The Michigan Legacy Art Park has two miles of hiking trails dotted with more than 50 sculptures! Each piece is accompanied by an information sign with the name, artist, and meaning of the work. Admission is $5 per person but free for children. The park is located on the grounds of Crystal Mountain near Thompsonville, Michigan.
The park is easy to explore with a park map labeled with key sculptures to keep you on track. We were able to walk the entire park, but you can easily split the trails into multiple visits. Guided tours are also available.
Michigan Legacy Art Park Trails
Amphitheater Trail
Visitors hike a series of interconnected loop trails. Benches are located throughout the park, each in a different shape and theme.
We started clockwise with the Amphitheater Trail. As the name suggests, this trail offers about six sculptures before ending at the amphitheater.
I really enjoyed the net full of fish (Michigan Down Under) found near the Discovery Grove Education Center. Michigan Down Under is a tribute to the Great Lakes fishing heritage.
Ridge Trail
After the amphitheater, continue either left or right on the half-mile Ridge Trail. We continued to follow the left path. Some of my favorite sculptures are part of this route – Wheels of Progress, Weeping Willow, and the Mysterious Traveler.
Wheels of Progress is an enormous archway that visitors can walk under. Each side has a weathervane-like man and woman which mimic Michigan’s windswept peninsulas. There are also several other “whirligigs” between the cables to catch the wind.
Stockade Trail
Visitors can turn around and follow the loop back, or jump onto the last and largest path, Stockade Trail. This 0.8-mile loop twists and winds its way through the woods. It has more uneven terrain and steeper dips than any of the other trails.
The Stockade Labyrinth gives visitors an interactive experience through the sculpture. Images and structures express thoughts of trapping, mining, and farming. All this leads to an overlook platform. From the platform you can get a bird’s-eye-view of the forest.
Something about the simplicity of Barn Chair and how it fits into the surrounding landscape really spoke to me. It overlooks the Betsie River Valley. Depending on the angle, you can frame the valley through the chair’s form.
Access for All Trail
The 0.25-mile Access for All Trail is universally accessible. People with mobility issues can take this route to the amphitheater and back. My favorite pieces on this path are King Stanley and Diversity.
This park is a fantastic way to get outdoors while still enjoying the arts! It was perfect for a day trip if you are staying near Crystal Mountain or Traverse City.