Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park — Attraction in Greenleaf Township

We took a detour on our way home from camping to see this because we have been wanting to see them but they are always closed when we are nearby………FIRST do not take a camper/RV in there unless you are very good at backing out. The parking lot is very small, and there isn’t a shoulder of the road to park on near the park nor is there anywhere nearby to park(we had a 20ft trailer). There is a pit toilet that was rather clean had a rocky solid path leading to it. There was a very short hike through the woods to get to the enclosure…..bring bug spray the mosquitos were bad….the first “staff/volunteer” guy that greeted us was friendly. Told us that the Second Lady would give us some history, he said other stuff to the people in front of us about what basically would happen and had asked if we were with them….i didn’t hear what he was saying to them. All he said to us is that his partner would give us some history. The Second Lady sat at the picnic table, didn’t bother standing up, told us all to have seat. She clearly seen I was holding a dog poop bag and didn’t even point out until SEVERAL minutes later that the big wood box by her was a garbage can. Her way of telling me is “you can probably make use of that garbage can right there.” As I was getting an odd look from her… I just said oh thanks She gave us the spiel about how the petroglyphs were found and the “thumb fire” as well as some history on the tribes and stuff. It was interesting information but would have been more engaging had she actually made eye contact with the group. Her spiel was very monotone looking everywhere except for the people that were there, interrupted several times with her taking a drink. At the end she told me “she can go with you” (pointing to my male dog) “there’s a chair outside the enclosure for you to sit in and listen”. I felt like I was being punished for having my dog. My mom and I were just gonna switch out…..one was gonna look and then we would switch. The third staff volunteer person was friendly and engaging but at the same time she was not. I was moving the “chair” into the shade so my mom wasn’t sitting in the sun she says “we will be back over there in a minute that’s why it’s sitting there. I told her I was moving it out of the sun. I again was getting weird looks. Felt like a criminal for bringing a dog. She was somewhat short with the visitors if they asked questions and most of the answers were I don’t know it would be a good question to ask at….(not sure where I didn’t catch it). She also said they only told me a few things to translate for you…..like we aren’t privileged enough to have information. We left before she finished her spiel. We did not walk the trail because we were getting bit up and getting tired(we still had to finish our drive). Overall I was very disappointed but at the same time it was...

Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park is near Cass City in Michigan's picturesque Thumb region. 🌳🗿

🚶‍♀️ Hiking Enthusiasts, rejoice! This park offers scenic trails that lead you through the serene natural beauty of the area, providing an ideal opportunity to connect with nature while exploring the rich history of this place. 🥾

📜 History Buffs, take note! The Michigan History Center offers engaging guided tours during the summer months. Dive into the ancient Native American teachings carved in stone, and be sure to check the seasonal petroglyphs operating dates and hours to make the most of your visit. 🏞️

🚽 Need a restroom break? Fear not, as the park provides convenient vault toilets for visitors' comfort. 🚻

🍽️ Hungry? There's a picnic area with a picnic table near the parking lot and four more tables near the petroglyphs area. It's first-come, first-served, so be sure to grab your spot for a delightful outdoor meal amidst the beauty of the park. 🍔🥤

💧 Want to cool off? The park is thoughtfully situated along a branch of the Little Cass River, offering water access for those seeking a refreshing dip or a peaceful waterside moment. 🌊

👀 For an extra touch of comfort, there's an observation platform with a roofed enclosure over the petroglyphs viewing area. This shelter provides protection from inclement weather, ensuring you can marvel at the ancient carvings regardless of Mother Nature's mood. ☔

In summary, Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural history, making it a must-visit destination for explorers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a tranquil escape in Michigan's Thumb...

EDIT: GIVING TWO STARS BECAUSE THE PETROGLYPHS ARE COOL, THE PEOPLE JUST WEREN'T.

Petroglyphs were very cool, area is beautiful. We brought a camera with a tripod and all three employees who were there treated us like we were definitely unwelcome. They asked us what we were there for, what we were doing there and kept telling us the rules. Though everyone else, including myself, were taking cell phone pictures and videos, they took issue with our main camera and made us feel very, very uncomfortable. They grilled us with what we were doing there, why we were there and were we working on a project and what was it. They told us we could not take photos of ANYONE there repeatedly, though we told them we just wanted photos/footage of the petroglyphs. We were basically stalked and harassed at a state park that is FUNDED BY TAXPAYER MONEY. We looked up the laws about cameras and taking photos and filming and there are no restrictions whatsoever. We are calling someone about this EXTREMELY aggressive and unwarranted stalk and grill tactic they pulled on us. If you want to see awesome petroglyphs, for sure go there, but just take note that if you use anything but a cell phone to take photos or video, you might be under scrutiny and you just might wind up having your constitutional rights being challenged. Will NEVER go there again.

Would like to add that one disgruntled employee did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING but sit at a picnic table (while I tried to get her to stop going on about my husband's camera) and COMPLAIN about her job and talk about how she was THREATENING TO...