Oakland Township, MI Parks, Trails & Horseback Riding Guide

Oakland Township, Michigan has a large network of public parks and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The township's trail guide counts more than 1,500 acres of parkland, horses are allowed at Charles Ilsley Park and Cranberry Lake Park, and 5.3 miles of the Paint Creek Trail run through the township. For buyers shopping for acreage or an equestrian home, being near these trails is a big part of the appeal. 

What parks and trails are in Oakland Township, MI?

Oakland Township Parks and Recreation lists 15 township parks, including Bear Creek Nature Park, Charles Ilsley Park, Cranberry Lake Park, Draper Twin Lake Park, Gallagher Creek Park, Lost Lake Nature Park, Marsh View Park, Stony Creek Ravine Nature Park and Watershed Ridge Park. The township's May 2026 trail guide describes "over 1500 acres" of parkland with trails surfaced in limestone, pavement, natural paths and boardwalk.

The township is about 36 square miles. Its master plan and zoning aim to limit commercial and industrial development and keep density low, which is why so much of the township still has wooded and rural character. The Parks and Recreation office is at the Paint Creek Cider Mill, a site where a grist mill was first built on Paint Creek in 1835.

Where can you ride horses in Oakland Township?

According to Oakland Township Parks and Recreation, horseback riding is allowed at these locations:

• Charles Ilsley Park (1479 E. Predmore Rd.): 120 acres of rolling terrain, wetlands and farmland with mowed paths. There is parking for one horse trailer and six cars at the entrance off Predmore Road. The park also has two prairie restoration sites of 5 and 13 acres.
• Cranberry Lake Park (388 W. Predmore Rd.): 213 acres with hiking, biking and horseback riding trails and a trail connection to Addison Oaks County Park. The park includes the Axford-Coffin Farm, a historic farmstead of ten structures dating to the 1840s. The park borders the western shore of Cranberry Lake, but there is currently no lake access.
• Paint Creek Trail north of Dutton Road: the township recommends this section for riders.

Two seasonal rules are worth knowing. Equestrian use is not allowed on the limestone trails at Bear Creek Nature Park and Draper Twin Lake Park from March 1 through June 8, to protect trails and fields while soils are saturated. And across the township system, horses are permitted on designated trails only. On shared trails, cyclists yield to hikers and hikers yield to horses.

Can you ride horses on the Paint Creek Trail?

Yes. The Paint Creek Trail is an 8.9-mile rails-to-trails route with a limestone surface that runs from Rochester Municipal Park to the Village of Lake Orion. Permitted uses include horseback riding, bicycling, hiking, jogging and cross-country skiing. It is day-use only and closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The trail is owned and operated by the Paint Creek Trailways Commission, an intergovernmental agency.

Because the trail links Rochester, Oakland Township and Lake Orion, homes near it can give you a car-free route into two downtowns. If you're comparing those towns, see our Lake Orion area page alongside the Oakland Township area page.

What other horse trails are near Oakland Township?

Addison Oaks County Park (1480 W. Romeo Rd., Leonard) is an Oakland County park of 1,140 acres with a trail system of more than 20 miles, and horseback riding is listed among its activities. Because Cranberry Lake Park connects to Addison Oaks, riders on Oakland Township's north side can reach a much larger trail network. The county lists the Addison Oaks campground as closed for the 2026 season, while the day-use park stays open year-round.

What should buyers know before buying horse property in Oakland Township?

Confirm zoning before you write an offer. Whether a parcel can keep horses, and how many, depends on the township's zoning rules for that property. In neighboring Oxford Township, for example, large animals such as horses or cows require a minimum of 3 acres. Ask Oakland Township's planning and zoning office about the specific parcel, and get the answer in writing if you can.

Inspect the septic system, every time. Oakland County does not require a septic inspection when a home is sold. That makes it the buyer's realtor's job to tell you about it and arrange one. Leila Modetz, an eXp Realty realtor based in Oxford, does not advise buying a home on septic without a thorough inspection of the field and tank and a stress test.

Check the school district by address. Three public districts serve Oakland Township: Rochester Community Schools, Lake Orion Community Schools and Romeo Community Schools. District lines don't follow the township boundary, so verify the district for each specific address.

Think about trail access, not just acreage. A Michigan realtor who works with acreage can help you weigh trail proximity alongside barn condition, fencing, pasture and well and septic.

The featured photo is from a 10-acre wooded estate in neighboring Addison Township, one of Leila's closed sales.

Thinking about selling a home near the trails?

Trail access, acreage and barns are features buyers look for, and they should be front and center in your listing. Start with a free home value estimate or read about how Leila sells homes. Relocating from another state? Our out-of-state buyer guide explains how to buy from a distance.

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride horses in Oakland Township parks?

Yes. Oakland Township Parks and Recreation allows horseback riding at Charles Ilsley Park and Cranberry Lake Park, and recommends the Paint Creek Trail north of Dutton Road for riders. Horses must stay on designated trails, and limestone trails at Bear Creek Nature Park and Draper Twin Lake Park close to horses from March 1 through June 8.

How long is the Paint Creek Trail in Oakland Township?

The Paint Creek Trail is 8.9 miles long, and 5.3 miles of it run through Oakland Township. The limestone trail connects Rochester Municipal Park to the Village of Lake Orion and allows horseback riding, biking, hiking, jogging and cross-country skiing. It is day-use only and closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Is there horse trailer parking at Oakland Township parks?

Charles Ilsley Park has parking for one horse trailer, plus six car spaces, at its entrance off Predmore Road. Cranberry Lake Park has parking lots west of the restored Flumerfelt barn and at the north end near 32 Mile Road. Call Oakland Township Parks and Recreation at 248-651-7810 to confirm current trailer parking.

Do you need a septic inspection to sell a home in Oakland Township?

No. Oakland County does not require a septic inspection to sell a home, so it is up to the buyer's realtor to inform the buyer and arrange one. Leila Modetz recommends a thorough inspection of both the drain field and tank, plus a stress test, before buying any home on septic.

Which school districts serve Oakland Township, MI?

Three public school districts serve Oakland Township: Rochester Community Schools, Lake Orion Community Schools and Romeo Community Schools. Boundaries do not match the township line, so the district depends on the specific address. Check with the district directly, or ask your realtor to verify it, before you make an offer on a home.

How do I find a realtor for horse property in Oakland Township?

Look for a realtor who regularly sells acreage and equestrian homes and knows local zoning, well and septic, and trail access. Leila Modetz is an eXp Realty realtor based in Oxford with over $68 million in real estate sold, focused on luxury, lakefront, acreage and equestrian homes in Oakland and Lapeer counties.

If you're looking for a home with room to ride near Oakland Township's trails, or you're thinking about selling one, Leila is happy to talk it through. Reach out any time for a no-pressure conversation.

Sources

• Oakland Township Parks and Recreation: Horses in the Parks (accessed Oct. 20, 2026)
• Oakland Township Parks and Recreation: Charles Ilsley Park (accessed Oct. 20, 2026)
• Oakland Township Parks and Recreation: Cranberry Lake Park (accessed Oct. 20, 2026)
• Oakland Township Parks and Recreation: Paint Creek Trail (accessed Oct. 20, 2026)
• Oakland Township Parks and Recreation: Parks list (accessed Oct. 20, 2026)
• Oakland Township Trail Guide (May 2026)
• Oakland Township Parks Overview Map
• Charter Township of Oakland: Our History (accessed Oct. 20, 2026)
• Oakland County Parks: Addison Oaks County Park (accessed Oct. 20, 2026)