State Park
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
178 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
59
Average
26
Poor
7
Terrible
7
Lisa K
Portage, IN40 contributions
Aug 2021
Spent a long weekend in August camping at Sterling State Park along the Lake Erie shore. We have stayed there before and had such a good experience that we went back again. The camp sites were as nice as we remembered and we were surprised to see that they have added small cottages for those without tents or campers. We use tents and the sites we like are near the beach and nicely level with large fire pits, picnic tables and electric hookup. The bathroom and shower facilities are top notch and clean.
We enjoyed the beach, fishing and walking trails (which are paved). The weather was great and not too hot. It's about 20 minutes from the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village so we were able to have some fun filled days there, too. Overall, a fun trip for my husband and I with our teenage daughter.
We enjoyed the beach, fishing and walking trails (which are paved). The weather was great and not too hot. It's about 20 minutes from the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village so we were able to have some fun filled days there, too. Overall, a fun trip for my husband and I with our teenage daughter.
Written 15 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel548
Farmington Hills, MI741 contributions
Sept 2020
This isn't a huge park, and we didn't camp here, but spent a day here. We didn't swim here, but spent the day hiking around. Enjoyed the views and beach area. Everything was clean, including bathrooms. There was a food truck to grab some lunch, so that was nice. We drove through the campground just to check it out and we found the sites to be very close together with no shade trees at all. I think we'd return for day use, but likely wouldn't camp here.
Written 10 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J Bosch
Coopersville, MI11 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We stayed in the newly constructed cabins along the shores of Lake Erie. Beautiful views!! The cabins were a step up from camping. Running water, private shower and toilet. 2-bed rooms and pullout couch! The six of us fit just fine !(mom, dad, kids-17,15,14,11) 2 of the kids had to share a bed, but they figured it all out!
We will definitely come again, but will include the following in our packing:
* bedding(comforter or blankets are NOT included!!) and mattresses are super crinkly/noisy so probably a mattress pad too!
*hand towels— they only provided 2 wash clothes
*camp chairs
*bikes - there is a lot of paved paths to explore— just be on the lookout for snakes!!
* the kids say we need our fishing boat and all those accessories, but our boys caught fish from shore along the beach in Front of our cabin
*hammock
*a coffee single serve pod machine was provided..
*they provided a broom and the chairs on the screen porch are great!
We will definitely come again, but will include the following in our packing:
* bedding(comforter or blankets are NOT included!!) and mattresses are super crinkly/noisy so probably a mattress pad too!
*hand towels— they only provided 2 wash clothes
*camp chairs
*bikes - there is a lot of paved paths to explore— just be on the lookout for snakes!!
* the kids say we need our fishing boat and all those accessories, but our boys caught fish from shore along the beach in Front of our cabin
*hammock
*a coffee single serve pod machine was provided..
*they provided a broom and the chairs on the screen porch are great!
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI1,084 contributions
Aug 2020
Our first visit to this state park. Our intention was to walk the trail. It is surprising lovely with so many natural features to enjoy...the trees (cottonwoods), the wildflowers, the greenery, the marsh (first cattail seen in many years), the lily pads (few flowers at this time of year), the large pond, and the birds (herons, swans, ducks, egrets), and butterflies. Even the buzzing bees here and there were fun to watch as they flitted from flower to flower. The information kiosks are nice, with lots of info to help you identify what is all about you. Thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Hope to return in the fall! And it's free if you have the state recreation passport!! So worth the annual fee!!
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ken k
Onsted, MI3,732 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
This is a pretty nice park. It has many campsites with some on the lake. It sits on the shores of lake Erie. The beach is quite large. It could use a fee more trees. You can enter with s Michigan park pass or buy one at the front gate with cash only.
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL5,447 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
My wife and I visited Sterling State Park in Monroe, MI to see Lake Erie. It was a scorching day. The beach was okay. Compared to the beaches I’m used to in Florida, it was not very nice. The water was warm, but it did not look very clean and inviting. The beach itself wasn’t terrible and was long; however, there was a lot of trash laying around. I did like the trees along the coast with the exposed roots. Overall, it was nice for a short stop off the interstate to stretch our legs, but I would not particularly want to spend the day there or swim in the water.
Written 2 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmyofLansingMI
Lansing, MI132 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Visited Sterling State Park on a blustery fall day. The shoreline was nice with lots of shell fragments. Interesting trees with roots exposed also along the shore. There's a HUGE campground there, with most all of the campsites in the open. Not the most beautiful of state parks, but worth the visit for nice access to Lake Erie.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shirley T
20 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Small park with beach frontage. extremely long drive way to get to beach. a few picnic tables with open building. No playground or designated play area for kids. The best part was the Great sunset pictures.
Written 17 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buddy
Okemos, MI4 contributions
Jul 2022
Brought the family to the Monroe area State Park-never again! So much disgusting green slime in the water, we just left...Not sure why ANYONE would want to vacation in the Monroe are, if you are looking for clean water. I'm going UP NORTH next time.
Written 25 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel B
1 contribution
Jul 2014
Arrived to go camping on a friday. Paid cash for two ni ghts. Second day they told us to leave after we already paid for the second. They employee who checked us in stole our other $24 when we checked in had us signed up for one night instead of two like we originally paid for. The park rangers wouldn't do anything about it. They forced us to leave. Saying their hands were tied. They let their employee steal money from myself and my family and ruin our camping trip. We gave the lady two twenty dollar bills and eight single dollars. This lady still has a job after stealing from us. This wasn't right and this needs to be set right. They should really look into who they have working for them. The employees are thieves they steal money from campers. Pay credit card if you choose to camp here. We were robbed don't let it happen to you!
Written 20 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the daily cost for a non-season pass holder and are dogs allowed on the beach?
Written 27 June 2022
How close is the swimming beach to the campsites # 194 or 231?
Written 21 September 2019
I stayed in 143 and it was about a 100ft walk to the beach, then 50-60ft more to the water, if that gives you a scale. Using the "short cut" trail, you're probably about 300ft from the water at 194 and about the same for 231. Disclaimer: educated guess only.
Written 24 September 2019
They received a grant in 2001 for renovations including a new campground and there was construction in 2002 so no older than that.
Campground generally open sometime in April through sometime soon n early November.
Written 14 July 2019
Camperfan734
Monroe, Michigan
All Michigan State Parks have the same policy on camping. Unless you are the camp host, the longest you can stay in a single trip is 15 nights, then you must leave for at least 5 nights unless the supervisor of the park says otherwise. Full hook up sites at Sterling are $35 per night and electric only are $26
Written 21 April 2017
Are dogs allowed at the park and in the water they will be on a leash.
Written 24 September 2016
Dogs may be allowed to swim at the lagoon, but not on the beach. Dogs are allowed only in he grassy areas near the beach.
Written 28 December 2016
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