Exploring This Hidden State Park In Michigan Is The Definition Of An Underrated Adventure
By Tori Jane|Published February 12, 2024
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Tucked away in Cass City, Michigan is something a lot more special than it ever gets credit for: it’s the amazing Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, and goodness, is it ever an adventure. Here, you’ll find one of the largest Native American teaching sites to be literally set in stone – and that’s just the beginning. Come explore an absolutely awe-inspiring Michigan state park that seldom (if ever) gets the love and admiration it deserves. Of the 103 incredible state parks in Michigan, this one is easily the least appreciated. Check it out!
Welcome to Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park (try saying that three times fast)!
This gorgeous expanse of land is some of Michigan's most beautiful - and remarkable.
But somehow, it typically ends up lost in the sea of other more popular destination state parks in the Mitten. It's unfortunate, but it also simply means more room for us to look around.
It's an excellent backdrop for at least a full day's adventure, with a footbridge, stunning forest wilderness, waterfalls, a rushing stream, and, of course, the petroglyphs.
The petroglyphs are incredibly remarkable - and here, you'll find a 1,000 square foot rock face with more than 160 ancient rock drawings on it. The carvings are known as ezhibiigaadek asin, or "written on stone" in the Anishinaabemowin language.
It's certainly not every day we encounter a doorway into the past, but if this park isn't exactly that - a portal to the annals of human history - then I don't know what is.
Learn all about the different symbols and their meanings and decode the language on the rocks.
Read interpretive signs placed all over the park to learn about the land, the people who used to call it home long, long before us, and more. It's an awesome option for a solo outing or a trip with the whole family.
So, come out for the absolutely extraordinary history, but stay for the jaw-dropping beauty in every crack and crevice.
But perhaps that’s also part of what makes it so charming – it’s quiet, and I like it that way. For more information about this fascinating, low-key Michigan state park that tends to go WAY under the radar, be sure to check out the official Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic Site webpage for all the details. Admission is free!
What’s your favorite underrated park in Michigan? Let me know!
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