Monarch Sculpture Park and Art Center — Attraction in Yelm

My friends and I made an unplanned stop at Monarch Sculpture Park in Tenino, WA, and what an absolute treasure it turned out to be! From the moment we stepped inside the gallery, we were surrounded by an incredible collection of art — some created by the founder (if I remember correctly) and others generously donated. Each piece was unique, inspiring, and beautiful in its own way.

The adventure didn’t stop there. Outside, we wandered across the 5-acre sculpture park, which felt like stepping into an outdoor art dreamscape. Along the trails, we found sculptures tucked among trees and flowers, a peaceful pond, and endless glimpses of Mother Nature at her finest. It’s the kind of place where art and nature come together seamlessly, making every turn feel like a new discovery.

Best of all, Monarch Sculpture is family-friendly and welcoming to all ages. Whether you’re looking to soak in some art, enjoy a leisurely stroll, or simply take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, this place has it all.

Our visit was completely spontaneous, but it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. If you’re anywhere near Tenino, do yourself a favor and stop by Monarch Sculpture Park — you won’t...

We went to Monarch Sculpture Park and Art Center in the late Fall. It was a beautiful, serene walk through the park. The property is about 5 acres and most of it is open to Public to wander around on their own. There is NO Entrance Fee. We ran into the volunteer/caretaker on the property who was walking her dogs, so she opened the one gated area and opened the small gallery for us to look at. We were there on a nice day but I can imagine that it is quite nice in the Spring and Summer to walk around. The Park was quiet and peaceful with unique sculptures. One space that was unlocked for us is where they have 5 peacocks that are penned up and where they do Summer programs in. She also opened the Gallery at the front of the property for us to look at the art. The Park is about 30+ minutes from Olympia towards Tenino. There is no parking lot and Google Maps brings you to a small dirt drive next to the entrance where you can park and walk over or you can back track to the next left turn and then take a left at the first private road that runs past several homes that will be on your right and at the end of the road is the...

This was a fun place to visit, off the beaten path surrounded by forests and farms. There is a small parking lot in front of the bike path in front. You walk around and explore different art sculptures, from abstract to wimsy. I enjoyed a leisure walk around the grounds exploring each area. It took me away from the stresses of life and sparked imagination and creativity. This is definitely a great place for young and old to enjoy. It's completely free, but please donate to this gift of a place. The front facility has free water and a cute hidden closet with pockets for young kids to explore. Very clean, lots of places to sit and enjoy. You can bring a lunch or some snacks and sit at the picnic table. Volunteers were on the grounds weeding and pruning, met one of them who gave me more info on the park sculptures. If you have young kids, make sure to plan a visit between 10-2 Saturdy & Sunday, for them to explore the maze section, You will see peacocks and interactive art there. There are sound gardens, a bubble station, a corn hole, a ladder ball, and a hoop game to enjoy. Come explore, relax, read, draw, let your...