National Parks In Michigan

Enjoy every bit of Michigan by exploring everything from epic landscapes to historical sites. Plan a trip to the national and affiliate sites in Michigan to step back in time. Cherish the beauty of the 200-feet (61 m) high glowing cliffs, climb over the towering dunes, and recall the copper booming days of the past. Get to know how America settled and grew as a nation from these national parks and historic sites.

National Parks in Michigan Map

The National Parks in Michigan Map highlights the major historic sites of the state. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Father Marquette National Memorial, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Wildlife, waterfalls, coniferous forests, beaches, sand dunes, and inland lakes are the prime attractions of this national Lakeshore.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is situated on the Lower Peninsula of Lake Michigan and is adorned with birch-lined streams, beech-maple forest, 460 ft high rugged bluffs, and two islands. Keweenaw National Historical Park is known to preserve the rich history of copper mining and houses the Seaman Mineral museum, Keweenaw County Historical Museum, Delaware Copper mine, and Fort Wilkins State Park.

The Michigan State Map provides detailed information about the national parks of the place.

How many National Parks are in Michigan?

There are 5 national, historical, and battlefield parks and lakeshores. Besides, there are 2 affiliated sites too.

Best National Parks in Michigan

1. Isle Royale National Park (Houghton, MI)

   Isle Royale is a rugged, isolated island that is spread across 207-acres. Located in the northwest section of Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park offers its visitors a well-cherished experience, far from the sights and sounds of civilization. It is the only designated national park in Wolverine State.

   Whether you are a scuba diving aficionado, canoeist, kayaker, boating enthusiast, hiker, or backer, this place provides you unparalleled solitude and adventure. Reflect, discover, and make memories of a lifetime amid the stunning scenic beauty. Tickle the adventurer in you by exploring the shipwrecks in and around this very remote and desolate island.

   Do plan ahead as overnight stay requires permits. Just keep in mind that no ferries run to Isle Royale after October 31.

Best National Lakeshores in Michigan

1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Munising, Grand Marais, MI)

   Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers you everything that you crave during a vacation away from the hustle-bustle of mundane city life. You’ll find beaches, sandstone cliffs, deep forests, inland lakes, wild shorelines, waterfalls, and beaches. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is situated on the Upper Peninsula of northern Michigan. It is spread across 70,000 acres and located around 130 miles (209 km) west of Sault Ste. Marie.

   Every ecosystem in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is shaped by Lake Superior. It gives you the perfect opportunity to explore the unique landscape presented before you by this national lakeshore. This place offers visitors four-season outdoor opportunities, sightseeing, camping, kayaking, boat tours, hiking, and many more winter activities.

   If you want to see the natural wonders of the upper Midwest, Pictured Rocks are the place to be. The sandstone cliffs, produced by the angled edge of a layer of pre-Cambrian stone surrounded by sand, are a must-see. The different colored stains produced by the rocks containing different minerals gave this place the term “pictured” in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

   Whether it is the inland lakes or the Lake Superior shore, you can drive to many areas. Between Grand Marais and Munising, this national lakeshore is situated. You can also backpack through this park but you would need a permit for that. If possible, take a commercial boat tour from Munising. Formations such as Chapel Rock and Miner’s Castle are the most spectacular sections of the park.

2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Empire, MI)

   Sleeping Bear Dune is a nature lover’s paradise. The largest moving sand dune on earth is located here. This park stretches along 35 miles (56 km) of the Lake Michigan coast.

   It is located 450 feet (137 m) above Lake Michigan surrounded by miles of sand beach. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore consists of lush forests, unique flora and fauna, clear inland lakes, and many more. Get spectacular views across the lake from over the high dunes. Don’t forget to visit the island lighthouse, coastal villages, picturesque farmsteads, coastal villages, and US Life-Saving Service stations.

   The park is situated in northwestern lower Michigan, around 25 miles (40 km) to the west of Traverse City. It remains open all year round, offering you opportunities of exploring sand dunes, biking, camping, hiking, and many more. Skiing is popular during winter. North and South Manitou Islands are included with this 71,000-acre park.

Best National Historical Parks, Battlefield Parks & Heritage Area in Michigan

1. Keweenaw National Historical Park (Calumet, MI)

   If history thrills you, Keweenaw National Historical Park is the place for you to visit. Get a glimpse of the native communities who mined Keweenaw copper from 7,000 years ago to the 1900s.

   Native people used to extract copper and make tools from them and trade with others. However, in the 1800s, immigrants and investors started to flock here during the great mineral rush. They developed industries and it led to the formation of cosmopolitan communities here. The copper and mineral mines have closed now. But you can still see their marks on land and people. Get a guided tour of the now-closed, largest copper mines.

   Keweenaw National Historical Park is situated on the upper peninsula of northwestern Michigan. This place is located around 200 miles (61 km) east of Minnesota’s Duluth. You can visit the park anytime from mid-April to October.

2. River Raisin National Battlefield Park (MI)

   River Raisin National Battlefield Park is situated in southeastern Michigan, around 30 miles (48 km) south of Detroit. It preserves, commemorates, and interprets the 1812 War’s January 1813 battles and the following events in southeast Michigan’s Monroe and Wayne counties.

   The River Raisin National Battle was the greatest victory for Tecumseh’s American Indian confederation. This defeat of the US soldiers led to a rallying cry “Remember the Raisin” in October 1813. It spurred support for the US forces in the rest of the civil war.

   This national battlefield park remains open round the year. It offers you the opportunity of touring the National Park Service visitor center. One of the main highlights of River Raisin National Battlefield Park is the interpretive walking trails. Visiting River Raisin National Battlefield Park is special because it is the only park that is dedicated to the conflicts from the War of 1812. Remembering this lost battle is important because this defeat ultimately led the American troops to regroup and counterattack the confederate forces to take control of the region.

3. Motor Cities National Heritage Area (MI)

   MotorCities National Heritage Area, an affiliated site, preserves the cultural legacy of this nationally significant place. This heritage area showcases the rise of the automobile and labor industries. The visitors can visit museums, take factory tours, and self-guided driving tours, visit historic homes, gardens, libraries, archives, and cemeteries. Do visit some of the main sites such as Automotive Hall of Fame, Greenfield Village, Michigan Firehouse Museum, and Henry Ford Estate.

Best National Scenic Trail

1. North Country National Scenic Trail (Seven States-New York to North Dakota MI, MN, ND, NY, OH, PA, VT, WI)

   North Country National Scenic Trail gives you the opportunity to trek the hills and valleys. Enjoy the clear-flowing water, snow-filled landscape, the picturesque autumn surrounding in red and gold, open prairies, and many more.

   Get to see the best of the American backcountry from long hiking trails. This trail is 4600 miles (7,403 km) long and spans over 7 states. Michigan houses 1,200 miles (1,931 km) of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Some of the notable points of visit along this trail in Michigan include the spectacular Tahquamenon Falls, Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks, Mackinac Bridge, and Grand Rapids.