Michigan's Underrated National Park In Lake Superior Offers A Scenic Nature Escape

When it comes to national parks in the U.S., the east and west tend to dominate the conversation. After all, these two ends of the country are home to scenic spots such as the unique Acadia National Park in Maine and California's underrated Lassen Volcanic National Park. This causes many to overlook parks in other regions of the country, and nowhere is this more true than the Midwest, where you'll find a number of enthralling outdoor treasures, including Isle Royale National Park. 

Situated in Lake Superior between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the shores of Ontario, Canada, this remarkable piece of real estate consists of the island it's named for, along with over 450 smaller rocky rises and islets. To top it off, it's only accessible by boat or seaplane, which immediately weeds out the casual travelers. This is good news, as it means you'll likely never have to battle crowds. 

People come to Isle Royale National Park to camp, hike, kayak, fish, spot wildlife, and scuba dive in the icy clear waters of Lake Superior. The fact that getting to the island takes extra effort makes it all the better of a destination, and one more reason that the Midwest just may be the most underappreciated part of the U.S. for outdoor recreation.

Designated in 1976, Royale Isle National Park occupies 132,018 acres of land composed of thick forest, lakes, bogs, and low ridgeline. To get to the park, most visitors board a boat from Houghton or Copper Harbor, Michigan. The quickest route, at 1.5 to two hours, is to get on at Grand Portage, a cool Minnesota town with plenty of outdoor thrills and beauty, before sailing to the 50-mile-long island. Seats for all boats sell out fast, so make sure to book in advance.

Isle Royale National Park is a camper's paradise, with 36 designated wilderness campgrounds sprinkled throughout the island. Permits are required and are issued free of charge at the debarkation points of Rock Harbor and Windigo, or aboard the Ranger III Park Service ferry that departs from Houghton. All sites are first come, first served, though groups of seven or more people must reserve in advance. Crowds aren't generally a thing on Isle Royale, as the park gets as many visitors in one year as Yellowstone often sees in a day, so it's generally easy to find a spot to camp.

Hiking is also a popular pastime in the park, with many visitors electing to backpack — walking 6 to 8 miles a day between camps. This is a good way to experience the wild interior (the island is 9 miles wide in most spots), as well as the wildlife that calls the place home. Both wolves and moose are common on Isle Royale, along with red foxes, beavers, martens, and otters. Insects – in the form of black flies and mosquitoes — can be bad during the summer, so be sure to cover up and bring plenty of bug spray. 

While Isle Royale's shoreline is dotted with outcroppings, islands, and hidden coves that are perfect for taking in via a kayak or canoe, its inland contains treasures in the form of lakes and waterways that also beg for exploration. Portage routes are marked with a "P" sign, while any paddling done in the open water of Lake Superior requires a sturdy vessel. Canoes must be at least 15 feet long, while sea kayaks should be at least 15 feet, 8 to 19 inches in order to endure the sudden changes of current and weather the lake is famous for. The law also dictates that paddlers must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device.

The waters surrounding Isle Royale are also renowned for their diving. The park has some of the best wreck diving in the Great Lakes, with 10 major shipwrecks open to underwater exploration. Just know the crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior are also incredibly cold, and some wrecks lie at depths of 60 feet or more, so proper equipment and experience is a must.

If you want to experience the raw wonder of Isle Royale National Park and roughing it isn't your thing, consider booking a room at Rock Harbor Lodge. Run by a concessionaire, this rustic facility features 60 lodge rooms and 20 cottage duplexes that can be booked up to a year in advance. Also know that the park is closed from November 1 to April 15 due to extreme winter weather. The nearest international airports are Thunder Bay International (50 miles from Grand Portage) and Duluth International Airport (150 miles away). You can also fly into the park in a floatplane that takes off from Hubbell, Michigan.