10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Michigan That You Shouldn't Miss

July 24, 2021 Renato Branum

Think you need an ocean for a beach? Think again. There are miles and miles of sandy lakefront beaches in Michigan (thanks to the four Great Lakes that border it). The west coast of Michigan has especially nice beaches—try a rental in Muskegon, Grand Haven or Saugatuck. You won’t need a car when visiting Mackinac Island. In fact, they’re not allowed—this lovely Victorian resort town is pedestrian-only.
Restaurants in Michigan

1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Headquarters on Sand Point Rd Between Munising and Grand Marais, Munising, MI 49862 +1 906-387-3700 http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
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5.0 based on 2,081 reviews

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Park located on the shoreline of Lake Superior encompassing cliffs, dunes, waterfalls and lakes.

Reviewed By 211charissek - Troy, United States

To actually see the pictured rocks you must either rent kayaks to get close up and personal, or take the boat tour.The double tiered boat gives you sensational views of the magnificent turquoise, orange, brown, copper, pink colors within the stones sculpted and worn by the seas of Lake Superior. The backdrop of the turquoise water is reminiscent of the pacific ocean and is a sight to behold.

2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

9922 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630-9417 +1 231-326-5134 http://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
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5.0 based on 1,861 reviews

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

This national park includes a 35-mile stretch of beach on Lake Michigan for swimming plus 13 hiking trails.

Reviewed By JoeandKarin - Levering, United States

We only had a day to spend here....you can easily make this a nice vacation spot...we will be back !! There are plenty of activities for everyone...trail hiking, sandy beach walks, lots of areas to build sand castles or just to sit and take in the beautiful lake shore, swimming, and also plenty of bike trails. The “Scenic Trail” drive is a must!!! There are plenty of “overlook areas” of the Dunes and the lake where you can stop and take pictures. The Dune hike is very adventurous and worth the climb in the sand !! Bring plenty of water and wear a hat !!! Going down the Dune, whether at a run, roll or stroll, makes the effort of the climb well worth it !! We stopped at the visitor center first and found the volunteers there very helpful and informative. Very fun time !

3. Les Cheneaux Islands

Excellent
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Les Cheneaux Islands

4. Palms Book State Park

Manistique, MI 49854 +1 906-341-2355 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=425&type=SPRK
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
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5.0 based on 301 reviews

Palms Book State Park

Reviewed By romanekj - Lansing, United States

Palms Book State Park’s Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is an Ojibwa word said to have many meanings, including The Great Water, The Blue Sky I See, and The Roaring Bubbling Spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is 200’ in diameter, 42′ deep and delivers 16,000 gallons of crystal clear water per minute. The water stays at 45 degrees year round. You can ride the observation raft for a beautiful view across the spring. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the floating dock was closed for a long time but, since people kept breaking the locks, it was opened very recently. Looking down the center of the raft, you can see the bubbling spring doing its work. Large trout seemed to be everywhere, but no fishing is allowed. A must see!!! #puremichigan #summer2020 #nofilter

5. Presque Isle Park

Peter White Dr., Marquette, MI http://www.mqtcty.org/parks-presque-isle.php
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 942 reviews

Presque Isle Park

Reviewed By 936timl - Edwardsburg, United States

The whole family did it - 17 & 15 yr old boys and a 10 yr old daughter - even Mom & Dad! Really cool and safe jump from about 20 feet into the crystal clear (and refreshingly chilly) Lake Superior waters near Marquette, MI!

6. Island Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

Long Rapids Road & Gilchrist Avenue, Alpena, MI +1 989-354-1770 http://www.michigan.org/property/detail.aspx?p=G5292
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
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5.0 based on 80 reviews

Island Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

Reviewed By D4694WYsarahp

Beautiful! We loved the BoyScouts created info plaques along the trail. Short hike, less than a mile.

7. Black River Harbor Recreation Area

County Road 513, Ironwood, MI 49938 +1 906-932-1330 http://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/ottawa/specialplaces
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
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5.0 based on 63 reviews

Black River Harbor Recreation Area

Reviewed By TAFCRacer - Mechanic Falls, United States

We visited the Black River Harbor Recreational Area of the Ottawa National Forest recently for a family reunion. This recreational area is located 14 miles north of US Route 2 in Bessemer, Michigan. It features boat access to Lake Superior, camping, a large grassy area with charcoal cooking grills, a sandy beach, many hiking trails with scenic overlooks and a large enclosed pavillion (with flush toilets) that can be reserved for events. About 60 of us enjoyed our afternoon at Black River Harbor, using the pavillion facilities. I took a short 1-1/2 mile hike to and from Rainbow Falls and was impressed with the enormous old growth trees in the forest. It was also very cool to hear the people playing in the park fade into silence during the hike, let my mind get lost in the still quiet of the forest, then slowly begin to hear the waterfall as I hiked closer to it. This is a wonderful place to visit & relax, as a solo trip, or with family & friends.

8. Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area

1129 Wilson St, Boyne City, MI 49712-1592 http://www.cityofboynecity.com/avalanche-preserve-recreation-area-188/
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
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5.0 based on 44 reviews

Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area

9. Independence Oaks County Park

9501 Sashabaw Rd, Clarkston, MI 48348-2064 +1 248-625-0877 https://www.facebook.com/Independence-Oaks-County-Park-117497148275879/
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Independence Oaks County Park

10. Rock Harbor

Isle Royale National Park, MI +1 715-856-8593 http://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
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4.5 based on 74 reviews

Rock Harbor

Harbor area where boats arrive bringing visitors to Isle Royale National Park where you will find a visitors center and the Rock Harbor Lodge.

Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States

Rock Harbor is Isle Royale’s developed center of activity, the dropping-off location for most ferries to the island, and the starting point for a fantastic, wilderness adventure. At Rock Harbor, one will find a visitor center, store with basic provisions, lodge, camper cabins, two reasonable, in both quality and price, restaurants, giftshop, water taxis to other parts of the island, departure point for the MV Sandy tour boat, docks and fuel for private boats, seaplane port on the Tobin Harbor side, canoe and kayak rentals, a campground, trailheads for day hikes and backpacking excursions, and, a favorite of visitors, a resident bull moose known as Bruce the Moose.

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