Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park
4
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Rich with history and natural beauty, Belle Isle Park is a Detroit gem and a Michigan state park. The 987-acre island park features the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, giant slide, athletic fields, picnic areas, Belle Isle Nature Zoo, the James Scott Memorial Fountain and more attractions popular with all ages and interests. The park includes three lakes, 150 acres of wooded area and spectacular views of the Detroit and Windsor skyline. Rentals available for: Watercraft, Bike, Snow Sports. Food and ice sales available. Recreation Passport Required for entry. Please check website for hours for each attraction.
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See what travellers are saying
- DutchLaceHolland, Michigan1,175 contributionsPleasantly SuprisedWe visited here 6 years ago and it was a dump. Trash was everywhere even with trashcans available. This visit was AMAZING!! Pathways nice to walk/bike. It was busy, so parking was difficult, but you could find parking. Conservatory and fountain were favorites. The gravel walk the lighthouse is easily accessible for strollers. Would love to see the lighthouse restored. There are some areas of the park that vandals have graffiti, but minor compared to our last visit. Good Job Staff.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 17, 2024
- David ENewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom383 contributionsA beautiful tranquil park with room to roam.Half-way between the USA and Canada, this island park (reached from Detroit) is a beautiful place to spend a day with a picnic or just walking around taking ion the sights. I have previously visited in the winter (when it was still good) but got the chance to go again in July and it was really good. There is a fantastic, large marble fountain at one end which I recommend, and lots of other interesting spots and impressive architecture to see. Highly recommended for a visit.Visited July 2024Travelled soloWritten August 9, 2024
- suespagnuoloLansing, Michigan2,395 contributionsBeautiful way to spend a day!What a fantastic way to spend the day. So much to see and do. Dossin Great Lake Museum, the Lighthouse, the Aquarium, the Fountain is magnificent, Conservatory gardens, Nature Center and drive all around the island and see the monuments and picnic areas, playgrounds. It's a full day of beautiful sites. My husband and I love the lighthouse, fountain and the Dossin Great Lake museum has alot of history but a special dedication to the Edmund Fitzgerald. We'll be back for sure. The riverfront is a beautiful walking venue. So much to see and do.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten September 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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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.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,107 reviews
Excellent
560
Very good
349
Average
119
Poor
48
Terrible
31
Judi T
Naperville, IL2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
I was quite pleased to see how the state has turned Belle Isle around, brought it back from the brink of decay. As a native East side of Detroit-er who had spent a lot of time on the island as a child, it was very refreshing to stroll around the Conservatory, with its abundance of exotic and not so exotic plant life, the aquarium, with native and non-native species, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a gem of a museum on shipping, pleasure boating, and more. None that f these are huge, all are free (donation accepted) and all, especially The Dossin, were fascinating. Quick, great for kids and adults alike, spend as little or as much time as you want. We never stayed at any one for more than 45 minutes.
P.S. As you enter the Dossin, ask where the first room you see originated.
P.S. As you enter the Dossin, ask where the first room you see originated.
Written January 4, 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.
Jdehaan1
Grand Rapids, MI616 contributions
Feb 2020
We spend about 3 hours at Bell Isle on a Friday afternoon. the Aquarium and Dossin Great Lakes Museum are only open Friday - Sunday and are well worth the visit. the Conservatory is open every day, much nicer than Meijer Gardens in my opionion, but it does have 100 years more growth.
Written February 25, 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.
HiggyJay
Scotland, UK61 contributions
Aug 2019
The island is a great drive/walk combination but do not miss the museum with the ship front builkt on. Excellent guide who gave a good history of the Detroit river and around whilst going over teh detail of teh bridge, shipping and history. A lot of good exhibitions and out side the to be mounted plaques naming those in the team bringing up the anchor from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in a Lake Superior. Also walk to the Marble Lighthouse on the North East side of the island. Wish I had more time for the Aquarium and Conservatory. I would suggest a full day if you can.
Written January 15, 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.
CapeCodTravler
Brewster, MA285 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Visiting in January we decided to do a quick tour around. The island looks to have quite a bit to do and must really come alive in the Spring. There is certainly a need for some upkeep and love but Detroit seems to be strapped for funds. I hope the ongoing work is completed by spring to show off this beautiful location. I did find it unsettling that the community yacht club looked so beat up while The private yacht club was a bit better maintained. With all the yacht clubs and money up the shore, you would think they would all chip in to assist the community sailing for city kids on the island. Noticed folks fishing the river, even in January.
Written January 6, 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.
Tansy2015
Michigan408 contributions
Feb 2020
A wonderful job the DNR has done revamping this gem. The aquarium has had all its ceiling tile cleaned and it is beautiful. The Conservatory is fabulous with all the tropical and desert plants (leave a donation!), and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum is just the same as it was 20 years ago. You get to go inside a real pilot house and listen to the captain of passing freighters speaking on their radios. The dosents are happy to help explain anything that your interested in. Al FREE!
Written February 22, 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.
Michelle M
Detroit, MI25 contributions
Feb 2020
As long as you have your state rec pass on the plate, admission is free, donations are accepted which help with caring of the aquarium and all the plants. Our visit wasn't very long, but the place was packed, I can see why. It is great for photos
Written March 1, 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.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI1,087 contributions
Oct 2020
Lifelong Detroiter with many visits to Belle Isle through the years. Many family memories. Still make it to the island numerous times each year. During these COVID times, it has been a terrific place to walk and bike. Most of the buildings are closed, but you can walk through the Conservatory gardens (limited hours), visit the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, walk and bike all the way around the island, check out the architecture of the buildings (thank you, Albert Kahn and others) and other structures, walk out to the Lighthouse and the adjacent island, sit and relax and enjoy the view of downtown Detroit and the Detroit River, go fishing, wander about and take photos of the natural beauty, the historical monuments, the architecture, or your family, and more. Certainly the island can always be better maintained, but the improvement since it became a Michigan State Park is visible. Looking forward to the Conservatory, Aquarium, and Nature Center to being open again. A great place for your family gathering or for showing out-of-town visitors too!!
Written October 30, 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.
bcsystems
Ann Arbor, MI5,144 contributions
Aug 2020
This park has so much potential unfortunately, only the two main attractions, the aquarium and conservatory has been maintained. There's definitely plenty of space for picnic, swimming. biking, walking, etc but it just lacks the attractions you see at other great city parks in Chicago, NYC, Boston, etc.
Written August 24, 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.
Deborah M
Akron, OH86 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We drove over from the mainland and parked (no admission fee Mon 7/18). We then hopped on our bikes and enjoyed riding the one-way loop around the island. The buildings were all closed (guessing bc it was a Monday) but we enjoyed stopping to see the koi pond outside the conservatory and the sculpture at the end with the lighthouse. By following the contour of the island, you see water nearly the entire time, which I loved.
We then spent a little time putting our feet in the water at the public beach-- nice sandy expanse along the shimmering Detroit River.
Tons of parking, picnic areas, sports fields to accommodate anything you want to do. Great recreation spot!
We then spent a little time putting our feet in the water at the public beach-- nice sandy expanse along the shimmering Detroit River.
Tons of parking, picnic areas, sports fields to accommodate anything you want to do. Great recreation spot!
Written July 19, 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.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA2,152 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Belle Isle could be a nice place, but in its current state, it isn’t. It’s a large park several miles long with views of the city, a beach, a museum, a small aquarium and a conservancy. Every surface, building and sign is dilapidated - rusting, crumbling, faded, paint peeling, cracked and in need of repair in every possible way. And those are the sites that are open. Several others were closed and fenced off. The ornate fountain was off. There’s no attempt at landscaping even though entrance fees are collected. The park is mostly used for large picnics and relaxing by the shore in an urban oasis. There were a lot of people enjoying the Park, but I couldn’t get past how lacking in upkeep it was.
Written September 2, 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.
No. In fact, the only swimming is at the beach. No inland splashpads for humans or pets.
Written September 2, 2021
Valerie B
Detroit, Michigan
Thinking of having a picnic with my guy. How much is it to enter and park at belle isle? I'm a Michigan resident.
Written May 26, 2021
A Michigan State Park daily pass is $5. If you've purchased the Annual Passport for $11 when you renewed your license plate, then you're all set! That said, I'm not sure if the entrance booth is open and taking the daily fee as it's been closed every time I've been to Belle Isle during COVID.
Written May 26, 2021
Micki S
Clinton Township, Michigan
Does the park let visitors in FREE before Memorial Day?
Do they have one day a week for a FREE day?
Written March 14, 2021
Belle Isle is a Michigan State Park that operates year round. Admission is via annual pass (that you can buy for $12 when you renew your car registration) or you can buy a daypass for $9 to get in. No free days. That said, sometimes the booth is not manned, drivers without a pass who come in run the risk of the police seeing that there is no pass on the car's tag or on the windshield and giving them a ticket. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website for more info on Belle Isle.
Written March 14, 2021
Currently, Belle Isle doesn't have a soccer field. The DNR has contracted a private firm to do a major overhaul of all of the islands athletic resources to provide state-of-the-art fields, equipment, etc.
Written September 1, 2019
I have never been before. Do they have regular flush toilet bathrooms or just port-a-potties? Thanks!
Written August 9, 2019
They have both. There is a good amount of renovation going on, so a few of the bathrooms are closed. Your best bet for full bathroom is near the aquarium.
Written August 11, 2019
Can you walk to Belle Isle from the Riverfront? I’m going to be going to the DNR and Riverfront wondering if i can do it all without moving my vehicle.
Written July 18, 2019
Not really, unless you can walk several miles out and then back. I stayed at RenCen and took a taxi to the aquarium and a Lyft back. Had a great time!
Written July 19, 2019
I doubt it. I am sorry to say.
Written August 3, 2019
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