The Incredible Hike In Michigan That Leads To A Fascinating Abandoned Roadside Attraction
By Jack Springgate|Published November 01, 2023
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Jack Springgate
Author
I'm proud to be from the great state of Michigan. I've lived in the Mitten several different times throughout my life spending time in all corners of it. My journeys took me up and down the Lake Michigan coast, out east to explore Detroit and Ann Arbor, and to the dense forests of the UP.
Before writing with Only In Your State, I worked as a local TV news reporter and anchor, most recently in South Bend. Many of the stories I covered took place in Southwest Michigan. My roots are even deeper in the Wolverine State as I often head to Kalamazoo to visit family.
When I'm not out exploring nature, I'm avidly watching sports. I specifically have a deep love for the Michigan Wolverines (my alma mater), and I get to write about them and several other Big Ten teams as and editor for Athlon Sports. I also love to enjoy the great outdoors with my wife and our dog, Piper.
I'm excited to share all my favorite Michigan destinations with you. Keep exploring.
Michigan is known for great fall fun and Halloween scares. While there are numerous haunted houses around the state with rave reviews, some places don’t need much extra effort to give you the creeps–in a good way. Onsted, Michigan is not only home to a beautiful state park, but also an eerie abandoned roadside attraction that gives us a glimpse into the past. Take a trail from Hayes State Park and eventually find your way to Prehistoric Forest.
You’ll find Hayes State Park right off U.S. 12 in Onsted, Michigan nearly an hour and a half west of Detroit.
The rural town is home to several parks and greenspaces to get away from it all. Unfortunately, the ideal location on the highway is what doomed attractions like Prehistoric Forest once the interstate highway system was built.
Hayes State Park is known for its location right on Wamplers Lake, but it’s also home to 1.5 miles worth of trails.
There is a half-mile trail and a 1-mile trail that are located near many of the campgrounds. This is a family favorite for summer memories with tons to do on the water and in the woods.
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Those who wander far enough away from the lake can eventually make it back to U.S. 12 and find this abandoned theme park from a bygone era.
Prehistoric Forest opened in the early 1960s. Its greatest advantage, this prime location on U.S. 12, ultimately led to its downfall when the interstate highway system was built. The interstates diverted travelers’ routes and attention away from roadside attractions like these.
According to Atlas Obscura, there used to be up to 15 of them. Over the years, some of them went missing. One was found, oddly enough, on top of a local high school building.
The owner updated the author of the article as recently as 2021, saying she is working out the details to reopen and revitalize the park. Maybe, it will one day look like it used to in this old postcard.
This shows some of the park’s most impressive features including a man-made volcano, a safari train, and a 400-foot waterslide. That would be tough to believe today, given the park’s condition, had there not been photographic evidence.
Explorers should take note that Prehistoric Forest is private property. Do not enter unless you have the owner’s permission. However, there are plenty of other places to explore if you’re staying at Hayes State Park, especially if you have an RV. The park has plenty of RV hookups whether you drive your own or you rent one.
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