Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park

Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park is an archaeological park with over 160 carvings etched into a sandstone outcrop. The grounds spread through floodplain forest along the Cass River, where a trail network with wooden bridges crosses the water.

The site shows evidence of human settlement across many thousands of years, with stone tools and pottery found throughout the park. These long time spans suggest that multiple generations used and revered this location.

The carved figures tell stories of spiritual beings and hunters that held deep meaning for the Great Lakes tribes who created them. As you walk among the stones, you can sense the connection these communities had to the land and the sacred creatures they honored.

The park is best explored on foot by following the marked trail system, which is straightforward to navigate. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the forest floor is dry and the bridges are safe to walk.

The park is now jointly managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Saginaw Chippewa Nation, a rare partnership between state agencies and Native tribes. This collaboration has fundamentally changed how the site is cared for and protected.

Location: Greenleaf Township

Inception: 1971

Operator: State of Michigan

Website: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=490&type=SPRK

GPS coordinates: 43.65780,-83.01860

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:58