Gravity Hills in MIchigan

Gravity hills, also known as magnetic hills, mystery hills, or spook hills, are places where cars appear to roll uphill when placed in neutral. While the effect seems to defy gravity, scientists generally agree that these locations are optical illusions created by the surrounding landscape and hidden horizon.

Michigan has several rumored gravity hills, including Putney Road in Benzie County, Oakwood Cemetery in Farmington, Rose City, and Tamarack Water Works Road in Calumet. Whether you're fascinated by science or local folklore, these strange roads remain some of Michigan's most intriguing roadside mysteries.

 

Gravity Hills at a Glance

• Phenomenon: Gravity hills (also called magnetic hills, mystery hills, or spook hills)
• What happens?: A parked vehicle placed in neutral appears to roll uphill.
• Scientific Explanation: Most researchers believe gravity hills are optical illusions created by the surrounding landscape and hidden horizon.
• Michigan Locations: Putney Road (Benzie County), Oakwood Cemetery (Farmington), Rose City, and maybe Tamarack Water Works Road (Calumet).
• Local Legends: Some say magnetic forces are at work, while others blame ghosts or even churches pulling sinners uphill.
• Best Time to Visit: Daylight hours are safest, when road conditions and oncoming traffic are easier to see.
• Worth the Trip?: If you enjoy roadside oddities, strange folklore, and testing your own perception, absolutely. Just remember you're visiting public roads, not tourist attractions.

Gravity hills, also known as magnetic hills, mystery hills, or spook hills, exist all over the United States and have fascinated people for decades with their apparent ability to bypass the laws of physics. When a car appears to roll backward uphill, it's hard not to wonder what on Earth is going on.

But are gravity hills really that mysterious? Are they places where gravity behaves differently? Or is there a perfectly rational explanation?

Just an Optical Illusion?

Many moons ago, when this website had a discussion forum, I saved this great explanation that one of our members posted:

"There are lots of gravity hills around the world. They are actually optical illusions where the lay of the land appears to be uphill. You can take a laser level with you and you will find it's actually slightly downhill. It's a lot like the mystery spots that are built at angles, such as the Mystery Spot in St. Ignace. They convince your mind that you're defying gravity. They are still fun and require a lot of thought when built. The mind is only following what has been programmed into it. While humans also have a sense of balance to determine the inclination of the ground, visual cues can override this sense, especially if the inclination is shallow."

And there you have it.

Of course, a spookier explanation would be much cooler. Oh well. Doesn't the fact that a natural optical illusion can fool our brains prove that the planet is still a pretty amazing—and occasionally freaky—place?

Visiting the Mystery Spot

 

The Mystery Spot in St. Ignace, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, claims to be one of these mysterious gravity spots.

Back in the early 2000s, we were traveling through the Upper Peninsula and, after passing what felt like an endless stream of billboards urging us to "Visit the Mystery Spot!", we finally gave in. We bought our tickets, sat down, and waited for our tour number to be called.

While we waited, an elderly gentleman struck up a conversation and insisted we also visit the nearby "largest cross in the woods." Maybe it was my shirt featuring some heavy metal band that made him think I could use a little Jesus in my life. We smiled, nodded politely, and were relieved when our tour number was finally called.

Our guide led us to a small shack built at a strange angle on the side of a hill. I was genuinely excited. I thought I was about to witness one of the world's great mysteries.

Inside, everything seemed to defy the normal laws of physics. Water appeared to flow uphill. People stood at impossible angles. Everyone oohed and aahed as if gravity had simply decided to take the afternoon off.

The tour, however, was short, overpriced, and ended with opportunities to spend even more money on additional attractions that were only mildly interesting. The tilted cabin itself made me slightly nauseous from all the strange angles, and I was glad when we stepped back outside.

We couldn't quite figure out how the illusion worked, but we also decided it wasn't worth thinking too hard about.

Years later, when I finally learned the entire attraction was based on optical illusions, I felt a little foolish for never questioning it. Like most visitors, I had simply assumed there really was something different about the Earth at this mysterious spot.

Finding Gravity Hills in Michigan

• Putney Road – Benzie County

Even the Manistee County tourism website encourages visitors to experience the gravity hill on Putney Road, referring to it as the road's "special section."

According to the website (back in 2005) -

"Putney Road crosses Joyfield Road between US-31 and M-22. Travel south from Joyfield Road and stop approximately 150 to 200 feet beyond the 'Stop Ahead' sign on the east side of the road. Put your car in neutral and you will roll all the way back up the hill toward Blaine Christian Church."

They even suggest trying the experience with a bicycle or skateboard.

Local legend says it's actually Blaine Christian Church pulling "sinners" uphill toward redemption.

• Oakwood Cemetery – Farmington

A gravity hill inside a cemetery? How awesome is that?

If you place your car in neutral at the bottom of the western hill, your vehicle will appear to roll backward uphill and out through the cemetery gate.

Now that's a fitting setting for a good ghost story.

• Rose City

To find it, head east on M-33 through Rose City, then turn left onto Reasner Road. Continue north for several miles until you cross Heath Road. Reasner Road eventually ends at a curve that becomes Decker Road near the top of the gravity hill. Put your car in neutral and watch it seemingly roll uphill backward.

Bring a friend along for this one. Since it's located on a hilly dirt road, it's smart to have someone acting as a lookout for approaching traffic.

• Calumet – Tamarack Water Works Road?

Does this gravity hill actually exist? I've found references to Tamarack Water Works Road over the years, but very little reliable information.

 

Gravity hills may not rewrite the laws of physics, but they do remind us that our senses aren't always as reliable as we think. Whether they're caused by clever optical illusions or simply the unique shape of the landscape, these strange roads have inspired local legends and puzzled curious travelers for generations. Personally, I think that's part of the fun. Even when you know the scientific explanation, it's still a little unsettling to watch your car appear to roll uphill. If you've visited any of these locations or know of another gravity hill in Michigan, send me a message. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Idiot Disclaimer

If you decide to try one of Michigan's gravity hills, remember that you're on a public road—not a tourist attraction. Don't block traffic. Pay attention to other drivers. Use common sense, and if possible, bring someone with you to watch for approaching vehicles while you're busy trying to defy gravity.

Sources and Further Reading

• Godfrey, Linda S. Weird Michigan: Your Travel Guide to Michigan's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2006.
• Sonnenberg, Mike. “The Michigan Triangle and Mystery Hill.” Lost In Michigan. June 2, 2018. https://lostinmichigan.net/rolling-gravity-hill-putney-road-2/
• Thumbwind Publications. “Gravity Hill in West Michigan: A Roadside Mystery That Defies Perception.” Michigan News & History (Medium), August 13, 2025. https://medium.com/michigan-news/gravity-hill-in-west-michigan-a-roadside-mystery-that-defies-perception-a3091dee404d