Winter Outside: Fat Bikes, Sleds, Skates & Snow Days Around Lapeer

Winter Outside: Fat Bikes, Sleds, Skates & Snow Days Around Lapeer

The first real snow in Lapeer always hits the same way. One day you’re running errands on M-24 in a light jacket, the next morning the rooftops along Nepessing are frosted and you can hear that hollow crunch under your boots in every parking lot. That’s the cue: time to stop staring out the window and actually get outside.

Winter here isn’t just something to “get through.” When the flakes cooperate, Lapeer turns into a pretty great playground, especially if you know where to go — from groomed fat bike trails weaving through the old Oakdale grounds to sledding runs at Rowden, free skating behind the Community Center, and quiet walks along the Linear Park Pathway.

Here’s a local’s loop through some of the best outdoor things to do in Lapeer once the snow flies.

Fat tire biking at Oakdale Trails

Oakdale Trails sits tucked behind Chatfield and the old state home grounds, but once you drop into the trees it feels a lot farther from town. The city’s roughly 10 miles of natural-surface singletrack are open to hikers, runners and cyclists most of the year, and in winter they officially welcome snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and fatbikers.

The main trailhead is easy to reach — just park next to the Pavilian East of Mott College and South of Chatfield.  There is a big kiosk with a map or online here at https://www.crank4acause.org/oakdaletrails to help you get your bearings.  On a cold Saturday, you’ll usually see a cluster of cars with tailgates open, fat bikes leaning in the snow, and folks pulling on extra layers before they head for the loops along Farmers Creek and the old Oakdale grounds.

Behind the scenes, the Friends of Oakdale Trails — an all-volunteer crew that partners with the City of Lapeer — takes care of access, maintenance, and improvements. In the snowy months they’re also the ones out there pulling the groomer, packing certain sections of trail so fat bikes, skis, and snowshoes have a smooth, flowy surface to ride. Thanks to that grooming, you can roll through the trees on a good winter afternoon with your tires humming on packed snow while the woods stay quiet around you.

On a clear winter day, the experience is hard to beat. Frost clings to the old fence lines, Farmers Creek runs dark and cold through the bottomlands, and the light filters through the bare trees in that soft, almost-blue way we only get in January.

How to ride Oakdale in winter (without wrecking the trail)

• Use a true fat bike (wide tires) and drop your pressure low — in soft snow, think “squishy,” not rock-hard.
• If you’re leaving deep ruts or having to walk a lot, it’s too warm; give it a day to refreeze.
• Keep an eye on local posts from Friends of Oakdale Trails for grooming updates and work days.
• Share the trail with skiers and snowshoers — a quick “on your left” and a smile go a long way.

Sledding runs at Rowden Park

When school gets called off and the plows finally catch up, a lot of Lapeer families end up in the same place: Rowden Park, a.k.a. the water tower park across from McLaren on M-24. The city’s largest park has a proper sledding hill along with paved paths, boardwalks over the wetland, two parking lots, and restrooms that stay open year-round.

On a good snow day, you’ll hear the hill before you see it — kids laughing, plastic sleds scraping, someone’s dad shouting “bail!” a little too late. The City of Lapeer added a “use a sled, leave a sled” box here, so even families who don’t own sleds can usually grab one and get in on the fun, with locals dropping off extras to keep it stocked.

Rowden works well if you’ve got a mixed crew. The smaller kids can ride halfway up and still get a nice glide, while the bigger kids and brave adults hike to the top for a faster run. If you’re not feeling the climb, the paved loop at the bottom of the hill makes a nice short winter walk, and there are plenty of spots to stand with a thermos of coffee and just watch the chaos.

City of Lapeer Ice Rink behind the Community Center

If sledding isn’t your thing but you still want that classic winter feel, head over to the City of Lapeer Ice Rink, set up behind the Lapeer Community Center — what most of us still call the Rec Center — on South Saginaw. Tucked just off the back parking lot, the bright blue synthetic ice stands out against the snowbanks and bare trees.

The rink is free to use, and the city keeps a stash of skates on site so you don’t have to own your own pair to join in. On a typical winter afternoon you’ll see a mix of families shuffling along the boards, teenagers trying spins in the middle, and a couple of confident skaters quietly looping the perimeter while music drifts over from someone’s portable speaker.

Because it’s synthetic, the ice holds up through some of the freeze–thaw swings we get in southern Michigan. That means more usable days even when the weather can’t quite make up its mind. It’s strictly for casual skating — no hockey games — which keeps the vibe friendly and low-key. Think “community backyard rink,” just with better boards and no shoveling required.

Parking is simple: pull into the Community Center lot, walk past the building, and you’re basically there. It’s an easy add-on if you’re already in the area for a workout, a swim, or dropping kids at a program inside.

Winter walks: Linear Park & Prairies & Ponds

Not every winter day has to be a full send. When the sidewalks are passable and the wind isn’t brutal, the Linear Park Pathway is a great option for a simple winter walk. This rail-trail runs just over two miles through Lapeer and connects Rowden with other parks, giving you an easy, mostly flat route to stretch your legs or push a stroller — as long as the snow isn’t too deep.

Just up the road from Oakdale’s singletrack, Prairies & Ponds at Oakdale offers something a little quieter: limestone trails, boardwalks, and a floating dock weaving through restored prairie and wetland habitat. In winter, the tall grasses bow under the snow, cattails poke through along the pond edges, and animal tracks crisscross the open areas. It’s the kind of place you go for a slow lap at golden hour, when the sky over the old Oakdale grounds turns pink and the only sound is your boots squeaking on frozen gravel.

Ice fishing days on Lake Nepessing

Once the deep cold really settles in, some folks trade trails for the lake. Lake Nepessing — the largest inland lake in Lapeer County and a popular warm-weather spot for boating and fishing — becomes a different kind of gathering place when safe ice finally sets up.

On good years you’ll see shanties and portable shelters scattered off the public DNR access, along with hardy anglers walking out with buckets and augers. Locals chase a mix of bluegill, crappie, perch, bass, pike, and walleye out there. A quick photo search turns up plenty of Lapeer-area anglers grinning over big bass and pike on the ice — proof that the lake fishes just fine in February, not just July.

Of course, ice is never something to assume. Conditions change with snow cover, temperature swings, and traffic. If you’re thinking about heading out, check with local bait shops, other anglers, or the latest MDNR guidance, and always bring the safety basics: ice picks, a spud bar, flotation, and a buddy.

Quick ideas for your next snow day in Lapeer

• Drop a loop at Oakdale on your fat bike, then warm up with a slow walk through Prairies & Ponds.
• Spend a morning sledding at Rowden, then wander the Linear Park Pathway while the kids burn off the last of their energy.
• Pair a dawn ice-fishing session on Lake Nepessing (when conditions are safe) with an afternoon spin on groomed singletrack.
• Meet friends at the City ice rink behind the Community Center for a free skate, then swing by town for hot chocolate.
• Join a Friends of Oakdale Trails work day or grooming session and see how much effort goes into your favorite winter laps.

Winter around here can feel long, but it doesn’t have to feel wasted. We’ve got groomed trails, sledding hills, free skating, quiet boardwalks, and a serious fishing lake all within a few minutes of each other. Next time the forecast calls for snow instead of rain, maybe don’t ask “what is there to do in Lapeer?” — just grab your layers, pick a spot, and make a little winter story of your own.

Sources: City of Lapeer; City of Lapeer Community Center, Parks & Recreation; Crank 4 A Cause; Friends of Oakdale Trails; CRAMBA-IMBA; Michigan.org; Lapeer’s Best Parks & Trails listings; The County Press; Mid-Michigan NOW; Michigan DNR; Fishing & Fish (Lake Nepessing Fishing)