Michigan Bucket List: Nationally Designated Parks in MI

07.18.2024 | 4 min read

Michigan is known for its gorgeous water, woods, and natural beauty, as well as its role in the Great Lakes regional and national history. There are several National Parks and national-designated parks and trails in Michigan. We’ve listed them below with details for you to add to your summer itinerary or Michigan bucket list.

Isle Royale National Park - Houghton

Nestled in Lake Superior between Houghton and Grand Portage, Isle Royale and the surrounding National Park was established in 1940. The area has been home to the Anishinaabe people, and a rich culture and history of outdoorsmanship, mining, and preservation, for thousands of years. This park is well known for sightings of wolves and moose. Visit the park to learn more about the history of Isle Royale and the hundreds of nearby islands in the surrounding Lake Superior waters.

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton - Isle Royale National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Keweenaw National Historical Park - Calumet

The Keweenaw region in the Upper Peninsulahas been known for copper mining and production for thousands of years, dating back to hand-made copper goods from more than 7,000 years ago. In fact, the Keweenaw Peninsula is the only site in the United States with signs of prehistoric copper mining. Keweenaw National Historical Park was established in 1992 and is headquartered in Calumet. Large churches, mansions, and an opera house remain from the mining boom that built the settler cities in this Upper Peninsula area.

25970 Red Jacket Road, Calumet - Keweenaw National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore -Munising and Grand Marais

Extending for 42 miles on the northern Lake Superior shore of Alger County, this National Lakeshore gets its name from the miles of beautiful, multi-colored sandstone cliffs on the shoreline, which can be viewed by kayak and boat. There are also rock formations, waterfalls, sand dunes, beaches, forests, and more natural beauty to take in on the many hiking trails. Pictured Rocks was named the very-first National Lakeshore in 1966.

1505 Sand Point Road, Munising - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

River Raisin National Battlefield Park – Monroe

This historic battlefield is the only nationally recognized historic battlefield from the War of 1812. The battles at River Raisin consisted of a Native American coalition with the British Army against American forces. Different areas of the River Raisin region have been historically marked since 1956, but the park began operation as a National Park in 2010. Learn the history of the Battle of Frenchtown and the American defeat at the hands of the British and Native American forces.

333 N. Dixie Hwy, Monroe - River Raisin National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore- Empire

Sleeping Bear Dunes was marked as a National Lakeshore in 1970 by the National Parks Service. Miles of sandy beaches, bluffs rising above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, and unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Make sure to check out the South Manitou Island lighthouse, vibrant coastal villages, miles of hiking trails, and beautiful farmland and vineyards to appreciate the maritime and agricultural history of the area. There is a paved multi-use trail from Glen Arbor to the park as well.

9922 W. Front St., Empire - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

North Country National Scenic Trail

While this trail is not Michigan-specific – the trail starts in North Dakota and makes its way through eight states including Michigan –it does cover more than 1,100 miles of Michigan countryside, including locations in both the Upper and Lower peninsulas. On the Michigan portions of the trail, hikers can view Black River, Lake Superior, Manabeznho Falls, the Hiawatha National Forest, Pictured Rocks National Seashore, and more. There is a North Country Trail Association waystation in Lowell.

229 E. Main St., Lowell - North Country National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Motor Cities National Heritage Area - Detroit Metro

The Motor Cities National Heritage Area was federally designated as a National Heritage Area in 1998. The National Heritage Area commemorates the automobile industry and its role in growing Metro Detroit, with portions of 16 counties included. It includes museums and historical landmarks and sites connected to the auto industry and its magnates and inventors, such as R.E. Olds, Henry Ford, David Buick, Walter P. Chrysler, and Henry Leland.

200 Renaissance Ctr., Detroit - MotorCities National Heritage Area