The 9 Best Parks in Ann Arbor, MI

Last updated September 24, 2026 · ranked from 5,670 Google reviews · How we rank

The parks in this Ann Arbor, MI guide all sit within city limits, with Google ratings ranging from 4.6 to 4.8 stars. Argo Nature Area takes the top spot with a 4.8-star rating from 1,112 reviews, followed by County Farm Park, which has the same rating from 1,194 reviews. Bird Hills Nature Area, Furstenberg Nature Area and Barton Nature Area each hold 4.7 stars, as do Leslie Science & Nature Center and Burns Park. Buhr Park and Island Park round out the list with 4.6 stars each. These ratings and review counts provide a starting point for comparing the listed parks in Ann Arbor, MI.

Top picks at a glance

1
Argo Nature AreaArgo Nature Area offers river access, boat rentals, hiking and biking trails, picnic tables, and free parking.
2
County Farm ParkCounty Farm Park has wooded areas, fitness trails, gardens, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions with barbecue grills.
3
Bird Hills Nature AreaBird Hills Nature Area spans 161 acres, with hilly woodland hiking trails, unpaved routes, and free parking.

1
Argo Nature Area
4.8(1,112)· Google4.8 out of 5 from 1112 reviews (Google rating)
Park · Lower Town / Broadway
Open now · closes 10:00 PM
River access and trails give Argo Nature Area its first-place appeal among parks in Ann Arbor, MI. Visitors can rent canoes, kayaks or paddleboats, use the boat launch, or explore biking and hiking trails, including kid-friendly hikes. Picnic tables, public restrooms and free lot and street parking support a longer visit, while dogs are welcome too. Its Google rating of 4.8 from 1,112 reviews adds strong visitor support to a park with several ways to spend time outdoors.
- Riverfront boat rentals
- Biking and hiking
- Free parking
“What are the better kayak trips I've ever been on the river was pretty low this year”
— Matt Funch, 2026-08-16 · google
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2
County Farm Park
4.8(1,194)· Google4.8 out of 5 from 1194 reviews (Google rating)
Park · Washtenaw Avenue / Arborland
Open now · closes 9:00 PM
Wooded areas, fitness trails, gardens, and playgrounds give County Farm Park its second-place appeal among parks in Ann Arbor, MI. Kid-friendly hikes and playground slides and swings offer options for families, while picnic pavilions, tables, and barbecue grills support outdoor gatherings. A reviewer praises the quiet surroundings and well-maintained paths for evening walks. Public restrooms, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking, and daily hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. add practical value, alongside a 4.8 Google rating from 1,194 reviews.
- Wooded fitness trails
- Kid-friendly hikes
- Picnic pavilions
“Very pleasant place for an evening walk in very quiet surroundings. The paths are all very well-maintained.”
— Matthew Doering, 2026-08-17 · google
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3
Bird Hills Nature Area
4.7(578)· Google4.7 out of 5 from 578 reviews (Google rating)
Park · Lower Town / Broadway
Open now · closes 10:00 PM
Hilly woodland trails across 161 acres earn Bird Hills Nature Area the No. 3 spot among parks in Ann Arbor, MI. The city’s largest park centers on hiking along unpaved routes, with reviewers also noting trail running and well-preserved surroundings. Dogs and children are welcome, and kid-friendly hikes and free parking make it a practical choice for a family outing. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., it holds a 4.7 Google rating from 578 reviews.
- 161 wooded acres
- Unpaved hiking trails
- Free parking lot
“Seems to be a well preserved nature area with walking trails.”
— Brendan, 2026-08-24 · google
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4
Furstenberg Nature Area
4.7(532)· Google4.7 out of 5 from 532 reviews (Google rating)
Nature preserve · Washtenaw Avenue / Arborland
Open now · closes 10:00 PM
Wetlands, woodlands, and a boardwalk give Furstenberg Nature Area its appeal among parks in Ann Arbor, MI. Its 38 acres earn the No. 4 spot for combining walking paths and kid-friendly hikes with picnic tables and practical amenities, including a public restroom and wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking. Dogs are welcome, too. Reviewers highlight early-morning walks, wooded trails, and river views, while daily hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. leave room for both a morning outing and an evening walk.
- Wetlands and woodlands
- Boardwalk and paths
- Kid-friendly hikes
“Nice place for an afternoon walk by a small river.”
— James Lott, 2026-08-18 · google
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5
Barton Nature Area
4.7(621)· Google4.7 out of 5 from 621 reviews (Google rating)
Park · Lower Town / Broadway
Open now · closes 10:00 PM
Meadow, forest, and marsh give Barton Nature Area a varied landscape for hiking and picnicking in Ann Arbor, MI. That mix of habitats, paired with practical amenities, earns this river park the No. 5 spot. Free parking and picnic tables support a straightforward outing, while kid-friendly hikes and a dog-welcoming policy make it an option for families and dog owners. A reviewer highlights water views, running, and birding, and its 4.7 Google rating from 621 reviews adds support for its standing.
- Varied habitat trails
- Free parking lot
- Kid-friendly hikes
“UPDATE 8-18-26 Awesome place for running, views, hiking 😁....a big park with water views, running, walking, Fishing, and Birders. New area after the bridge and a tunnel with beautiful lighting 💗”
— Shane Daniel, 2026-08-18 · google
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7
Leslie Science & Nature Center
4.7(345)· Google4.7 out of 5 from 345 reviews (Google rating)
Nature preserve · North Campus / Plymouth Road
Open now · closes 8:00 PM
Trails and raptor enclosures give Leslie Science & Nature Center its distinct appeal among parks in Ann Arbor, MI, earning it the No. 7 spot. Kid-friendly hikes, a Critter House and public programs for all ages combine outdoor time with opportunities to see animals. One reviewer singled out the close-up bird viewing and natural playground with water features as favorites with their children. Picnic tables, public restrooms and free parking make it practical to pair a walk with a picnic or playground visit.
- Kid-friendly hikes
- Raptor enclosures
- Natural playground
“Our kids liked seeing the birds up close and the natural playground with water features was a big hit.”
— Scott Wozniak, 2026-08-14 · google
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8
Burns Park
4.7(173)· Google4.7 out of 5 from 173 reviews (Google rating)
Park · Burns Park / Packard
Sports, play, and picnic facilities earn Burns Park the No. 8 spot. At 1300 Baldwin Ave in Ann Arbor, MI, the park brings together a baseball field, basketball court, and tennis courts, plus a playground with slides and swings. Picnic tables and a barbecue grill support outdoor meals, while a public restroom adds convenience for longer visits. Dogs are welcome, and wheelchair-accessible parking and an accessible entrance are available. Its Google rating is 4.7 from 173 reviews.
- Courts and baseball
- Slides and swings
- Picnic tables available
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9
Buhr Park
4.6(364)· Google4.6 out of 5 from 364 reviews (Google rating)
Park · Briarwood / South State
Open now · closes 8:00 PM
An open-air ice arena, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts give Buhr Park its year-round recreation mix, earning it rank 9 among parks in Ann Arbor, MI. At 2751 Packard St, visitors can also hike, use grill-equipped picnic spaces, or take children to the slides and swings. One reviewer notes plenty of shade, a useful detail for a picnic visit. Public restrooms, free parking, and wheelchair-accessible parking and an entrance round out the practical amenities.
- Open-air ice arena
- Grill-equipped picnic spaces
- Slides and swings
“Lots of shaded areas. The toddler pool area was great. The little pool toys that were floating around kept my 5 year old occupied for a very long time. Bigger pool is also close by, making it easy to keep an eye on all the kids. They do …”
— Seena Salleh, 2026-06-12 · google
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10
Island Park
4.6(751)· Google4.6 out of 5 from 751 reviews (Google rating)
Park · Lower Town / Broadway
Open now · closes 10:00 PM
Riverside walks and space for outdoor meals earn Island Park the No. 10 spot in Ann Arbor, MI. At 1420 Island Dr, picnic tables and barbecue grills make it useful for gatherings, while walking paths, kid-friendly hikes, and a playground with slides and swings offer activities beyond lunch. Free parking, public restrooms, and wheelchair-accessible facilities add practical value. One reviewer praises walking along the river and the park’s gathering potential, though both supplied reviews flag litter, and one notes poison ivy along the riverbank.
- Riverside walking paths
- Picnic tables and grills
- Slides and swings
“Park is incredible, people need to do a better job with cleaning up.”
— R B, 2026-08-21 · google
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Map of every pick

Compare at a glance

Comparison of the best Parks in Ann Arbor, MI
#	Place	Google rating	Price	Google reviews	Neighborhood	Phone	Open now
1	Argo Nature Area	4.8(1,112)4.8 out of 5 from 1112 reviews (Google rating)	—	1,112	Lower Town / Broadway	+1734-794-6110	Open
2	County Farm Park	4.8(1,194)4.8 out of 5 from 1194 reviews (Google rating)	—	1,194	Washtenaw Avenue / Arborland	+1734-971-6337	Open
3	Bird Hills Nature Area	4.7(578)4.7 out of 5 from 578 reviews (Google rating)	—	578	Lower Town / Broadway	+1734-794-6230	Open
4	Furstenberg Nature Area	4.7(532)4.7 out of 5 from 532 reviews (Google rating)	—	532	Washtenaw Avenue / Arborland	+1734-794-6230	Open
5	Barton Nature Area	4.7(621)4.7 out of 5 from 621 reviews (Google rating)	—	621	Lower Town / Broadway	+1734-794-6230	Open
7	Leslie Science & Nature Center	4.7(345)4.7 out of 5 from 345 reviews (Google rating)	—	345	North Campus / Plymouth Road	+1734-997-1553	Open
8	Burns Park	4.7(173)4.7 out of 5 from 173 reviews (Google rating)	—	173	Burns Park / Packard	+1734-794-6230	—
9	Buhr Park	4.6(364)4.6 out of 5 from 364 reviews (Google rating)	—	364	Briarwood / South State	+1734-794-6234	Open
10	Island Park	4.6(751)4.6 out of 5 from 751 reviews (Google rating)	—	751	Lower Town / Broadway	+1734-794-6000	Open

Ratings and review counts shown are Google ratings, displayed with attribution.

How we ranked this list

Each park is scored on a Bayesian-weighted rating (its rating adjusted for how many reviews it has compared with the Ann Arbor category average), how recently we verified its details, and how complete its listing is. Scores and ranks are stored, so the order only changes when the underlying data changes.

Read the full methodology

Parks in Ann Arbor, MI: common questions

Which parks in Ann Arbor, MI have playgrounds and picnic facilities?: Gallup Park, County Farm Park, Lillie Park South and Island Park all have playground slides and swings, picnic tables, barbecue grills and public restrooms. Fuller Park also has a playground, picnic tables and public restrooms, along with sports fields and a pool.
Where can I go canoeing or kayaking in Ann Arbor, MI?: Argo Nature Area on Long Shr Dr has canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals plus a boat launch. Gallup Park at 3000 Fuller Rd has canoeing and kayaking areas. Bandemer Nature Area at 1352 Lake Shore Dr also offers canoeing, alongside riverfront trails and picnic facilities.
Which parks in Ann Arbor, MI are open for early-morning or evening walks?: Gallup Park, Island Park, Bandemer Nature Area, Furstenberg Nature Area, Fuller Park and West Park are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Argo Nature Area and Bird Hills Nature Area open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. County Farm Park runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., while Lillie Park South runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Which parks in Ann Arbor, MI have wheelchair-accessible facilities?: Gallup Park and Island Park have wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking, restrooms and seating. Lillie Park South has accessible entrances, parking and restrooms. County Farm Park, Argo Nature Area, Parker Mill County Park and Furstenberg Nature Area have accessible entrances and parking. Bird Hills Nature Area does not have a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
Which parks in Ann Arbor, MI welcome dogs and have free parking?: All 12 parks in this guide welcome dogs and have free parking lots. Gallup Park, County Farm Park, Argo Nature Area, Island Park, Bandemer Nature Area and West Park also have free street parking. Gallup, County Farm, Lillie Park South, Furstenberg and Fuller additionally list paid parking lots.