Skate, sled, snowshoe, and more: Embrace winter in Mt. Pleasant

Below-zero temperatures won’t last forever. Now’s the time to create your outdoor winter activities bucket list for days the wind chill doesn’t demand you stay indoors. 

Mt. Pleasant has an abundance of outdoor recreation activities available. Thanks to the Isabella County Parks & Recreation and the City of Mt. Pleasant, here are a few to keep in mind.

Photo credit Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant. The Island Park Ice Rink is open for the 2025 winter season in Mt. Pleasant.
Outdoor Ice Skating at Island Park in Mt. Pleasant

The City of Mount Pleasant has opened the Island Park Ice Rink for the 2025 winter season. The rink is open daily, weather permitting, and is 54 feet by 95 feet wide. Located on the southern-most softball field (Field #1) at Island Park, skaters and bystanders alike are welcome to enter the rink when the “Rink Open” sign is posted. The City’s rules request skaters under the age of 5 to be under adult supervision while in the skating area as the ice rink does not have designated supervisors.

Photo courtesy of Emma Vanacker.The sledding hill at Deerfield Park, part of Isabella County Parks & Recreation.
Deerfield Nature Parks’s Sleeding Hill, Trails, & Disc Golf Course

“Deerfield offers many diverse options for outdoor recreation year-round, and winter is no exception,” shares Alexis Hansen, director of Parks & Recreation of Isabella County. “When conditions are right, and Deerfield is in its snow-covered glory, it becomes an inviting winter wonderland. It’s a place you can always count on to lift your mood and get the dose of fresh air you need.

Deerfield Nature Park is the County’s largest park, and is home to a giant sledding hill and hiking trails which are open year round. When there’s enough snow to groom the trails, cross country skiing here is also a great option. However, don't let minimal snow stop you from enjoying the park as the Deerfield trails are still open to be used by all—from hiking to fat tire biking to snowshoeing—plus, there may still be existing tracks made by other skiers as well. Check out trail conditions at isabellacounty.org/parks or on their Facebook page. 

For those that are up for a more-intense adventure, rustic camping is available year-round at Deerfield Nature Park. This tent-only rustic camping experience is with hand-pump water spigots, vault toilets, and the sites require campers to hike in with equipment. Make reservations at https://isabellacounty.goingtocamp.com.

Another fun outdoor winter activity in Mt. Pleasant is disc golf at Deerfield Nature Park. In fact, when you enter the park and turn left immediately after the gate house, you can see part of the course which travels around the east side of the park’s trail system. For those interested in joining a league or learning more about glow disc golf, check out the local league.

Photo courtesy Craig Clingan.Winter disc golf at Isabella County’s Deerfield Park.
Ice Fishing at Herrick Recreation Area

“The park is actually closed seasonally, but because the ponds there, which are remediated gravel pits, have a significantly lower volume of water than many local lakes, it is a popular spot to find publicly available ice throughout the winter when lakes aren’t quite frozen solid,” says Hansen. 

The Herrick Recreation Area, while the north day-use area is closed for the season, can still be accessed via a pedestrian entrance by the gate for fishing or playground use (note the beach bathrooms are closed). 

Also keep in mind that fishing licenses are required by the DNR for ice fishing. 

Photo credit Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant.Meridian Parks’s serene trails with river views allow for winter hiking and snowshoeing in Mt. Pleasant.
Hiking and Snowshoeing at Meridian County Park
 
Nestled along the Chippewa River, Meridian County Park is a 153-acre park with more than one mile of river flowing throughout it. 

“The quiet landscape of Meridian Park is amplified by the hush that comes with a fresh layer of snow,” says Hansen. “There is no better spot for a peaceful, quiet walk along the river.”

An Isabella County Parks Vehicle Entrance Permit is required for entry and those are available for purchase only at Deerfield in the current off-season.

Photo credit Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. Pleasant.To get to Meridian Park, follow M-20 west of Mt. Pleasant to Meridian Road. Turn south after one mile. The park is located on the east side of Meridian Road.
Fat Tire Biking, Walking, and Snowshoeing on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail

The over eight-mile-long Pere Marquette Rail-Trail is a paved trail which connects to the Midland and Clare County Rail-Trails, offering nearly 30 miles of accessible trails. The traffic-free, handicap accessible park is known by participants of all ages thanks to its numerous parking areas, restrooms, and other facilities along its route.

“Isabella County does not plow or groom the rail trail in the winter months, so proceed with caution,” shares Hansen. “If you are looking for a corridor for biking, walking, or snowshoeing with minimal fuss, there are plenty of locations to hop on the rail trail and get out for any distance you desire.”

Motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, are not allowed on the rail trail.
 
“There is no reason to be trapped indoors with cabin fever all winter,” says Hansen. “With the proper clothes and equipment, and a short drive to one of your county parks, you can stay active all winter long.”