Lakenenland Sculpture Park Marquette MI
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Lakenenland Sculpture Park Marquette MI

4.9
·2k reviews·Marquette, United States

A sprawling outdoor sculpture park featuring hundreds of unique, repurposed metal art installations. Free and open 24/7!

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for sculptures

CrowdMedium
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Lakenenland Sculpture Park Marquette MI

Lakenenland Sculpture Park Marquette MI

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for sculptures

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A sprawling outdoor sculpture park featuring hundreds of unique, repurposed metal art installations. Free and open 24/7!

4.9
(2k reviews)

"Absolutely amazing! What this guy can do with metal that he repurposes is unbelievable!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Walk for the Best View

While you can drive, walking the trails offers a more intimate experience with the art. Wear comfy shoes!

💰 Donations Welcome

This amazing park is free, but donations help keep the art and grounds maintained. Give what you can!

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Whimsical Metal Sculptures

Whimsical Metal Sculptures

Discover hundreds of creative, repurposed metal art installations scattered throughout the park. A true outdoor art gallery!

Bog Walk and Nature Trail

Bog Walk and Nature Trail

Explore a peaceful boardwalk trail through a bog, offering a different perspective and hidden discoveries. Perfect for nature lovers.

Kid-Friendly Playground

Kid-Friendly Playground

A dedicated play area ensures younger visitors have fun while adults admire the art. Great for family road trips.

Instagram
Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial

Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial

A poignant tribute to the historic shipwreck, adding a layer of local history and reflection to the park.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Quirky Art

Lakenenland is a unique outdoor sculpture park featuring repurposed metal art. It's a free, self-guided experience, open 24/7. Plan for at least an hour to explore the walking trails and discover the diverse, often whimsical, creations. Donations are appreciated to support this local gem. Reddit

Best Ways to Explore

You can drive or walk through Lakenenland. Walking allows for a more immersive experience and closer inspection of the hundreds of sculptures, with trails covering about a mile. Consider comfortable shoes if you plan to explore on foot. InstagramReddit

Best Times

When
Daytime
Why
Best light for sculptures
Crowd
Medium
When
Early Morning
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

More hidden gems in the UP! Lakenenland is about 20 minutes from Marquette, MI. It’s a must stop if you’re driving along the coast of Lake Superior. I found this place by accident, on my first trip to the UP. I had to come back with Fox, and this time we stayed the night. I love outside (and outsider) art installions. They are almost always dog friendly, as opposed to museums. The fact that Tom La...
@foxandmolly
3.7K likes • 22.7K views

🚶‍♀️ Walk for the Best View

While you can drive, walking the trails offers a more intimate experience with the art. Wear comfy shoes! Reddit

💰 Donations Welcome

This amazing park is free, but donations help keep the art and grounds maintained. Give what you can! Instagram

Save this for your next trip to Marquette & the U.P. 👇🏼🗺️ ✨ Where we stayed: Landmark Inn ☕️ Breakfast & coffee: Trenary Toast, Contrast Coffee, Third Street Bagel, Huron Mountain Bakery 🍽️ Eats: Iron Bay, The Vierling, Third Coast Pizza ⛳️ Golf: Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club, Indian Lake GC (Manistique) 🛍️ Antiques: Better Half Antiques, Birdcage Antiques 🥾 Hikes & outdoors: Sugarloaf Mountain...
@gently.used
2.4K likes • 22.4K views
Exploring Lakenenland Sculpture Park in Marquette, Michigan was one of the coolest stops on our Upper Peninsula road trip with the kids! 🎨🚗 This quirky, FREE roadside attraction is packed with creative metal sculptures, fun photo ops, and even a playground area. A must-see for families visiting the UP Michigan! We loved every minute of it. #Lakenenland #MarquetteMichigan #UpperPeninsula #UPMic...
poshinprogress
2.9K likes • 14.2K views

📸 Photo Opportunities Galore

Bring your camera! The unique sculptures provide endless creative photo ops for all ages. Instagram

🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun

Leashed dogs are welcome, making it a great stop for pet owners exploring the UP. TikTok

Missing Main Streets? While we're working on season 4, we're checking out some of extra clips! Here's more from our stop at Lakenenland sculpture park in Marquette, MI!
mainstreetstv
22 likes • 245 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Walk for the Best View

While you can drive, walking the trails offers a more intimate experience with the art. Wear comfy shoes! Reddit

💰 Donations Welcome

This amazing park is free, but donations help keep the art and grounds maintained. Give what you can! Instagram

📸 Photo Opportunities Galore

Bring your camera! The unique sculptures provide endless creative photo ops for all ages. Instagram

🐶 Dog-Friendly Fun

Leashed dogs are welcome, making it a great stop for pet owners exploring the UP. TikTok

⏰ Open 24/7

No need to rush! This park is accessible anytime, perfect for spontaneous stops on your road trip. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.9
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Lakenenland Sculpture Park for its incredible collection of unique, repurposed metal art and its free, 24/7 accessibility. Many highlight the park's growth over the years and its family-friendly atmosphere, complete with a playground and nature trails. While the art is widely appreciated, a few reviewers mention the presence of political themes in some pieces.

"Absolutely amazing! At least a hundred sculptures. What this guy can do with metal that he repurposes is unbelievable! You can drive or walk. We walked. Probably 1 mi worth of walking to see all the sculptures. You just can't imagine his creativity until you see it! A must stop!! Open 24 hours. No fee."

Bruce Wilk

"I think the last time I was here was around 25 years ago, and there is so much more here than my last visit!

If you love junkyard art, this place is a must-see! He's really built this place into something spectacular. It's free to enter, and takes around an hour and a half if you're hiking it (I wasn't actually paying attention to the time, so I'm making an educated guess. You can drive through, too, if you can't or just don't want to walk). I recommend getting out and walking it, though, if you're able.

There is a playground area, shelters, picnic tables, several porta-potties, and a decent amount of parking. There were quite a lot of vehicles in the lot when we arrived, but I had no issues getting a parking spot.

Besides the sculptures, there's also a lovely pond with beautiful flowers, a nature trail with a boardwalk (and hidden things to find along the way), a big area to rest and have something to eat, a playground area, small concert venue, and some nice memorials, including one for the Edmund Fitzgerald. There is a small souvenir shop, as well (I don't believe there were any snacks, though).

There's so much history here, some seriousness mixed in with silly zany craziness, and tons of beauty. What a great legacy!

If you're visiting the UP for waterfalls, rock hunting, fishing, relaxation, or whatever, I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary!"

Nathan Flaminio

"This place is AMAZING! I highly recommend a visit to anyone in the area. You can walk or drive the trail while looking at such unique pieces of art that are welded, painted, and anything else you can think of! New stuff is added from time to time so it always seems like there is something new to see. There’s also a bog walk. Did I mention it’s free (but donate!!!) and very kid friendly. We had the best time and I love that the artist is local. Amazing time, thank you so much!"

Tay J.

What People Like

Unique repurposed metal art
Free admission & 24/7 access
Family-friendly atmosphere

What People Dislike

Occasional political art

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Lakenenland Sculpture Park is located about 20 minutes from Marquette, Michigan, along the coast of Lake Superior. It's easily accessible by car and a popular stop for those driving through the Upper Peninsula. TikTok

Yes, it's a well-known roadside attraction. Look for signs as you drive along the scenic route. Many visitors discover it by chance and are delighted by the find. TikTok

Most visitors arrive by car, as it's a key stop on many Upper Peninsula road trips. The park is open 24/7, making it convenient for any schedule. Reddit

Lakenenland is often visited in conjunction with other Marquette area attractions, including the historic Landmark Inn, local eateries, and scenic drives along Lake Superior. TikTok

While the park is open year-round, winter visits may be impacted by snow and ice conditions, potentially affecting accessibility for walking. It's best to check local conditions if planning a winter trip.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Admission to Lakenenland Sculpture Park is completely FREE! It's a self-guided, open-air attraction that relies on donations to maintain its unique art and grounds. InstagramReddit

No advance booking is required. Lakenenland is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing for spontaneous visits without any ticketing hassle. Reddit

There is no entrance fee. The park operates on a donation basis, so visitors are encouraged to contribute if they enjoy their experience. Reddit

Lakenenland Sculpture Park is open 24/7, offering visitors the flexibility to explore at any time of day or night. Reddit

Yes, donations are highly appreciated and help support the park's upkeep and the creation of new art. Look for donation boxes on site. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The park features hundreds of unique, handmade metal sculptures created from repurposed materials. You'll also find a bog walk, a playground, picnic areas, and memorials. InstagramReddit

You can do both! Driving allows you to see many sculptures, but walking the trails (about a mile total) provides a more in-depth experience and closer views of the art. Reddit

Absolutely! It's very kid-friendly, with a playground area and many whimsical sculptures that capture children's imaginations. Instagram

Yes, there are several porta-potties available throughout the park for visitor convenience. Reddit

Expect a wide variety of creative metal sculptures, from animals and figures to abstract pieces. Some visitors note political themes in newer additions. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Every sculpture is a potential photo op! Look for the larger, more intricate pieces and the whimsical characters for memorable shots. The bog walk also offers scenic views. Instagram

Yes, photography is highly encouraged! The unique art and natural surroundings provide fantastic opportunities for creative shots. Instagram

While not explicitly stated, it's generally advisable to check local drone regulations and be mindful of other visitors and the artwork when flying drones in public spaces.

Daytime offers the best natural light for photographing the metal sculptures. Early morning or late afternoon can provide softer light and fewer crowds. TikTok

Many visitors enjoy photographing the larger-than-life animal sculptures and the creative, often humorous, figures. The Edmund Fitzgerald memorial also offers a more somber, impactful photo opportunity. Reddit

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Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Lakenenland Sculpture Park is a fantastic destination for families. The free admission and 24/7 access make it an easy addition to any itinerary. Kids will be captivated by the hundreds of whimsical and imaginative metal sculptures, which offer endless opportunities for fun photos and imaginative play. Instagram

The park also features a dedicated playground area, ensuring that younger visitors have plenty of space to run and play. The walking trails are generally easy to navigate, and the bog walk provides a gentle nature experience. It's a place where both children and adults can find something to enjoy, making it a memorable stop on a family road trip through the Upper Peninsula. InstagramReddit

🚗 Road Trippers & Day-Trippers

For those on a road trip through Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Lakenenland is a must-stop, often discovered by chance and remembered fondly. Its convenient location and 24/7 accessibility make it perfect for spontaneous detours. You can easily spend an hour or two here, either driving through or taking a leisurely walk to admire the unique art. TikTokReddit

It's an ideal place to stretch your legs, capture some quirky photos, and experience a truly unique piece of local culture. Many travelers find it to be a refreshing break from long drives, offering a dose of creativity and outdoor exploration without any cost or pre-planning required. Instagram

🐶 Pet-Friendly Explorers

Dog lovers rejoice! Lakenenland Sculpture Park is dog-friendly, allowing you to bring your furry companions along for the adventure. As long as your pets are on a leash, they can join you as you explore the park's unique art installations and nature trails. TikTok

This makes it a perfect stop for those traveling with pets, ensuring that no one in the family is left behind. Remember to bring water for your pets, especially during warmer months, and always clean up after them to help keep the park beautiful for everyone. TikTok

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Artistry of Lakenenland

Lakenenland Sculpture Park is the brainchild of local artist, Tom Lakenen, who transforms discarded metal into captivating works of art. Visitors are consistently amazed by the sheer volume and creativity of the sculptures, which range from whimsical animals and fantastical creatures to abstract forms and tributes. The park boasts over a hundred pieces, with new additions appearing periodically, ensuring a fresh experience for repeat visitors. Reddit

What makes Lakenenland particularly special is its dedication to repurposed materials. Old farm equipment, car parts, and scrap metal are given new life, showcasing ingenuity and environmental consciousness. This 'outsider art' aesthetic is a significant draw, offering a unique perspective on art appreciation that resonates with many. TikTok

While the art is the main attraction, some visitors have noted the inclusion of left-sided political pieces in recent years. While this is within the artist's freedom of speech, it's something to be aware of if you prefer to avoid political commentary during your visit. Reddit

Exploring the Park's Amenities

Beyond the impressive sculptures, Lakenenland offers several amenities to enhance the visitor experience. The park features a bog walk, a charming boardwalk that meanders through a wetland area, providing a tranquil contrast to the metallic art. This trail is often described as peaceful and offers opportunities to spot local flora and fauna. Reddit

For families, the playground area is a significant plus, allowing children to burn off energy while parents continue to explore. There are also picnic tables scattered throughout the park, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch amidst the art. Porta-potties are available for convenience, ensuring a comfortable visit for all. InstagramReddit

Additionally, the park includes a small souvenir shop where visitors can purchase mementos of their visit. While snacks are not typically sold, the shop offers a chance to support the park further. The presence of memorials, including one for the Edmund Fitzgerald, adds a layer of historical and emotional depth to the park's offerings. Reddit

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