When snow falls in Michigan, out come the recreational wintertime vehicles and gear! For some, that means revving up snowmobiles while others strap on downhill or cross-country skis, don snowshoes or snowboards, or grab ice-fishing poles. Perhaps the most timeless and universally-enjoyed winter tradition, however, is speeding down a snow-covered hill on a toboggan or sled.
Here are ten of the Flint area’s best sledding hills:
Toboggan Hill
Washburn Rd. North of Carpenter Rd. near Genesee County/Lapeer County Line
To get there, take M-15 north to Richfield Road, then east to Washburn Road. Follow Washburn Road north until it ends in the hill’s parking lot.
Genesee County’s hills offer different levels of sledding and Toboggan Hill is considered experts-only.
That’s no joke! In fact, anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult to take on the area’s most challenging sledding venue which is surrounded by woods in a picturesque winter setting.
“The view from the top is extraordinary, the ride down the hill is thrilling, and the climb back up to the top is not for the faint of heart,” says Genesee County Parks Director Amy McMillan. “Sledders should take Toboggan Hills’ advanced rating seriously.”
Toboggan Hill is open only when the gate to the parking lot is open on Thursday-Friday from 5-10pm and Noon-10pm on Saturday, Sunday, school snow days or holidays.
Visitors are reminded that parking is allowed only in the designated lot, not along Washburn Road. (Ranger may ticket illegally park vehicles.)
“Toboggan Hill is legendary for its beautiful setting, super-steep, fast hill, and the big bonfire we keep burning when the hill is open for sledding,” McMillan says. “It is absolutely worth the drive out to Washburn Road.”
Sledding is permitted only when the ground is frozen and there are at least three inches of snow on the ground. For regularly-updated sledding conditions, check genesseecountyparks.org or Genesee County Park’s Facebook page.
Davison Roadside
County Park
6160 Davison Rd. at N. Belsay Rd., Burton
Perhaps the area’s best sledding hills for beginners or those with small children, Davison Roadside County Park is an ideal place for a family winter outing.
Parking is available close to the hill and there is a pavilion with picnic tables.
“The hill at Davison Roadside County Park is ideal for little kids, because the slope is not especially steep or long,” McMillan says. “It’s not a very fast hill and it’s also pretty easy to walk back up, sled down, walk back up, and repeat even when bundled up in all kinds of layers.”
Sledding is permitted only when the ground is frozen and there is at least three inches of snow on the ground. For regularly-updated sledding conditions, check genesseecountyparks.org or Genesee County Park’s Facebook page.
Linden County Park
15349 S. Linden Rd., Linden
This hill near the west side of Clover Beach is rated intermediate and located in an ideal winter setting off Byram Lake.
“The sledding hill at Linden County Park is reasonably fast and steep enough to give you a little workout climbing back up to sled down again,” McMillan says. “The park is as beautiful during the winter as it is during warmer weather. It’s a super popular spot for sledding.”
The hill is open for sledding on Thursday-Friday from 5-10pm and Noon-10pm on Saturday, Sunday, school snow days or holidays.
Visitors are reminded to park only in designated parking areas to avoid being ticketed. There is plenty of parking available at the park on the beach side and across the road in the other side of the park.
Sledding is permitted only when the ground is frozen and there is at least three inches of snow on the ground. For regularly-updated sledding conditions, check genesseecountyparks.org or Genesee County Park’s Facebook page.
Creasey Bicentennial Park
1505 E. Grand Blanc Rd., Grand Blanc
Another perfect place for a family sledding outing, Creasey Bicentennial Park, open from 10am-10pm daily, usually draws sledding enthusiasts from many surrounding communities.
There is no entry fee Monday-Thursday, but a $2 fee per person is collected on Friday-Sunday. A warming hut is available when an attendant is on duty.
The park also offers space for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, as well as an ice rink.
For more info, visit gbparks.org.
Barber Memorial Park
11410 Seymour Rd., Montrose Township
The hill at this 27-acre park has restroom facilities and lights for night-sledding. It also offers a great view of the Flint River.
“We took the kids sledding at Barber Memorial Park and there is a great intermediate hill,” Clio-based RE/MAX real estate agent, Jeremy Toljonick, posted on the company’s website. “It’s perfect for younger kids, and mom and dad, too. We had a blast.”
For more info, visit montrosetownship.org.
Clio Library
2080 W. Vienna Rd., Clio
Located behind a schoolhouse-turned-library, this hill has a gentle slope that is ideal for novice sledders.
Clio Sledding Hill
4014 E. Vienna Rd., Clio
Genesee County’s newest sledding hill is now open at Thetford Township Hall.
For more info, visit clio.govoffice.com.
St. John School
514 Lincoln St., Fenton
The hill is located behind St. John School and has long been one of the Fenton-area’s most popular sledding destinations.
Flint Southwestern Academy High School
1420 W. 12th St., Flint
A Flint landmark when it comes to sledding areas, the steep slope next to Southwestern Academy offers a thrilling ride.
Unlike most hills, there are stairs along this one to ease the climb back to top. Some years, tires are also placed to help those heading back up.
Kelly Lake Park
Lapeer Rd., West of Genesee, Burton
A nice place for family sledding, the park also features ice hockey once its pond freezes over.
For more info, visit burtonmi.org.
Other sledding possibilities include:
Elms Rd. Park (4150 Elms Rd., Swartz Creek), Bush Park (250 N. Leroy St., Fenton), Coyote Preserve Golf Course (9218 Preserve Rd., Fenton) and Sorensen Park (5142 E. Holly Rd., Holly).
Photography by Eric Dutro
