Garfield Trail, Indiana: Finding 14 Garfield Statues and Exploring Grant County

Sometimes the best way to explore an area is to turn it into a scavenger hunt. That’s exactly what Lisa and I did when we discovered the Garfield Trail in Grant County, Indiana.

If you’ve followed our travels for a while, you probably know we love these kinds of adventures. We’ve explored the Loveland Heart Sculpture Trail in Colorado, the Florence Charm Trail in Oregon, the South Padre Island Sand Castle Trail in Texas, the Lighthouses of Lake Havasu in Arizona, and the Cheyenne Big Boot Trail in Wyoming.

There’s just something fun about driving around looking for unusual sculptures, artwork, and landmarks.

But for us, these trails are about more than checking items off a list.

They’re a great excuse to explore small towns, discover interesting historical sites, find locally owned restaurants, and visit places we might otherwise drive right past.

The Garfield Trail turned out to be a perfect example.

Over two afternoons in October 2026, we traveled through communities throughout Grant County searching for 14 Garfield statues. Along the way, we discovered a historic covered bridge, enjoyed some excellent local food, and found several places we’d like to come back and explore.

We managed to find 13 of the 14 Garfield statues, with the final statue temporarily away for repairs during our visit.

Here’s what we discovered, where you can find each statue, and everything you need to plan your own Garfield Trail adventure.

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What Is the Garfield Trail in Indiana?

The Garfield Trail is a collection of 14 colorful, larger-than-life Garfield statues scattered throughout Grant County in east-central Indiana.

The trail celebrates Jim Davis, creator of the famous Garfield comic strip, who grew up in the Fairmount area.

Each fiberglass statue stands approximately five feet tall and features Garfield dressed or posed in a way that reflects its location or a piece of the community’s history.

You’ll find Garfield dressed as a firefighter, a doctor, a British Royal Guard, a basketball player, and more.

Unlike sculpture trails contained within a downtown district, the Garfield Trail covers a fairly large geographical area.

The statues are spread throughout Matthews, Fairmount, Jonesboro, Gas City, Marion, Swayzee, Sweetser, Van Buren, and Upland.

That was one of the things we enjoyed most.

Instead of simply walking from statue to statue, we got to drive through small Indiana towns, explore the countryside, and see parts of Grant County we might never have visited otherwise.

The trail is free to explore, although individual statues inside buildings or gardens may have restricted access.

You can find more information through the Grant County Visitors Bureau’s official Garfield Trail website.

Our Two-Day Garfield Trail Adventure

We were staying at Big Oak Campground near Muncie, Indiana, while working in the area. Our schedule gave us several hours of free time in the afternoons before heading to work.

Rather than trying to squeeze all 14 statues into a single afternoon, we decided to split the Garfield Trail into two outings.

We planned our route to see as many statues as possible without doing a lot of unnecessary backtracking.

Of course, we also left ourselves some flexibility for interesting discoveries along the way.

And we’re glad we did!

Day One: Garfield, a Covered Bridge, and British Fish & Chips

Our first Garfield stop was in Matthews, Indiana, where we found Gone Fishin’ Garfield standing outside Town Hall.

Of all the statues we would eventually see, this one turned out to be my favorite.

With our love of outdoor activities, fishing, and spending time on the water, it seemed like a particularly fitting way to start the adventure.

But before we even made it to our first Garfield, something else caught our attention.

An Unexpected Detour to Cumberland Covered Bridge

While driving toward Matthews, we spotted a road sign pointing toward Cumberland Covered Bridge.

Now, we’re always interested in historic covered bridges, so we decided to backtrack a little and check it out.

What a great decision!

Cumberland Covered Bridge spans the Mississinewa River near Matthews and is the last remaining covered bridge in Grant County.

Originally built in 1877, the 181-foot timber bridge has survived quite a history, including being swept from its supports during the devastating flood of 1913. It was subsequently recovered and restored.

The bridge underwent another restoration in 1999.

Best of all, we were able to drive our two-door Ford Bronco across the historic bridge!

Naturally, we had to spend some time taking photographs, including pictures of the Bronco driving through the bridge.

This was exactly the type of unexpected discovery we love making during our travels.

We hadn’t planned to visit Cumberland Covered Bridge, but spotting that little roadside sign turned it into one of the highlights of our afternoon.

Back on the Garfield Trail

After exploring the bridge, we returned to our Garfield hunt.

Our next stop was Fairmount to see Cool Cat Garfield, which we called James Dean Garfield because of his unmistakable connection to the famous actor.

Fairmount is closely associated with both James Dean and Garfield creator Jim Davis, making it an especially interesting town to explore.

We continued to Jonesboro for Firefighter Garfield, then headed to Gas City to find Glass Blower Garfield.

The Glass Blower statue is a nod to the region’s glassmaking history, which developed during Indiana’s natural gas boom.

We then made our way to British Garfield, standing outside Payne’s Restaurant.

And that’s where we decided to stop for lunch.

Lunch at Payne’s Restaurant in Gas City

Payne’s Restaurant turned out to be one of our favorite discoveries of the entire Garfield Trail.

Located just off Interstate 69 in Gas City, Payne’s serves British-inspired comfort food, which explains the Royal Guard-themed Garfield standing outside.

I ordered the fish and chips, which were excellent.

We also tried their tomato soup, which was equally impressive, while Lisa ordered the grilled cheese. Her sandwich was every bit as good as everything else we tried.

It turned out to be a wonderful lunch, and we’d definitely recommend Payne’s to anyone traveling through the area.

Not only did we find another Garfield statue, but we discovered a restaurant worth returning to.

Payne’s Restaurant
4925 S Kay Bee Drive, Gas City, Indiana

Our Last Garfield of the Day

After lunch, we headed into Marion and visited Bookworm Garfield at the Marion Public Library.

Most of our trail photos feature the statues themselves, but we did get a picture with Bookworm Garfield.

By then, we were running out of free time and needed to head to work.

We finished our first afternoon with six Garfield statues, one historic covered bridge, and an excellent lunch.

Not a bad afternoon at all!

Day Two: Seven More Garfields, a Classic Drive-In, and Ice Cream

A couple of days later, we returned to Grant County to find the remaining eight statues.

Our route took us through Swayzee, Sweetser, Marion, Van Buren, and Upland.

Speedking Garfield and the Only Swayzee in the World

Our first stop of the second day was Swayzee, Indiana, a little town with a couple of pretty interesting claims to fame.

For starters, Swayzee proudly calls itself “The Only Swayzee in the World!” You’ll even see that claim displayed on the town’s welcome sign.

But perhaps its most remarkable claim to fame involves high school basketball.

On March 7, 1964, the Swayzee Speedkings faced Liberty Center in the Marion Regional basketball tournament. What followed was an incredible game that lasted nine overtimes!

After 59 minutes of basketball, the Speedkings finally emerged victorious with a score of 65–61.

The game set an Indiana high school basketball record for the most overtime periods in a single game, a record that still stands today.

That’s where Speedking Garfield comes in.

Located outside Swayzee Elementary School, Garfield is dressed as a basketball player, honoring the town’s legendary Speedkings and their place in Indiana basketball history.

It’s amazing how a little Garfield statue can introduce you to such an interesting piece of local history.

And that’s one of the reasons Lisa and I enjoy exploring these trails so much. Without the Garfield Trail, we probably never would have visited Swayzee or learned about its remarkable basketball story.

Then we traveled to Sweetser to find College Bound Garfield, located near the Sweetser Switch Trail and Depot.

The Sweetser area is particularly interesting because of the historic railroad equipment near the trail, including a wooden caboose and restored railcars.

We continued into Marion to search for several more Garfield statues.

One stop gave us a little trouble.

The Missing Paws for Thought Garfield

We headed to the Garfield Garden behind the Community Foundation of Grant County to find Paws for Thought.

Unfortunately, Garfield wasn’t there!

We eventually learned that the statue was away for repairs.

That was disappointing because we really wanted to find all 14, but there wasn’t much we could do about it.

During our visit on October 22, 2026, Paws for Thought was unavailable. That doesn’t mean it will still be missing when you visit.

Finding Garfield in Matter Park

Another interesting stop was Fit for Life Garfield at the Gardens of Matter Park.

Unlike some of the statues positioned right alongside a road or sidewalk, this one required us to explore the garden area to locate him.

We found our way to the Gardens of Matter Park, where the landscaped grounds made the stop worthwhile beyond just finding Garfield.

If you enjoy gardens, photography, or taking a relaxing walk, Matter Park is worth spending some additional time exploring.

We also found Dr. Garfield outside Marion General Hospital and Duffer Garfield at Arbor Trace Golf Club.

After finishing our Marion-area stops, we traveled to Van Buren for Worldly Cat Garfield.

That left us with one final statue.

And what better way to finish the Garfield Trail than with ice cream?

Our Final Garfield: Scream for Ice Cream at Ivanhoe’s

Our final stop was Scream for Ice Cream Garfield outside Ivanhoe’s Drive-In in Upland, Indiana.

Ivanhoe’s is a local favorite known for its enormous selection of milkshakes and sundaes.

After photographing Garfield, we headed inside for a well-deserved treat.

I ordered a peppermint fudge sundae, while Lisa chose a Heath Pecan Cluster milkshake.

Both were fantastic!

We couldn’t have picked a better way to finish our second day on the trail.

By the time we were done, we’d visited every Garfield location on our list and photographed all 13 statues that were available.

The only one missing was Paws for Thought, which was away for repairs.

All 14 Garfield Trail Statues and Their Locations

If you’re planning your own Garfield Trail adventure, here are the official locations of all 14 statues.

We’ve also included notes about access and what to look for at each stop.

Our Favorite Garfield Statues

Although each statue was fun to find, a few stood out to us.

Gone Fishin’ Garfield — Matthews

This was my personal favorite, and it was also our first stop. It seemed especially fitting for our love of outdoor adventures.

Cool Cat Garfield — Fairmount

The James Dean connection made this statue particularly interesting. It also introduced us to more places we want to return to in Fairmount.

British Garfield — Gas City

Not only is this statue an amusing tribute to British culture, but it’s standing right outside Payne’s Restaurant, one of our favorite stops on the trail.

Bookworm Garfield — Marion

This one gets a special mention because we took one of our few pictures with Garfield here.

Scream for Ice Cream Garfield — Upland

We couldn’t have asked for a better final stop. A Garfield statue followed by a delicious sundae and milkshake? That’s a pretty good way to finish an adventure.

Our Interactive Garfield Trail Map

One of the challenges with the Garfield Trail is that the statues are spread across a large area.

Rather than having visitors navigate between a bunch of individual addresses, we created an interactive map showing all 14 Garfield locations.

We also included the campground where we started, Cumberland Covered Bridge, and the three restaurants we visited along the way.

You can zoom in, click individual markers, and use the map to help plan your own route.

Open our Garfield Trail map in Google Maps

We recommend using the map to plan stops around your starting location and the time you have available.

For the official printable trail guide, visit the Grant County Visitors Bureau.

Where to Eat Along the Garfield Trail

One of our favorite parts of exploring small-town America is discovering independent restaurants.

We always try to find places that are a little different from the chains you see everywhere.

On our Garfield Trail adventure, we visited three restaurants, each offering a completely different experience.

Payne’s Restaurant — Gas City
4925 S Kay Bee Drive, Gas City, IN 46933

Payne’s was our favorite overall dining experience during the Garfield Trail.

Their British-inspired menu includes fish and chips, soups, sandwiches, and other comfort foods.

Our fish and chips, tomato soup, and grilled cheese were all excellent.

Plus, British Garfield is standing right outside the restaurant, making it an especially convenient stop.

If you’re looking for a memorable lunch or dinner while exploring Grant County, Payne’s would be our first recommendation.

Myers Drive-In — Marion
938 S Washington Street, Marion, IN 46953

Myers Drive-In is an old-fashioned local restaurant that’s been serving the Marion community for many years.

The building isn’t much to look at, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the food.

I ordered a burger and tater tots, and both were pretty good.

Sometimes you don’t need a fancy atmosphere or elaborate menu. A good burger from a little hometown drive-in hits the spot.

If you enjoy classic roadside restaurants, Myers is worth considering while exploring the Marion statues.

Ivanhoe’s Drive-In — Upland
979 S Main Street, Upland, IN 46989

Ivanhoe’s is practically a destination by itself.

The restaurant is famous for offering more than 100 varieties of milkshakes and 100 different sundaes.

With that many choices, deciding what to order might be harder than finding Garfield!

I went with the peppermint fudge sundae, while Lisa ordered the Heath Pecan Cluster milkshake.

We loved both.

Since Scream for Ice Cream Garfield stands right outside, Ivanhoe’s is the perfect place to celebrate finishing the trail.

If you’re an ice cream lover, don’t skip this stop.

Other Interesting Places to Visit Along the Garfield Trail

This is where the Garfield Trail really shines.

Because the statues are scattered throughout Grant County, the trail introduces visitors to small towns and attractions they might never discover otherwise.

We found some places unexpectedly and added several others to our list for a future visit.

Cumberland Covered Bridge — Matthews

Our favorite unexpected discovery was Cumberland Covered Bridge.

Located near Matthews, the historic bridge dates to 1877 and crosses the Mississinewa River.

We spotted a sign while driving toward our first Garfield statue and decided to investigate.

Being able to drive our Bronco across the bridge and photograph it inside made the detour especially memorable.

If you enjoy covered bridges, historic structures, or photography, this is a stop we’d highly recommend.

James Dean Museum and James Dean Gallery — Fairmount

Fairmount is famous for its connections to two notable figures: actor James Dean and Garfield creator Jim Davis.

Although we stopped in Fairmount for Cool Cat Garfield, we didn’t have enough time to explore the town’s James Dean attractions.

Two places we’d like to return to are the James Dean Museum at the Fairmount Historical Museum and the James Dean Gallery.

Both celebrate the actor’s life and connection to the community through photographs, memorabilia, and exhibits.

Fairmount also has a separate James Dean landmarks trail that would make another interesting outing.

You could easily combine a visit to these attractions with the Garfield Trail if you have additional time.

History Made Here Museum — Marion

Located at the Marion Public Library complex, the History Made Here Museum explores the history of Marion and Grant County.

Exhibits cover the area’s natural gas boom, manufacturing history, and the industries that helped shape the region.

One particularly interesting connection is that Crosley automobiles were manufactured in Marion.

We visited Bookworm Garfield at the library, but we didn’t have enough time to explore the museum.

It’s another place we’d like to come back and visit.

Gardens of Matter Park — Marion

The Gardens of Matter Park are home to Fit for Life Garfield.

Rather than simply stopping for a photograph, consider spending some time wandering through the landscaped gardens.

The grounds include attractive plantings, paths, and spaces for enjoying nature.

It’s a particularly nice stop if you enjoy garden photography or want a break from driving between statues.

Sweetser Switch Trail and Depot — Sweetser

College Bound Garfield stands near the Sweetser Switch Trail and Depot.

The area includes historic railroad equipment, including a 1916 wooden caboose and restored railcars.

The trail itself provides opportunities for walking and cycling.

For anyone interested in railroad history or small-town attractions, it’s worth spending a little extra time here.

More Things to Do Around Muncie, Indiana

Although the Garfield Trail is in Grant County, nearby Muncie and the surrounding communities offer plenty of additional attractions.

We’ve already explored several places in the area that we’d highly recommend.

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens

One of our favorite attractions in Muncie is Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.

We originally visited because we wanted to see the Bob Ross Experience, but quickly discovered there was much more to explore.

Minnetrista features historic Ball family homes, beautiful gardens, interesting exhibits, and the building where Bob Ross filmed The Joy of Painting.

We enjoyed the experience enough that we returned for a second visit to spend more time exploring the property.

You can read all about it in our article:

Visiting Minnetrista Museum & Gardens: Bob Ross, Ball Family History & More

Cammack Station

Another favorite place in the Muncie area is Cammack Station.

This historic roadside restaurant is filled with vintage gas pumps, antiques, photographs, and memorabilia.

We love the nostalgic atmosphere, but what makes the place especially memorable for us is the people.

Over time, the wonderful folks at Cammack Station have made us feel like family.

It’s exactly the type of unique, locally owned restaurant we enjoy discovering during our travels.

If you love historic roadside stops, old gas station memorabilia, and small-town charm, be sure to check it out.

Read about our experience:

Cammack Station: A Nostalgic Roadside Restaurant

Tips for Planning Your Own Garfield Trail Adventure

After spending two afternoons exploring the trail, here are a few recommendations that should help you make the most of your visit.

Allow Enough Time

The statues aren’t all located within walking distance of one another.

You’ll be traveling between multiple towns, and the total driving time can add up.

You could visit the outdoor statues fairly quickly if you wanted to, but we recommend allowing at least a full day, or splitting the trail into two outings as we did.

That gives you time for photographs, meals, and unexpected discoveries.

Check Garfield Statue Availability Before Visiting

One thing we learned during our adventure is that not every Garfield statue may be available when you visit.

When we arrived at Paws for Thought in Marion, the statue was missing because it had been removed for repairs.

The official Garfield Trail information recommends calling 765-997-7034 for an audio tour or texting STATUS to the same number for maintenance updates.

Unfortunately, when we visited in October 2026, we tried both methods without success. The phone service wasn’t working, and we never received a response to our text message.

We recommend contacting the Grant County Visitors Bureau directly before your visit to ask whether any statues are temporarily unavailable.

Even though we couldn’t photograph Paws for Thought, we still had a great time exploring all 14 locations and discovering the surrounding communities.

Marion–Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau

If you’re planning to complete the Garfield Trail, we recommend contacting the Marion–Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau before your visit to confirm whether all 14 statues are currently on display.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 765-668-5435
• Email: information@showmegrantcounty.com
• Website: Official Garfield Trail Information

The Visitors Bureau can also help you find additional attractions, restaurants, and interesting places to explore throughout Grant County.

Be Aware of Indoor and Gated Locations

Most Garfield statues are outdoors and can be photographed without any special arrangements.

However, several require additional planning.

• Bookworm Garfield: Located inside Marion Public Library.
• Paws for Thought: Normally located behind the Community Foundation of Grant County. Staff assistance may be required to access the garden.
• Duffer Garfield: Located inside the Arbor Trace Golf Club clubhouse.
• Fit for Life Garfield: Located within the Gardens of Matter Park, requiring a short walk into the garden area.

We recommend checking the opening hours of these locations before planning your route.

Use an Interactive Map

Having all the statues marked on a map makes planning much easier.

Our Google My Maps project includes the official statue locations along with several restaurants and attractions from our own adventure.

You can also download the official brochure from the Grant County Visitors Bureau.

Bring Your Camera

Each Garfield statue is different, and they’re all fun subjects for photographs.

We took pictures of the statues themselves rather than posing with every one, although we did get a picture with Bookworm Garfield.

Don’t forget to photograph the interesting places you discover between stops, too.

Some of our favorite photos from the entire adventure came from Cumberland Covered Bridge, which wasn’t even part of our original itinerary!

Leave Time for Unplanned Stops

This might be our most important recommendation.

Don’t make your itinerary so rigid that you can’t stop when something interesting catches your attention.

Had we ignored that little sign for Cumberland Covered Bridge, we would have missed one of the highlights of the trip.

Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re not expecting them.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Garfield Trail

Other Fun Trails We’ve Explored Across America

The Garfield Trail is just one of several scavenger-hunt-style adventures Lisa and I have enjoyed during our travels.

If searching for unusual sculptures, public art, and roadside attractions sounds like fun, check out some of our other experiences:

• Loveland Colorado’s Heart Sculpture Trail — Hunting for colorful heart sculptures around Loveland, Colorado.
• Florence Charm Trail — Exploring Florence, Oregon, while collecting charms from participating businesses.
• South Padre Island Sand Castle Trail — Finding incredible sand sculptures throughout South Padre Island, Texas.
• Lighthouses of Lake Havasu — Searching for replica lighthouses around Lake Havasu in Arizona.
• Cheyenne Big Boot Trail — Discovering colorful cowboy boot sculptures throughout Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Each trail has its own personality, but they all have one thing in common.

They encourage you to get out, explore, and discover something new.

Final Thoughts: Is the Garfield Trail Worth Visiting?

Absolutely!

We had a great time exploring the Garfield Trail in Grant County, Indiana.

The statues themselves were fun to find and photograph, but what made the adventure especially memorable was everything we discovered along the way.

We drove the Bronco across a historic covered bridge, enjoyed wonderful British food at Payne’s, grabbed a good burger at Myers Drive-In, and finished the trail with delicious ice cream treats at Ivanhoe’s.

We also discovered several museums, historical attractions, and small towns we’d like to return to when we have more time.

Although we only managed to photograph 13 of the 14 Garfield statues because one was away for repairs, we still visited every location on the trail.

And if you ask me which statue was my favorite, there’s no question.

Gone Fishin’ Garfield in Matthews gets my vote.

These are the kinds of experiences we love most about traveling around America.

You don’t always need a famous national park or a major tourist attraction to have a memorable adventure.

Sometimes all you need is a map, a vehicle, a little curiosity, and a willingness to turn around when you spot an interesting sign.

You never know what you’ll discover along the way.

Have you explored the Garfield Trail or another fun sculpture trail somewhere in America? We’d love to hear about it! Leave us a comment below and tell us about your favorite roadside discoveries.