Arrived to go camping on a friday. Paid cash for two ni ghts. Second day they told us to leave after we already paid for the second. They employee who checked us in stole our other $24 when we checked in had us signed up for one night instead of two like we originally paid for. The park rangers wouldn't do anything about it. They forced us to leave. Saying their hands were tied. They let their employee steal money from myself and my family and ruin our camping trip. We gave the lady two twenty dollar bills and eight single dollars. This lady still has a job after stealing from us. This wasn't right and this needs to be set right. They should really look into who they have working for them. The employees are thieves they steal money from campers. Pay credit card if you choose to camp here. We were robbed don't let it happen to you!
When the water is safe it's a great beach for the family, but there is still things to do if the water is off limits. To be clear when they close the beach it's for our protection and the fact that they keep an eye on the water quality shows they care.
We stayed one night at Sterling State Park. Not because it was terrible, but because it was on our way home. We were kind of unsure about this park because it is near urban areas, but it was a pleasant surprise! The people were friendly enough while we were there. And it is quite beautiful. There is some noise from the power plant, but it is bearable. This is a good size campground and sometimes the noise from campers can be worse. The young gentleman who was at the first gate failed to tell us about filling our water tanks before getting into the park to make it easier on the guests. (We later learned he was corrected 3 different times that day- newbie.) In all actuality, we made the loop around again after checking in and filled up- no problem.Our check-in young lady was very helpful. She provided a map on how to get to our site. On the back of the map were camp rules- good thing to see after 2 other experiences in Michigan State Parks. (I will be sure to review those ;)We stayed on site 87. It was a clean site... paved pad for your rig and vehicle. This park wants your vehicles on the pad. It was directly across from Lake Erie. Nice view. We also had a view of a coal/electric plant (toward Toledo) and the nuclear power plant (toward Detroit). Our teenage son thought it was fascinating. We also got to see large freighters on the lake- we live in western PA, so that was pretty cool to see. The beach is a good size and it is combed. (It is not the Atlantic Shoreline by any means, but it looks like you could walk about a half a mile to one mile of sandy beach. You can find small shells and lake glass. (I am a sea glass collector thanks to OBX's Camp Hatteras desk girls:) They do not permit dogs or alcohol on the beach, but we did see a little bit of both when no one was looking. Now, they have a biking, running and walking path in and around the campground. It was pretty nice from what I could see. Good trail gravel. They have places to fish from piers and shore on their lagoons and Lake Erie. You need a Michigan fishing license. They look to be in the process of doing some lagoon restoration. Check the status of that if you are booking for this park. Certain places could be closed in the park.The showers and bathrooms were clean! They seemed to have been updated. The showers were private and had hot water! The toilet/sink areas are motion sensored. There are paths through the camping areas to the bathhouses, so no one is walking through your site to get there.We camped in a travel trailer. They have full hook-ups, electric and non-electric sites. The dump station leans your rigs the wrong way when your dumping your waste. (You all with travel trailers, fifth wheels and big rigs know what I mean!) The dumpsters are right near the dump station.
Not the cleanest beach, but you wont go broke on food and attractions, cause there aren't any besides a few vending machines. Plenty of grills for coockout.
Park was clean and relatively busy - but not enough to where you are stepping over people. Nice paths to walk/hike. Beach was nice and clean. Nice family day!
Wonderful campground right on the lake. Maintained paved trails for walking or biking. Boat launch protected from the lake and good fishing from a boat or dedicated docks. Lots of wading birds in the lagoons and kayak rentals available.
We weren't there for all-day activities or camping; just staying in Monroe and looking for a place by the lake. Admission was $11, a lot for what we sought, but every other lakefront property for miles in either direction seemed to be private, so we checked out Sterling State Park. Even on a Saturday there was no one manning the info/entrance booths. The lakefront and trails were pleasant, but for some short lake viewing and a much nicer beach, we recommend a few miles south at Luna Pier, which we found later.
They charge 11.00 to just get in for one day. Very disappointed.We were only there for the day no plans to come back in the coming year. they should have a one day visitor fee.
We tent camped at this park for the first time July 18th. thru July 20th. We had a site right on the beach, it was beautiful but CAN GET EXTREMELY WINDY.....just a warning. The sites are clean, have a fire pit and you can choose full hook ups or just electric. WARNING THEY HAVE NO GARBAGE CONTAINERS.........ANYWHERE. You have to take your garbage to a gated area by the entrance. Not sure why this is but it is very inconvenient. Also there is no shade on any site. The restrooms were kept pretty clean and the showers are pretty clean considering the volume of people using them. I could not believe the amount of people going in there barefoot!!!!! YUCK!! There is no store inside the park but there is one right before the main park entrance. There are many trails for biking or walking and lots of areas to fish, boat or kayak. Lots of park rangers seen driving through during the day but at night when we needed them, both nites due to people screaming and yelling on the beach and plowing off M80's, they were no where to be found. Very nice and quite during the day but had issues at night. The beach is just ok.....the sand area is huge and clean...(raked every morning)..has alot of broken seashells, recommend shoes or flip flops. The water is not the cleanest looking and had alot of floaties on top. Dont get me wrong none of these small issues will stop us from going back, we still had an amazing fun time. Just wanted to give you an honest review.
Stering State is a place everyone should share with there family. Sitting by the lake watcing the waves or the children play, fishing, looking for the nicest boat going out onto the lake. I just love it.