Hilltop Nature Area

Overview

Hilltop Nature Area is a 7.7-acre natural area connected to Kuebler Langford Nature Area, which connects to Bird Hills Nature Area, and within walking distance of Sunset Brooks Nature Area. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context. There are no signs or markers showing the border between Kuebler Langford and Hilltop, which is considered a separate nature area due to the history of the old Camp Hilltop, the park's namesake. Its ecosystem consists of oak-hickory forest and a small prairie pocket. This nature area has spectacular views of the Huron River valley with rich carpets of wildflowers in the spring as well as a small creek. Rare and interesting plant species found in Hilltop include broad-leaved puccoon, Michigan lily and wood betony.

Park Notices

Unless otherwise posted per City Council resolution, when a park is closed, no person shall remain in or enter it other than to quietly sit or walk.

Refer to Chapter 39 of the City of Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances for park regulations and rules.

Park Hours

6 a.m. - Midnight

Amenities

Unpaved Trails

Access and Parking

Hilltop Nature Area is accessible by walking through Kuebler Langford Nature Area, which borders it to the south.

There is some parking for Kuebler Langford available on Beechwood Drive and limited shoulder parking on the east side of the park along the western shoulder of Huron River Drive. Kuebler Langford can be reached on foot and bicycle by walking and riding along the neighborhood streets to the south of the park, using the Beechwood Drive entrance. There are bike racks at this entrance.

Public Transportation

The nearest bus stop is on Sunset Road, a short walk from the entrance to Kuebler Langford. Visit TheRide for closest stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide.

Park Maps

Open the Park Tracker - See your location while in the park Open the Park Finder - Discover more Ann Arbor parks

History

Ann Arbor's city parks sit on the ancestral and traditional homelands of several indigenous Native peoples. Read a land acknowledgement from the city and learn more about the early history of the land here.

Before Hilltop Nature Area was a park space, it was Camp Hilltop, which was owned and used by the Girl Scouts of Huron Valley. In the early 1940s, the land was owned by DTE energy, who allowed the Girl Scouts to use it. The land was purchased by Cone W. Lighthall in 1946 and then donated to the Girl Scouts the next year. A lodge was envisioned and then built in 1948, being completed and dedicated in 1949. The Girl Scout troops used the land until April 2006, when the lodge burned down. Luckily, no one was there, but with all the damage to the lodge, the Girl Scout council decided to sell the property. The city purchased it in summer 2006 for $2.24 million, using funds from Ann Arbor’s Greenbelt program. It was officially named “Hilltop” in 2009. If you visit Hilltop Nature Area today, you can still see an old marker and a flag pole from the scout camp.

Girl Scouts dedicating a flag at the Camp Hilltop lodge in 1949 (Source: AADL)

Read a NAP Newsletter article describing the restoration of Hilltop early after the city acquired the land:

2008 Park Focus: Camp Hilltop by Billy Kirst and Jason Tallant

Volunteer in the parks

Looking to make an impact in a park or nature area? Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation provides volunteer opportunities for almost every interest, ability, and commitment level.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities

Park Finder

Discover parks and find amenities through the City of Ann Arbor Park Finder. This map allows you to search park names or search by amenity type or keyword.

View the Park Finder

A2Fix It - Service request tool

A2 Fix It is an online system you can use to report any maintenance issues or other problems during your park visit. When reporting an issue in a park please include detailed location information in the "details and description" section near the end of the request process. Pictures that provide location context are very helpful.

Submit a request