Abandoned Deer Forest a Few Years Later (Updated 2024): Coloma

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Overgrowth has mostly taken over. Gnarled bushes, trees, weeds, and vines have made Deer Forest even more deteriorated than it was just a few years ago. Around 2022 I put together an article that included a gallery of photos depicting the state of the abandoned Deer Forest and Story Book Lane in the Berrien County town of Coloma. Looking at those photos compared to these new ones you can see in that short time, the park has decayed even more.

This park opened in 1949 and lasted through several owners. Deer Forest was well-loved and is well-remembered, but there were always problems: attendance, funding, support from the local community, and regulators. Without customers, there's no cash for maintenance. As hard as they tried – with fund-raising events and plans – not enough money was raised to continue.

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Deer Forest and Story Book Lane permanently closed in 2015.

You'll find it northeast of Coloma – a former 32-acre family amusement park and zoo that has retained a cult status with those who visited as children. Fond memories of train rides thru the forest, miniature golf, feeding the animals, petting area, Ferris wheel, other rides, gift shops, playground, Story Book Lane, western street & stores, sculptures.....and some little storybook houses where you could hear your favorite childhood stories.

Take a look at the gallery below and see how Deer Forest looks in 2024, then hit the link HERE to see how it appeared just two short years earlier.