In celebration of the Great American Outdoors Act anniversary, you can visit three National Park Service (NPS) sites in Michigan for FREE on August 4, 2023!
Isle Royale National Park is an archipelago that consists of a large island and more than 200 smaller islands. The park can only be accessed by boat (ferry or private) or seaplane and is only open to the public half the year (April 16 – October 31).
Located 56 miles off the mainland of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the northwest corner of Lake Superior, this remote park was established in 1940 and saw close to 3,200 visitors in its first year. In 2021, more than 25,000 individuals visited the park.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is comprised of two zones along Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that combine for a total of 114.5 square miles. Established in 1966, it was the first of the nation’s four national lakeshores and is 42.8 miles long.
Visits to this park frequently include hiking, biking, chasing waterfalls, camping, boating, hunting, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. The park is truly an outdoor playground with six major lakes, 111 miles of hiking trails, three drive-in campgrounds, and 13 backcountry camping areas within its boundaries.
This NPS site was established by Congress in 1970 and has grown in popularity as more and more people discover its beauty. Good Morning America named the park the “Most Beautiful Place in America” in 2011, exposing the nation to one of Michigan’s favorite year-round destinations.
Climbing the dunes, traversing Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, hiking the Empire Bluff Trail, paddling the Platte River, biking the Heritage Trail, or simply enjoying a day on the shores of Lake Michigan are all popular activities at Sleeping Bear Dunes.