Belle Isle Park
Event Information
More Information
1) The Belle Isle casino is closed through mid-2025. 2) Shelters 2, 8 and 19 are closed through a portion of the 2026 season for planned upgrades. 3) The James Scott Memorial Fountain is closed through a portion of 2026 for the complete reconstruction of the lower bowl. 4) The island will close June 23, 2025 until 2 p.m. for the 2025 Ford Fireworks.
Belle Isle Park, a 985-acre island park located in the Detroit River near downtown Detroit, provides spectacular views of Detroit to the North and Canada to the south. It's home to the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Ralph Wilson Gateway (which serves as the official southern trailhead for Michigan's Iron Belle Trail), a golf course and many more cultural and natural attractions. Visitors can also swim at the designated swim beach, ride bicycles, fish, paddle and more.
In addition to modern restrooms, Parkway Services, Inc. provides portable toilet services (portable toilets, luxury restroom trailers and handwashing stations) throughout the island.
The DNR is reviewing options for the deteriorated Belle Isle Boathouse.
The park is located other nearby attractions, including the Outdoor Adventure Center, William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor and the Detroit Riverwalk. You also don't want to miss the Dequindre Cut Greenway (an urban recreational path ) and downtown Detroit.
Thanks to the Belle Isle Conservancy for supporting the park.
DDOT bus service to Belle Isle
DDOT offers bus service to the island via the #12 Conant route. A Recreation Passport is not required. Service runs approximately every 60 minutes 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Sunday.
Restrooms
Seasonal restrooms and portable toilets (including accessible stalls) are available throughout the island. Two heated restrooms - Bus Stop, Casino (currently closed for upgrades) and Flynn - remain open year-round. *Bus Stop 7 in the aquarium parking lot and Sunset Point offer accessible parking, sidewalks and ramps.
Popular park attractions (no additional fees unless noted)
- James Scott Memorial Fountain 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., closes Labor Day (or later). The fountain will temporarily close in 2025 due to the complete reconstruction of the lower bowl. The closure is anticipated to extend through 2026.
- Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory reopened its doors after a multi-million-dollar renovation project. Now open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
- Giant slide open open Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather dependent). Fridays 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- StEats of Belle Isle, featuring food trucks, can be found seasonally) around the island, including a location at Kids Row (near the giant slide).
- Simple Adventures offers bicycle, MoGo bicycle, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals at the Flynn Pavilion.
- Oudolf Garden Detroit open during park hours, No admission fee.
- Designated swimming beach open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Belle Isle Aquarium open Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Dossin Great Lakes Museum open Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 adults/kids, $20 for a household, FREE for Detroit Historical Society members and children under 6 years old.
- Detroit Zoological Society's Belle Isle Nature Center open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas).
- Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse, the oldest marble lighthouse in the country, is located on the Detroit River on the north end of the island. It's a working lighthouse; however, there are no public tours.
- Belle Isle Golf open Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fees vary.
- Athletic Fields offer softball, football, basketball, handball, racquetball and tennis programs. Fees vary.
Shelter and facility reservations
- Flynn Pavilion available by reservation only.
- Belle Isle Casino available by reservation only. The building is currently being renovated; slated to reopen spring 2025.
- Shelter reservations can be made up to one year in advance. Visit MiDNRReservations.com ($8 online reservation fee) or call 1-800-44-PARKS ($10 call center reservation fee). View shelter prices. Shelters 2 and 8 closed for renovations during the 2025 season.
Commercial use
Visit the DNR's website to find applications, price structure, agreements for one-day vendors, photography, rentals and more.
About the Area
The park is conveniently located near the Outdoor Adventure Center, William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor and the Detroit Riverwalk.
You also don't want to miss the Dequindre Cut Greenway (2-mile urban recreational path) and downtown Detroit.
Activities (Display as List)
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Simple Adventures offers bicycle and MoGo bicycle rentals. Hours are weather-dependent.
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Simple Adventures offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, available at the designated swim beach Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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Facilities (Display as List)
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There are 15 picnic shelters throughout the island that include picnic tables and charcoal grills (#2 and #8 have electrical service and restrooms connected to the shelter). Shelter reservations can be made 12 months in advance at MiDNRReservations.com.
View location, capacity, fee and other amenity info for each shelter
For special events (activities with 200-plus people), contact the events office at 313-821-9851 or DNR-BelleIsleParkEvents@Michigan.gov.
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