The US National Park system celebrates its 104th birthday on Aug 25, 2020. Here in Michigan, we are fortunate to have 5 National Parks and 2 other national sites managed by the NPS.
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Lake Superior, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, near Munising, Michigan [NPS Info Page]
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan, Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, near Traverse City [NPS Info Page]
- Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (only accessible by seaplane or ferry) [NPS Info Page]
- Keweenaw National Historical Park, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Calumet, Michigan [NPS Info Page]
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Monroe, Michigan [NPS Info Page]
The other two sites managed by or affiliated with the NPS, but not considered part of the 5 parks are;
- MotorCities National Heritage Area, Detroit [NPS Info Page]
- North Country National Scenic Trail, a multi-state national trail [NPS Info Page]
Sadly, I have only been to two of the five parks as of today, but have been to those two multiple times. Isle Royale remains the only remaining nature-based park I hope to visit someday, but it takes some dedicated planning due to it being so remote. It holds the distinction of the least visited national park in the country. (My kinda place! 🙂 )
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a quite a popular park, and the crowds are a turnoff in peak season for many. I’ve always liked visiting in mid to late autumn when a visit can be combined with viewing fall colors in upper Michigan.
The photograph here of Sleeping Bear Dunes has a bit of an optical illusion to it. The edge where water meets land is deceiving. That edge of sand is actually a bluff drop-off, plunging more than 400 feet (122 m) to the water surface. That’s why it appears like such a clean edge with no shoreline breaking waves.
Despite the warnings, people still try to “prove their worthiness” by trying to climb down, not considering the very treacherous climb back up. I still remember one day looking over the edge, seeing some small ant-sized people below who had written a warning in the beach sand.
It said “DON’T DO IT!”
I am sure the park rangers have of stories of many rescues from this dune.
I don’t really have a bucket list to visit all the national parks in the US as I generally have a large aversion to crowds of tourists. But there are some gems, and I can recommend two in particular in Michigan that everyone should visit at least once.
Featured Image: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore “Lover’s Leap” Archway in Lake Superior is best explored either by self-driven pontoon or by kayak. However, the season ends for these rentals in the first half of autumn due to the increasing unpredictability of Lake Superior and weather.
Sorry to leave so many comments at once – it’s impossible to keep up these days, I’m behind everywhere. Your photos make it clear that Michigan deserves way more credit than it gets when it comes to scenery. Why do people only think of places like Yellowstone? 😉 We went to Sleeping Bear when I was about 3 or 4, and I have just a few wonderful wonderful photos of myself being dragged up and down a dune by my mother and someone else, totally thrilled. I swear I remember the thrill of the feeling of freedom you get form all that endless space dropping off in front of you. 🙂
I know the difficulty in keeping up, no apologies needed. I appreciate you spending your valuable time here to leave them!
I am sure many places don’t truly get the credit they deserve. One only has so much time in this world – to explore, to comment and keep up with blogs 🙂 , to do things we enjoy.
Sleeping Bear is a great place. A great many people have made the mistake thinking they can actually go down some of the bigger dunes and climb back up! 🙂
I visited Michigan, Battle Creek Area, a number of times when I was working for business but never had much free time to explore. I love to someday spend some time seeing the MI sights, especially the UP. I love the feel and the color palette of the Sleeping Bear Dunes photo.
You should come up for some Lake St. Clair winter sunrises. 🙂
Haha, I’ve seen your lake shore ice photos. While they are beautiful, I’m thinking you don’t get that much ice without it being a bit cold. I doubt I have enough clothes. ? I was thinking more of the other three seasons. ?
I have been lucky enough to go to Pictured Rocks to photograph four or five times. It is a true gem! And there are so many waterfalls and lakes to photograph in the Munising area as well! Pete’s Lake is a personal fave. Don’t plan on having any good meals there though lol
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Pete’s Lake, I’ll have to look that up. Haha, anything more than the basics can be asking for a lot in much of the UP.
Just a short drive from Munising. Has a boardwalk out into the lake. Sun rises over the lake. Definitely a highlight!
I will make a note for next time I am up there