If you’ve spent a significant amount of time here in the Great Lakes State, you’ve almost certainly explored the Detroit Zoo at least once. After all, this sprawling complex is a popular destination for families who want to get up close and personal with wildlife and unique creatures from across the globe. While this Belle Isle Zoo in Michigan is undeniably famous, its history is less commonly known – and remnants of its earliest days offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. Come see what is now a collection of abandoned Michigan buildings and find the answer to the question, “why did Belle Isle Zoo close?”

Flickr/Boston Public Library
In 1910, the Detroit Zoo first opened its doors on Belle Isle, Detroit’s beloved island park. In its heyday, the zoo drew in countless visitors from across the region who wanted to gaze at everything from seals to elephants to baby tigers. When the Detroit Zoo was transferred to its current Royal Oak locale in the mid-1950s, its original space on Belle Isle became a children’s zoo. This iteration of the zoo remained in operation until the 1980s, at which point it was rebranded as "Safariland."

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These remnants may being up a sense of nostalgia in those who visited this zoo during their youth.
Raphael Vandon/Flickr
Flickr/Rachael Vandon
Following a strange series of animal escapes and financial troubles, the zoo was officially closed to the public in the early 2000s and has remained abandoned for more than a decade. While the Belle Isle Nature Center has brought new life to the area and taken in some of the creatures who previously called the zoo home, the original complex reflects a sense of sadness. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience the defunct and decidedly eerie zoo structures that once bustled with activity, you’re in luck: YouTube user Steven Strauss shot incredible drone footage of the abandoned zoo back in 2017. You can check it out for yourself here:

While the footage shows a bleak and unkempt scene, it’s easy to imagine the fun outings that took place here during decades past. Did you have a chance to visit this Belle Isle gem before its demise? Does this footage stir any memories of your time at Safariland or the children’s zoo that once offered unique encounters with animals? We’re always eager to hear from you, so share your thoughts about Michigan’s abandoned zoo by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend another fascinating attraction in the Great Lakes State by filling out our official nomination form.

If you’re a sucker for spooky spots, be sure to check out this road trip to creepy places in Michigan.

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The Creepiest Places in Michigan

William Suphan | February 01, 2023

What are the most abandoned places in Michigan?

The most abandoned places in Michigan include:

  • Eloise Asylum. This started as a farm in 1839, then became a poor house, and later a sanitarium. Of 78 buildings, only 4 remain standing.
  • Northville Regional Psychiatric Hospital. Opening in 1952, this place was operational for 50 years and is said to be haunted.
  • The Southwest Michigan Tuberculosis Sanitarium. This place was so effective at treating tuberculosis that it shut down due to lack of need.
  • Holy Family Orphanage. This opened in 1915 and housed orphaned Native American children. It was abandoned in 1987 but is now being renovated.

Find out more about the most abandoned places in Michigan. 

What are the most disturbing places in Michigan?

The most disturbing places in Michigan include:

  • Pere Cheney. This was a small town that was decimated by diphtheria in 1893 and was built on top of a Native American burial ground and is said to be cursed.
  • Skull Cave. Located on Mackinac Island, this was a burial ground for the Algonquin Nation. A fur trader was escaping the elements and awoke to find himself on a pile of bones.
  • The Felt Mansion. Among other tales of hauntings here, there is an urban legend of creatures with big, round heads called Melon Heads.
  • Jackson Prison. This is the oldest prison in the state, opening in 1839. Visitors tell of feeling odd sensations while here.

Discover more about the most disturbing places in Michigan. 

What are the most haunted cemeteries in Michigan?

The most haunted cemeteries in Michigan include:

  • Hillcrest Memorial Park in Jackson. Those who visit the grave of a girl named Mary McNaughton, who was supposedly buried alive, say they hear her scratching at the lid of her coffin.
  • Forester Cemetery in Carsonville. Visitors reportedly see and heat the spirits of young boys who died in a nearby fire running around.
  • Redford Cemetery in Detroit. People report that they hear a woman crying here, the ground shakes, and a dark figure follows them around.
  • Findlay Cemetery in Ada. It is rumored that a misty blue figure hangs out here as well as an apparition known as the Ada Witch.

Learn more about the most haunted cemeteries in Michigan. 

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