Surrounded by the magnificent Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is a treasure trove of wilderness tucked away in Michigan. This incredibly underrated national park offers all sorts of activities, as well as the chance to experience a rugged Midwestern landscape. Here’s more on this stunning natural area that you’ll want to plan to visit:
Welcome to Isle Royale National Park, a wonderland of natural beauty and adventures that await along Lake Superior in Michigan.
Joe Ross/flickr
In addition to Isle Royale, which is the largest island in Lake Superior, the park contains approximately 400 smaller islands.
Ray Dumas/flickr
One of the best ways to experience Isle Royale is by boat. The area has an extensive boating history as well an impressive collection of intact shipwrecks.
Joe Ross/flickr
Photographed below is the Edisen Fishery, where visitors can learn about the commercial fishing industry that once took place on the lake.
Joe Ross/flickr
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the park is the diversity of wildlife. It’s here that visitors can see moose, reindeer, and foxes. In fact, the National Park System is in the process of reintroducing wolves into the area.
Ray Dumas/flickr
So whether you’re fascinated by the unique history or the unparalleled beauty, you’ll find that Isle Royale truly is the crown jewel of the Midwest.
Paul Huber/flickr
To learn more about the activities available at the park, as well as additional details regarding directions and trail maps, be sure to visit the NPS website. Have you paid a visit to this national park in Michigan recently? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience! If not, do you plan to visit Isle Royale National Park in Michigan soon?
Joe Ross/flickr
Ray Dumas/flickr
Paul Huber/flickr
For some stunning state parks to visit in the Great Lakes State, check out these 12 gorgeous Michigan parks.
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Address: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National park to visit in Michigan March 01, 2022 Sarah M. Is Isle Royale the only national park to visit in Michigan? The National Park Service operates five national parks in Michigan, though some are under specific designations, like national lakeshore, national battlefield, and national heritage park. These nationally designated destinations are: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park, and Keweenaw National Historical Park. Collectively they attract more than 2.5 million visitors each year who come to revel in #PureMichigan splendor! What are some beautiful state parks to visit in Michigan? The Great Lakes State isn’t just home to incredible national parks, our state parks are truly on another level, too. Some of our absolute favorite state parks to visit in Michigan are: Warren Dunes State Park, Cheboygan State Park, Belle Isle Conservancy, Ludington State Park, Petoskey State Park, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. In fact, Tahquamenon Falls State Park might just be our favorite of the Michigan state parks; it’s truly a bucket-list destination for waterfall chasers. Tahquamenon Falls is actually two enchanting cascades, both located inside the eponymous Tahquamenon Falls State Park. One of the most visually stunning cascades in the country, the signature brown running through these falls comes from tannins absorbed from cedar and hemlock swamps. While this chemical reaction can cloud the falls in the summer, during the winter months, the tannins infuse the frozen falls with a delightful – and unexpected – pop of color. It’s positively perfect! What are some other beautiful hiking trails in Michigan? For those who love a great outdoor adventure, there’s no place like Michigan. Our trails are immensely scenic, offering incredible adventure for hikers of all abilities! One of our favorite hikes is the Escarpment Trail in the Porcupine Mountains. Lake of the Clouds is nestled within these marvelous mountains, and the Carp River runs through the landscape, creating a sublime scene that is breathtakingly beautiful. Regarded as one of the Great Lakes State’s most wondrous areas, this region is rife with hiking opportunities. At just four miles long, the Escarpment Trail is not only incredibly accessible, it also offers some of the most breathtaking fall foliage views in the country.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National park to visit in Michigan
March 01, 2022
Sarah M.
Is Isle Royale the only national park to visit in Michigan? The National Park Service operates five national parks in Michigan, though some are under specific designations, like national lakeshore, national battlefield, and national heritage park. These nationally designated destinations are: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park, and Keweenaw National Historical Park. Collectively they attract more than 2.5 million visitors each year who come to revel in #PureMichigan splendor! What are some beautiful state parks to visit in Michigan? The Great Lakes State isn’t just home to incredible national parks, our state parks are truly on another level, too. Some of our absolute favorite state parks to visit in Michigan are: Warren Dunes State Park, Cheboygan State Park, Belle Isle Conservancy, Ludington State Park, Petoskey State Park, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. In fact, Tahquamenon Falls State Park might just be our favorite of the Michigan state parks; it’s truly a bucket-list destination for waterfall chasers. Tahquamenon Falls is actually two enchanting cascades, both located inside the eponymous Tahquamenon Falls State Park. One of the most visually stunning cascades in the country, the signature brown running through these falls comes from tannins absorbed from cedar and hemlock swamps. While this chemical reaction can cloud the falls in the summer, during the winter months, the tannins infuse the frozen falls with a delightful – and unexpected – pop of color. It’s positively perfect! What are some other beautiful hiking trails in Michigan? For those who love a great outdoor adventure, there’s no place like Michigan. Our trails are immensely scenic, offering incredible adventure for hikers of all abilities! One of our favorite hikes is the Escarpment Trail in the Porcupine Mountains. Lake of the Clouds is nestled within these marvelous mountains, and the Carp River runs through the landscape, creating a sublime scene that is breathtakingly beautiful. Regarded as one of the Great Lakes State’s most wondrous areas, this region is rife with hiking opportunities. At just four miles long, the Escarpment Trail is not only incredibly accessible, it also offers some of the most breathtaking fall foliage views in the country.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The National Park Service operates five national parks in Michigan, though some are under specific designations, like national lakeshore, national battlefield, and national heritage park. These nationally designated destinations are: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park, and Keweenaw National Historical Park. Collectively they attract more than 2.5 million visitors each year who come to revel in #PureMichigan splendor!
What are some beautiful state parks to visit in Michigan?
The Great Lakes State isn’t just home to incredible national parks, our state parks are truly on another level, too. Some of our absolute favorite state parks to visit in Michigan are: Warren Dunes State Park, Cheboygan State Park, Belle Isle Conservancy, Ludington State Park, Petoskey State Park, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. In fact, Tahquamenon Falls State Park might just be our favorite of the Michigan state parks; it’s truly a bucket-list destination for waterfall chasers. Tahquamenon Falls is actually two enchanting cascades, both located inside the eponymous Tahquamenon Falls State Park. One of the most visually stunning cascades in the country, the signature brown running through these falls comes from tannins absorbed from cedar and hemlock swamps. While this chemical reaction can cloud the falls in the summer, during the winter months, the tannins infuse the frozen falls with a delightful – and unexpected – pop of color. It’s positively perfect!
What are some other beautiful hiking trails in Michigan?
For those who love a great outdoor adventure, there’s no place like Michigan. Our trails are immensely scenic, offering incredible adventure for hikers of all abilities! One of our favorite hikes is the Escarpment Trail in the Porcupine Mountains. Lake of the Clouds is nestled within these marvelous mountains, and the Carp River runs through the landscape, creating a sublime scene that is breathtakingly beautiful. Regarded as one of the Great Lakes State’s most wondrous areas, this region is rife with hiking opportunities. At just four miles long, the Escarpment Trail is not only incredibly accessible, it also offers some of the most breathtaking fall foliage views in the country.