frommichiganwithloveblog
Visit Fayette Historic State Park in Garden, Michigan
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fayette Historic State Park became a Michigan State Park in 1959 and in 1970, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
frommichiganwithloveblog
Fayette contains over 700 acres of history and nature.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
To enter Fayette, a Michigan Recreation Passport is required. Annual resident, non-resident, and day passes are available.
frommichiganwithloveblog
Start at the Visitors Center to see a replica of the historic townsite, owned by Jackson Iron Company from 1867-91.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Visitors Center is staffed to help answer questions. There are bathrooms here as well. Behind the Visitors Center is the trail down to the townsite.
frommichiganwithloveblog
Then continue on to see the 20+ restored buildings. From May through October, enjoy self guided or free guided tours.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fayette formed as a company town in 1867. At one point, 500 people lived here supporting or helping to run the two blast furnaces and charcoal kilns to smelt iron.
frommichiganwithloveblog
You can even walk though the buildings to get a glimpse into what life was like in the mid 1800s.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Guided tours take place on Fridays and Saturdays from May through October.
frommichiganwithloveblog
There are informational signs, 5 miles of trails, a modern campground with 61 sites, and swimming area.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
There are 61 modern campground sites plus Furnace Hill Lodge, which is a cabin that can accommodate up to 10 people. The 5 miles of trails are groomed during winter for cross country skiing.
frommichiganwithloveblog
Plus boating access in Big Bay de Noc with 15 slips for day and overnight use.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Boat camping is available as first come, first served.
frommichiganwithloveblog
Fayette was once home to Jackson Mining Company which manufactured charcoal pig iron. It closed in 1891 after the market declined.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The furnace and kilns can even be walked through!
frommichiganwithloveblog
The cliffs at Fayette are part of the Niagara Escarpment and are a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
4785 II Rd
Garden, MI
Monday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The cliffs are made of dolomitic limestone. The Niagara Escarpment they are part of run from western New York to the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin. The cliffs contain some of the oldest and slowest growing trees in the US.