🌤 Weather at Seven Lakes State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24–68 °F | 55–80 °F | 30–72 °F | 15–34 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Linden Wwtp, 7 mi away, elevation 863 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Seven Lakes State Park is a public state park in Michigan near Fenton in Oakland County. Spanning 1,434 acres and established in 1971, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Michigan |
| Nearest City | Fenton |
| County | Oakland |
| Park Size | 1,434 acres |
| Established | 1971 |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.5/5 (900 reviews) |
| Accessibility | Offers accessible Swimming. Accessible The beach house – located in the day-use area on Big Seven Lake – includes modern restrooms. available. Accessible There are accessible boating access sites on Big Seven and Dickinson lakes. No-wake rules are in place. available. Accessible An accessible fishing pier is located on Dickinson Lake. available. Accessible There are picnic shelters located in the day-use area that include picnic tables, charcoal grills, electrical service (Big Seven Lake day-use area only) and vault toilets. All of the shelters (other than Dickinson Lake day-use area) are accessible. Shelter reservations can be made in advance at MiDNRReservations.com. available. |
Location & Getting There
Seven Lakes State Park is located near Fenton, Michigan. The park’s coordinates are 42.8125, -83.6639.
Things to Do
Seven Lakes packs six inland lakes — Big Seven, Dickinson, Little Seven, Spring, Mud and Sand — with more than 230 acres of water into 1,434 acres of Oakland County hills. The name is no miscount: in 1967 a development company dammed a chain of seven smaller lakes into what is now Big Seven Lake, and Michigan bought the land before the subdivision ever got built, opening the park in 1977.
Beach and Water
The main swimming beach sits on Big Seven Lake in the day-use area, with a buoyed swim zone, a beach house with changing rooms, a food concession and a playground; campers get a second, quieter beach on Sand Lake. All six lakes are slow/no-wake, which keeps the water calm for kayaks and fishing boats — accessible launches are on Big Seven and Dickinson, plus an accessible fishing pier on Dickinson. The fishing is better than a small park suggests: the DNR has stocked walleye into Big Seven for more than 40 years, alongside largemouth bass, northern pike, tiger muskie and panfish.
Trails and Hunting
About 6.2 miles of trails loop through the park — the Green Loop (2.1 miles) and Red Loop (1.8 miles) are open to mountain bikes, while the Nature Trail and Dickinson Trail stay foot-only. In fall, note that hunting is allowed throughout the park outside posted safety zones; call the park office (248-634-7271) before an autumn hike if that matters for your plans.
Best Time to Visit
The modern campground typically runs May 1 through October 31 — check exact dates at midnrreservations.com. On hot summer weekends the Big Seven Lake beach regularly fills to capacity, so arrive in the morning; note also that alcohol is banned in the day-use areas from April 1 through Labor Day. Winter doesn’t close the park: the trails are open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (ungroomed), and ice anglers work the lakes when the ice is safe.
Visitor Tips
From Detroit, plan on roughly 55 miles and about an hour: I-75 North to Exit 101, then west on Grange Hall Road for 3 miles and north on Fish Lake Road — the entrance is on the left inside half a mile. Flint is closer still, about 15 miles.
There are no “tickets” — entry works through the Michigan Recreation Passport. Michigan residents pay $15 per year, cheapest when added at license-plate renewal (a $5 fee applies for the windshield sticker otherwise); out-of-state visitors pay $12 per day or $42 per year — as of August 2026. The 70-site campground on Sand Lake (30/50-amp electric, showers, ADA sites) books up to 6 months ahead at midnrreservations.com or 800-447-2757.
Fees, directions and facility details verified against michigan.gov/dnr on August 28, 2026. Fees change — confirm before you travel.
Explore More Michigan State Parks
Seven Lakes State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Michigan. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Michigan guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Seven Lakes SP — 1,434 acres in Oakland/Genesee County — has a spring-fed swimming lake (Big Seven Lake). The park’s hardwood forest, wetlands, and lakes support white-tailed deer, red foxes, and wild turkeys. Great blue herons nest in a rookery. Bald eagles fish the lakes. Painted turtles bask on every log.
Nearby Attractions
Holly — adjacent. Holly SRA — adjacent. Fenton — 10 miles north. Flint — 20 miles northeast. Detroit — 50 miles southeast.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Holly Oaks ORV Park (a short drive away) or Holly State Recreation Area (a short drive away).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Seven Lakes State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in Michigan state parks, campgrounds, harbors and state-designated trails, except designated swim beaches and other posted areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under the owner's immediate control.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in buoyed swim areas but allowed along the shoreline outside them (on a 6-ft leash, even in the water); 50+ parks have pet-friendly shoreline or designated dog beaches.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Up to two pets (cats and dogs only) allowed at ~12 parks' designated pet-friendly cabins, yurts and lodges; $10 per night per pet (cabins) or $15 (lodges); otherwise pets barred from overnight lodging.
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; pet-friendly lodging costs $10/night per pet (cabins) or $15/night per pet (lodges).
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Leash laws do not apply to dogs used for hunting on land open to such use; pets may not be left unattended.
Are dogs allowed at Seven Lakes State Park?
Pets are welcome in Michigan state parks, campgrounds, harbors and state-designated trails, except designated swim beaches and other posted areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via michigan.gov. More: Michigan state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Seven Lakes State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
