Detroit Outdoors

To give meaningful access to nature to all Detroit youth and families.

Detroit Parks and Recreation Department strives to improve the quality of life for all Detroiters through parks, greenways, recreation centers, and programs. Their upmost goals are to improve public health, protect and connect residents to nature & the environment, all while increasing connectivity to parks and recreational opportunities.

In 2018, Detroit Outdoors reactivated the Scout Hollow campground in Detroit’s Rouge Park. This space, currently the only campground in the city, had been idle for over a decade. Spanning 17 acres of thick woods with 5 acres of grassy meadows nestled inside, Scout Hollow provides a camping experience for local youth that is close to home, while still feeling immersed in a natural space. Detroit Outdoors was able to introduce youth to activities outside of camping like canoeing and kayaking. From there, we have continued to explore and provide opportunities for youth to engage in other outdoor adventures such as skiing and snowboarding, ice climbing, rock climbing, and mountain biking.