Sunset Park Ice Pole

Every winter, water dripping out of a vertical pipe creates a dynamic ice sculpture shaped by the cold winds that tear across Lakes Michigan and Charlevoix in the northwest corner of Lower Michigan.

The ice appears blue and white, creating as many shapes as the clouds. Its appearance is as unpredictable as the frigid winter elements that craft it. The best shapes seem to form after a warm snap, right before the temperatures return to sub-freezing.

It’s a quirky local attraction; a natural art show that delights locals year after year (though in the past, the pole has been taken down to make room for an ice skating rink). The Ice Pole lasts for as long as the winter decides to remain in the area.

When Lake Charlevoix is frozen over, ice fishing and iceboating can be seen from Sunset Park.