, check out one of the state’s many abandoned amusement parks—Prehistoric Forest, Deer Acres, Deer Forest, and Emerald Park—that have since fallen silent. All four lived and died in the Great Lakes State, now reduced to husks of their former selves, left to rust as derelict monuments to the old Americana.

Whether you’re just tired of visiting the same old tourist traps or simply wanting to head off the beaten path, exploring abandoned places can offer the thrill you’re looking for—and what better abandoned place to visit than an amusement park?

Here to guide you on a tour of Michigan’s abandoned amusement parks is none other than

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Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park

Location: Onsted, Michigan

Abandoned since: 2002

What made Prehistoric Forest special

Just off the highway in the woods of Onsted, Michigan, there lies a forgotten forest filled with dinosaurs, cavemen, and ancient waterfalls—the crumbling remains of Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park.

Established in 1963, Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park was a veritable tourist trap in the best ways possible, filled with giant fiberglass dinosaurs, an active man-made volcano, and a 400-foot tall water slide. The park made for a fun weekend experience enjoyed by countless families across Michigan

Unfortunately, Prehistoric Forest would learn the hard way that nothing lasts forever, finally going extinct near the turn of the century as interstates rerouted the traffic from cities, cutting the park and so many other roadside attractions off from their customer base.

What to know before you go

Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park, while abandoned, still sits on private property, meaning you should not visit without express permission from the current landowner—doing so could result in a trespassing charge.

That said, the entrance, main building, park sign, and one of the dinosaurs are still visible from the highway, so it may be possible to park alongside the road and grab a quick picture without actually entering the park grounds. It may not be ideal, but it is abandoned, after all.

Pro Tip Located just five miles away from the abandoned remains of Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park is
Dinosaur Gardens
, an (operational) tourist attraction boasting several dozen sculptures of dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, and prehistoric birds.

Deer Acres Amusement Park

Location: Pinconning, Michigan

Abandoned since: 2010

What made Deer Acres special

If Prehistoric Forest was beloved, Deer Acres was…well, not exactly up to the same caliber, even in its heyday. Established in 1958 and built around the theme of classic fairy tales, Deer Acres Amusement Park was always a bit eerie.

Visitors could take a mini train ride through the woods (not creepy at all) or ride the Ferris wheel that looked as though it might topple over at any given second. As families navigated the park’s storybook scener, statues watched from their pedestals.

This uncanny, surreal atmosphere wasn’t enough to keep visitors coming, and the park eventually closed in the mid-2000s.

What to know before you go

As you might expect, Deer Acres Amusement Park still resides on private property, so it is not advised nor recommended to try and enter the park—doing so would be considered trespassing and can get you in trouble with the law.

You can, however, still drive by the entrance to Deer Acres—you’ll know you’re there once you see the creepy, decaying toy soldier out front.

MORE:

The best castles in Michigan to visit

Deer Forest Fun Park

Location: Coloma Charter Township, Michigan

Abandoned since: 2014

What made Deer Forest Fun Park special

Established in 1949 in

Coloma

, Deer Forest Fun Park was once a place where fond memories were made. In the decades following the park’s opening, thousands of Michigan families would spend the day taking in the sights, enjoying the rides, and interacting with the hundreds of deer that gave the park its name.

Remaining open for nearly 65 years, Deer Forest Fun Park closed its gates for good in 2014 and has sat abandoned ever since, despite several efforts to revive it.

What to know before you go

In October of 2021, Deer Forest Fun Park went to auction—if you want to swing by the front entrance one last time before it will likely get demolished, now is the time to do it. Remember, however, that attempting to explore the old park is considered trespassing and not recommended nor encouraged.

MORE: How to check for Michigan road closures

Edgewater Amusement Park

Location: Detroit, Michigan

Abandoned since: 1981

What made Edgewater special

When you think of

Detroit

, Michigan, the first thing you think of probably isn’t Edgewater Amusement Park—and who could blame you? Having closed over 40 years ago now, Edgewater isn’t a name most people would recognize—but at one time, Edgewater was Detroit’s most popular park.

First opening in 1927, Edgewater Amusement Park encompassed 23-acres of Detroit’s West Side and quickly became the city’s prime recreation hotspot, boasting a massive Ferris wheel, the “Wild Beast” roller coaster, and several other rides.

During both the Great Depression and World War II, Edgewater became a beacon of light for many looking to distract themselves from the bleak reality of life in those dark times, the inexpensive entrance fee bringing them in like moths to a flame.

After the war ended, Henry Wagner purchased the park in 1947, adding more rides. Edgewater prospered up until the late 1970s, at which point they could no longer compete with more popular parks like Cedar Point.

On September 13th, 1981, Edgewater would shut its gates for good.

What to know before you go

As with all the other aforementioned parks, Edgewater still exists but resides on private property, the dilapidated husks of old rides poking out of the earth like bones of some great beast.

Edgewater’s former grounds are now home to the

Greater Grace Temple

, and trespassing is strongly discouraged, so it is unlikely you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of what remains of Detroit’s once-beloved amusement park.

MORE:

Everything you need to know about driving in Detroit

How to save money on car insurance

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FAQs

Does Michigan have any abandoned amusement parks?

Like many states, Michigan has several abandoned amusement parks that no longer operate, with the most well-known being Edgewater, Deer Acres, Prehistoric Forest, and Deer Forest Fun Park. All of these parks closed their doors for the last time right around the turn of the century, beginning the slow descent into obscurity, lost to the forgotten annals of history.

Is it legal to visit abandoned amusement parks?

Since all of Michigan’s abandoned amusement parks still reside on private property, exploration without express permission from the owner is considered trespassing and therefore illegal. It is not advised to venture onto the old grounds of any parks mentioned in this article.

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