Last updated October 9, 2026 · ranked from 5,299 Google reviews · How we rank
This list ranks 7 parks in and around Bay City, MI, led by Wenonah Park at World Friendship Shell, Bigelow Park and Veterans Memorial Park. Together they have 5,299 Google reviews; Wenonah Park Pavilion has the highest Google rating on the list at 4.7. Every place on the list is in Bay City, MI. Rankings weigh Google rating, review volume, how complete and current each listing is, and our own notes on each place.
A riverside promenade and an amphitheater for concerts and public events put Wenonah Park at World Friendship Shell at the top of this list. This compact green space at 111 Center Ave in Bay City, MI combines waterfront walks with picnic tables and a play area. Public restrooms, free parking, and wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking and seating add practical reasons to visit. Dogs are welcome, too. Its 4.6-star Google rating from 1,437 reviews supports the first-place choice alongside that mix of setting and facilities.
Riverside promenade
Concert amphitheater
Free parking
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Riverwalk access and a well-rounded set of picnic and play facilities earn Bigelow Park the No. 4 spot in Bay City, MI. A pavilion, picnic tables, and barbecue grill support outdoor meals, while slides, swings, and open grass give children space to play. The boat dock adds another riverside feature. Free parking, public restrooms, and a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking make up its practical amenities. Dogs are welcome, and the park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Riverside walkways, sports facilities and picnic spaces earn Veterans Memorial Park its No. 5 spot in Bay City, MI. The large park on John F Kennedy Drive includes a baseball field, volleyball court, marina, arboretum and concert stage. Slides and swings give children a place to play, while picnic tables and barbecue grills support outdoor meals. Public restrooms, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and accessible parking add practical value. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., it also welcomes dogs.
Riverside walkways
Sports fields
Picnic tables and grills
“Needs a little cleaning from animals waste. But other than that, looks great for children to play at!”
Picnic tables and a public restroom give Wenonah Park Pavilion the practical basics for an outing in Bay City, MI. Ranked sixth, this park at 103 Center Ave welcomes children and dogs, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible parking. Its daily hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. allow for morning visits or evening picnics. Those facilities, along with a Google rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 45 reviews, make it a useful choice for this list.
Wetland views from a boardwalk earn Ted Putz Nature Area the No. 7 spot among parks in Bay City, MI. This 4-acre park at 1105 S Arbor St overlooks the Saginaw River floodplain, giving visitors a specific landscape to explore. Reviewers mention birdwatching, dog walks, and a nine-hole disc golf course suited to learning the fundamentals. Dogs and children are welcome, and the park lists a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking. Its Google rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 141 reviews.
Wetland boardwalk views
Nine-hole disc golf
Dogs welcome
“This nine-hole disc golf course offers a pleasant experience, featuring notable tree formations. While not extensive in size, it provides an excellent environment for individuals to grasp the fundamentals of disc golf. The convenient pre…”
Shade, a duck pond and space to play earn Carroll Park its No. 8 spot among parks in Bay City, MI. Dating to 1875, this tree-lined park combines tennis courts and a playground with a pavilion, picnic tables and barbecue grills. One reviewer notes the walkway around the pond and its animal statues. Public restrooms, wheelchair-accessible parking and an accessible entrance add practical support for outings, while daily hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. leave room for both morning walks and evening visits.
Duck pond walkway
Playground and tennis
Shaded picnic setting
“Wonderful park! Lots of shade, a cute little walkway around the pond with animal statues, and a playground”
Picnic tables and a child-welcoming setting give Kantzler Memorial Arboretum a practical place at rank 9 among parks in Bay City, MI. Located at 701 John F Kennedy Dr, it offers a spot for an outdoor meal, with wheelchair-accessible parking and an accessible entrance to help with arrival. The park is listed as open 24 hours daily, allowing flexible timing for a visit. Its 4.7 Google rating from 20 reviews adds positive visitor feedback to those useful amenities.
4.7(20)4.7 out of 5 from 20 reviews (Google rating)
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Open
Ratings and review counts shown are Google ratings, displayed with attribution.
How we ranked this list
Each park is scored on a Bayesian-weighted rating (its rating adjusted for how many reviews it has compared with the Bay City category average), how recently we verified its details, and how complete its listing is. Scores and ranks are stored, so the order only changes when the underlying data changes.
Wenonah Park at World Friendship Shell, Riverwalk Pier and Ted Putz Nature Area are open 24 hours every day. Veterans Memorial Park opens daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., while Carroll Park and Bigelow Park open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Which parks have playgrounds and picnic facilities?
Veterans Memorial Park, Carroll Park and Bigelow Park each have playground slides and swings, picnic tables, barbecue grills and public restrooms. Carroll Park adds a duck pond and tennis courts; Veterans Memorial Park has baseball and volleyball facilities; Bigelow Park has a picnic pavilion and boat dock.
Where can I take a dog in Bay City, MI?
Bay County Dog Park is at 1008–1098 Livingston St and has picnic tables, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and accessible parking. A reviewer describes its double-sided layout with space for large and small dogs. Dogs are also welcome at Veterans Memorial Park, Wenonah Park, Carroll Park, Bigelow Park, DeFoe Park, Nate Doan Park, Birney Park and Ted Putz Nature Area.
Which riverside locations have free parking and wheelchair-accessible facilities?
Wenonah Park and Riverwalk Pier both have free parking lots, wheelchair-accessible entrances, accessible parking and accessible seating. Bigelow Park has a free parking lot, an accessible entrance and accessible parking. Veterans Memorial Park has both free and paid parking lots, along with an accessible entrance and accessible parking.
Where can I walk beside the river or view wetlands?
Riverwalk Pier at 505 Germania St offers a walkway overlooking the Saginaw River and scenic lookout spots. Wenonah Park at 111 Center Ave has a riverside promenade. For wetland scenery, Ted Putz Nature Area at 1105 S Arbor St has a boardwalk overlooking the Saginaw River floodplain; one reviewer also highlights bird viewing.
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