Facility Overview

Martindale Beach Parking Lot is the primary lakeside surface parking area serving the northern shores of Kent Lake within the scenic Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. Operating as an expansive, open-air paved lot, it provides immediate waterfront access to one of Oakland County’s most frequented public recreation hubs. The facility is arranged across wide, clearly delineated driving lanes and angled parking bays organized to handle heavy seasonal recreation volumes. Because it is completely open to the sky with zero overhead height barriers, the lot is fully accessible for standard passenger sedans, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, conversion vans, and vehicles equipped with roof-mounted bicycle or kayak racks. Designated spaces and turning aisles are also generous enough to accommodate larger family vehicles and small utility trailers.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Serving as the gateway to premier warm-weather recreation, Martindale Beach Parking Lot places visitors just steps from key park attractions and regional highlights:

• Martindale Beach & Kent Lake: Located within a 1 to 2-minute walk from parking bays, offering an extensive sandy beach, designated swimming area, lawn sunbathing areas, and public changing facilities.
• Splash 'n' Blast Water Park: Situated directly adjacent to the beach concessions, featuring two 240-foot serpentine waterslides and an interactive zero-depth splash pad.
• Kent Lake Paved Trail Loop: Directly intersects the parking perimeter, connecting cyclists, runners, and walkers to the 8.5-mile paved loop encircling the entire lake.
• Island Queen III & Boat Rental: Less than a 5-minute drive (or a short ride along the lakeside path), where visitors can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and rowboats, or embark on a narrated scenic pontoon tour.
• Kensington Metropark Farm Center & Nature Center: A short 5- to 7-minute drive across the park, featuring working farm animals, interpretive exhibits, and renowned bird-feeding nature trails.
• Downtown Milford: Approximately 10 minutes to the north, offering historic boutique shopping, riverside breweries, and local dining destinations.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the parking area is straightforward via Kensington Metropark’s primary circulation route, Huron River Parkway, which connects seamlessly to major regional arterial roads. Long-distance motorists and day-trippers can reach the park via Interstate 96 using Exit 151 (Kensington Road) or Exit 153 (Kent Lake Road). Park toll booths manage entry efficiently, distributing traffic onto wide two-lane parkway loops with clear directional signage pointing directly to the Martindale Beach complex. Exiting during peak summer weekends or post-fireworks events is routed smoothly through multi-lane parkway connections heading back out to I-96 and Grand River Avenue. While regional scheduled mass transit does not serve Kensington Metropark, the lot serves as an active multi-modal trailhead for non-motorized travel, connecting straight into the regional Huron Valley Trail and Milford Trail networks.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Expansive open-air surface lot with hundreds of paved, clearly striped parking stalls.
• Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating lifted trucks, camper vans, and rooftop gear racks.
• Direct barrier-free ADA parking spaces located closest to the paved beach promenade, beach bathhouse, and splash area.
• Adjacent family amenities, including modern restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic shelters, charcoal grills, and seasonal concession stands.
• Entry payment handled conveniently via park toll plazas accepting cash, debit, and credit cards for daily vehicle permits or annual Metroparks passes.
• Patrolled on an ongoing basis by Huron-Clinton Metroparks police and park rangers for visitor safety and property monitoring.

Ideal For

• Families and beachgoers spending a full summer day at Martindale Beach and Splash 'n' Blast.
• Cyclists, joggers, and inline skaters using the paved 8.5-mile Kent Lake loop trail.
• Water sports fans hauling kayaks, paddleboards, and personal flotation equipment to Kent Lake.
• Picnickers and reunion organizers reserving nearby shoreline shelters and open lawn groves.
• Winter trail walkers and cross-country ski enthusiasts accessing snow-covered lakeside trails.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Park Pass Requirement: Kensington Metropark requires an entry permit for all vehicles. Expect to purchase either a $10 daily pass or present an annual Huron-Clinton Metroparks vehicle pass at the entrance gate before reaching the lot.
• Summer Midday Crowds: On warm summer weekends and holidays, Martindale Beach is exceptionally popular. Aim to arrive before 10:30 AM or after 4:00 PM to secure the closest stalls near the water.
• Splash 'n' Blast Tickets: The splash pad and water slide require a separate entry wristband beyond the standard vehicle entry pass, which can be purchased on-site at the beach concession window.
• GPS Navigation: When using smartphone navigation, search specifically for "Martindale Beach Kensington Metropark" rather than just the generic park address to route directly to this northern lakefront turnaround rather than the administrative offices or golf course.