National Parks In Michigan Not To Miss

Are you looking to explore the best National Parks in Michigan? Then this list is for you!

All of these amazing National Parks in Michigan offer unique experiences, and you’ll want to take the time to visit each.

You can explore hiking, watersports, battlefield history, and even abandoned copper mines.

With so much diversity in Michigan National Parks, there is guaranteed to be a park that interests you.

So, let’s take a look at the National Parks in Michigan not to miss.

National Parks in Michigan You Won’t Want To Miss

Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park is an isolated island in Lake Superior, off the coast of mainland Michigan.

Outdoor adventurers will find plenty to do at this secluded Michigan National Park.

It is one of the coolest parks in the Midwest.

There are opportunities for hiking, watersports, biking, and camping.

To get there, you’ll need to take a ferry, a private boat, or even a seaplane.

Once there, you can of course explore the outdoor activities on your own, but there are other things to do as well.

Join a park ranger for a guided hike, or observe ranger-led education programs, or take a guided tour around the island.

Isle Royale is perfect for backpacking trips around the whole island.

There are plenty of trails perfect for simple day hikes leading to Michigan Beaches.

There are many options for day hikers, but for longer backpacking trips, a camping permit is required.

No matter what you decide to do, Isle Royale is an excellent U.P. National Park.

National Parks in Michigan: Motor Cities National Heritage Area

Motor Cities is a National Heritage Area that includes a large portion of Southern Michigan.

It is home to over 100 historic buildings, landmarks, and museums, all of which tell the story of America’s automotive history.

Many of the locations are in or around Detroit, which was once the capital of America’s automotive industry.

You can visit many original factories of some of the most famous automotive companies in American history.

There are also beautiful parks, restaurants, and museums, all of which played some role in the American automotive industry.

The MotorCities National Heritage Area would also make for an awesome road trip through Michigan.

With over 100 different stops to choose from, you can road trip for as long as you want.

Some might even consider this a historically romantic road trip!

North Country National Scenic Trail

The North Country National Scenic Trail isn’t just in Michigan.

It spans 8 states: Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

You can pick up the trail in any of those states and find a different experience.

In Michigan, the trail crosses almost the entire Upper Peninsula, from east to west in the state for almost 550 miles.

You’ll hike along Lake Superior, through rugged wilderness, beautiful woodlands, and come face to face with rushing waterfalls

Part of the trail even includes the Mackinac Bridge, which you can only walk across one day a year.

The official North Country Trail Association even puts out a challenge every year.

If you hike 100 miles of the trail, in any state, and at any pace, you are eligible for a special commemorative patch.

You can participate by hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, or any other activity where you are physically crossing 100 miles of the trail.

It’s a super fun and unique way to experience the beauty of the trail.

National Parks in Michigan: Essentials Packing List

Here are my tips on how to pack lightly. using a carry-on when traveling. And WHY it is almost a necessity!

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves are another solution.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.

Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.

It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle. 

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.

These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful at pools or spas you happen to visit along the way.

These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential.

For women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.

Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.

This wet-dry bag with handles is a good option.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.

If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.

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National Parks in Michigan: Pictured Rocks Lakeshore

If you are looking for an epic Midwest getaway, then consider exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Pictured Rocks Lakeshore has a unique history. It is not just a beautiful lakeshore, untouched by humans.

Lakeshore has a deep maritime history, which includes one of the coolest lighthouses in Michigan.

The Lakeshore also has a history of logging, iron mining, and plenty of shipwrecks.

The Au Sable Lighthouse and Station were built to help sailors navigate the rocky shore and lessen the number of shipwrecks in the area.

Now, visitors to the national park can tour the iconic lighthouse.

At Pictured Rocks, you can also enjoy hiking, biking, and watersports.

The rangers at the park even offer guided hikes and kayaking trips.

There is an endless amount of things to do in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, one of the best Michigan National Parks.

River Raisin National Battlefield

River Raisin National Battlefield Park aims to preserve the history of the battles that took place in the area in January 1813.

The battlefield was used during the War of 1812 and marked a decisive victory for Tecumseh’s American Indian confederation.

It also marked the greatest defeat for the US during the War of 1812.

The rally cry of ‘Remember the Raisin’ spurred support for the War and was seen as instrumental in encouraging US soldiers.

There is a park visitor center with detailed information about the battle and the history and cultures of the area.

Before it was given to the British, the area was a place for Native American tribes and French colonists.

There is also a Heritage Trail, and you can enjoy traditional watersports on the river as well.

It is a beautifully maintained Michigan National Park and is perfect for a day spent outside.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Lakeshore in Michigan.

With miles of sandy beaches, dense and lush forests, crystal clear inland lakes,

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a beautiful National Park in Michigan steeped in maritime history.

On the park grounds, you can explore a lighthouse, a US Life-Saving Station, quaint coastal villages, and even farmsteads.

At the park’s visitor center, you’ll be able to learn a lot about the area.

From its original Anishinaabek Nation dwellers to its more modern history.

The name Sleeping Bear Dunes even comes from an Anishinaabek legend.

The park takes great care in telling the story of the land’s original peoples.

The area eventually became a bustling commercial shipping hub for ships crossing the Great Lakes.

Keweenaw National Historic Park

Keweenaw National Historical Park may be the most unique National Park in Michigan on this list.

It is located near some unique Michigan small towns!

Experience national park staples like outdoor activities, but that isn’t necessarily what Keweenaw is known for.

For over 7,000 years, the people who have lived in Keweenaw have been mining copper.

Native Americans would mine the copper to make tools and weapons.

In the 1800s, European investors and immigrants arrived in the area and saw potential in the mines.

Taking over the copper mines, the European settlers created thriving industries and communities around the mines.

Mining stopped in the 1900s, but remains an integral part of the area’s history.

There is a visitor center that has several informative displays.

From short video presentations to picture timelines of the area, there are even presentations that are made for kids.

Explore the park’s shop, which features items about the history of the area.

The best part about the park is getting to explore the abandoned mines and mining facilities.

National Parks in Michigan: Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island became the country’s second National Park, shortly after Yellowstone, in 1875.

Locals began the painstaking steps to preserve the history of the island.

Thanks to their tireless efforts, the entire island is now listed as a National Historic Landmark.

The island itself has become a major tourist area.

The only way to get to the island is by boat; no cars are permitted on the island.

Visitors must get around either on foot, on bikes, or by horse-drawn carriage.

On the island, you’ll find historic sites and landmarks, including Fort Mackinac,

historic residences, an 1814 battlefield, and even a beach where the British landed.

There are also over 70 miles of roads and trails that you can explore.

Some are in the Historic Downtown District, while others take you through more wooded areas of the island.