The Garfield Trail: Indiana’s Quirkiest Road Trip Adventure

The Garfield Trail: Indiana’s Quirkiest Road Trip Adventure

Taylor HuffWriter

May 6, 2026Updated May 17, 20263 min read

If you’re looking for a fun and slightly quirky Indiana road trip, the Garfield Trail might be one of the state’s most unique hidden gems. Scattered across small towns in east-central Indiana are 14 larger-than-life statues of everyone’s favorite lasagna-loving comic strip cat: Garfield.

Celebrating Hoosier Jim Davis

The trail celebrates Jim Davis, the creator of the Garfield comic strip, who was born in Marion and raised on a farm near Fairmount. To honor Davis and his famous feline character, communities throughout Grant County installed colorful fiberglass Garfield statues, each with its own theme and personality. Each statue stands about five feet tall and features Garfield dressed for a different role, everything from a doctor to a firefighter. Some statues reflect the local history or landmarks of the towns where they’re located, making the trail both a fun scavenger hunt and a small lesson in local culture. 

The best part? The trail is completely free and perfect for families, road-trippers, and anyone who enjoys offbeat attractions. Grab a camera, hop in the car, and see how many Garfields you can find in a day.

Where to Find the Garfield Statues

There are 14 Garfield statues spread across several Grant County towns. Here’s where to spot them:

Marion:

  • Paws for Thought

  • Bookworm Garfield

  • Dr. Garfield

  • Fit for Life Garfield

  • Duffer Garfield

Swayzee:

  • Speedking Garfield

Sweetser:

  • College Bound Garfield

Van Buren:

  • Worldly Cat

Matthews:

  • Gone Fishin’ Garfield

Fairmount:

  • Cool Cat

Jonesboro:

  • Firefighter Garfield

Gas City:

  • Gas Blower Garfield

  • British Garfield

Upland:

  • Scream for Ice Cream Garfield

A Perfect Small-Town Adventure

One of the things that makes the Garfield Trail special is how it encourages visitors to explore small Indiana towns they might otherwise drive past. Along the way, you’ll discover local parks, libraries, and downtown districts where the statues are displayed.

Many travelers turn the trail into a day-long road trip, stopping for photos with each Garfield and enjoying local attractions along the way. It’s a lighthearted adventure that blends pop culture, art, and Hoosier pride.

If you’re a fan of the famous comic strip or simply enjoy discovering unique roadside attractions, the Garfield Trail is a hidden Indiana gem worth adding to your travel list.

Taylor Huff

Taylor Huff

Born and raised in Indiana’s 574, Taylor is a business owner, farm wife, and mom who brings local heart to Get IN by giving you insider tips on the state’s hidden gems.

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