Sugar Island

Sugar Island is a wooded river island in the Detroit River situated between Grosse Ile and Boblo Island, ringed by white sandy beaches. The refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and can only be reached by boat.

In the early 1900s the island hosted a resort park with a large dance pavilion, served by steamships including the SS Tashmoo that operated until 1936. Following the resort's closure, the land remained undeveloped and was later designated as a protected area.

The island serves as a migratory bird sanctuary that draws bird watchers who come to observe passing flocks during seasonal movements. Protected shorelines provide habitat for various species that settle among the trees and waterside areas.

Visitors must use a boat to reach the island since no bridge connects to it and river access is the only way to arrive. The warmer months offer the best conditions for a visit when weather is stable and crossing the water is more comfortable.

The island sits just under half a mile west of the Canadian border, making it a unique spot between two countries within the same river. This proximity to the boundary gives it a geographically surprising quality that many visitors do not expect.

Location: Wayne County

GPS coordinates: 42.09140,-83.14420

Latest update: December 21, 2025 16:05