Lakenenland - Michigan Upper Peninsula's goofy drive-through sculpture garden
Lakenenland is the goofy drive-through sculpture garden in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
If you’re visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and you love Goofy USA, you can’t miss Lakenen Land. This self-guided tour through the forest will bring you to some very entertaining and sometimes polarizing art. But these aren’t just little statues by any means, some of them being quite tall.
Tom Lakenen started building his junkyard art sculptures from scrap iron to keep himself from going to the taverns, he says. In 2003, he opened his 37-acre property called Lakenenland, free to the public, as a rest spot and outdoor art gallery. It’s a mouthful to say (don’t skip that third syllable!) and an eyeful to see.
Lakenen has built over 100 sculptures, ranging from whimsical to political. There are also mining memorabilia. The main Sculpture Trail, which can be driven, is way better to experience on foot. There are some sculptures with written messages, so get up close to read those. And pose for some photos with your favorites! We only walked the main trail so we missed the bog walk and the south trail.
Some of the sculptures are big enough to stand on, or in, and some of them are kinetic. That means stuff moves on them. But all of them are truly entertaining.
In the winter, you can even explore by snowmobile! The sign by the parking lot prohibits wheeled vehicles in the winter.
Apparently, the local planning and zoning boards give the guy some troubles, so the multiple ‘welcome’ signs at the entrance apparently exclude hospitality to member of those boards. We sure were happy that he invited us!
There’s also a band shell and creator Tom Lakenen invites musicians to come play. A donor gave Tom enough money to build a picnic area and, when he’s there, Tom will even sell you a t-shirt!
The sculptures are impressive, whimsical, entertaining, kinetic but, most of all, they’re definitely Goofy USA!
