Fayette State Park and Ghost Town
Visit Fayette State Park and learn the history of the beautiful Garden Peninsula. Start at the Welcome Center and view the tiny model of the town to see what it looked like back in the 1800s. While there, shop the gift store and enjoy a scoop of Jilbert's ice cream.
Take your time exploring the Ghost Town and don't miss the historic cemetery, sand beach, and a cliff walk with incredible views of the townsite and harbor.
The historic ghost town is about 10 miles south of Garden Grove Retreat. With cross country skiing at the park once the snow falls, its a great place to visit and enjoy all year long.
A MI Recreation Pass is required for entrance.
'Kitch-iti-kipi'
Palms Book
State Park
Just twenty-five minutes from Garden Grove Retreat, you'll find the Big Spring at Palms Book State Park. Learn about the legend of the springs called Kitchi-ti-kipi, shop the gift store, and ride the raft across clear bubbling springs. You will see schools of lake trout and nature's treasures on the bottom of the springs.
A wonderful day trip. Requires a MI Recreation Pass for entrance.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
You know all about the incredible rock formations at Pictured Rocks, but did you know you can visit incredible beaches and also kayak the shoreline while you are there?
There are also many other ways to see the Rocks. Whether cruise ship, pontoon charter or other private charter, you won't want to miss this incredible attraction located just 1 hour from Garden Grove Retreat.
Plan to spend a day at the park and see all the incredible sights.
Garden Peninsula Sunsets
Whether you watch the sunset from Point Detour in Fairport, Lover's Lane at Fayette, or from a bench at Ozzie Hazen Park at Garden Corners, you will be amazed by the awesome colors and beauty of an U.P. Garden Peninsula sunset!
Eben Ice Caves
Don't miss a day trip to these incredible ice caves located about an hour's drive from Garden Grove Retreat.
Plan to park and walk about one mile to this natural wonder. The Eben Ice Caves are a must-see winter attraction in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The spectacle of ice dripping down a cliff and forming a cave that you can explore is a bucket-list item for all adventurers!
While there is a well-worn path to the attraction, you may want to bring snowshoes in case of fresh snowfall, or wear cleats in case of ice.
Garden Peninsula Sunsets
Take a ride at sunset for gorgeous peeks of the setting sun through trees and across farmfields along the Garden Peninsula. Land in Fayette or Fairport for a full-on view.