Article • Things to Do in the Midwest

Things to Do in Michigan

Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, North Country National Scenic Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, River Raisin National Battlefield Park,

Dunes rise above shoreline under blue sky.
View of the Grand Sable Dunes at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

NPS

This page highlights things to do in Michigan.

Dip your toes in the continent's inland seas at several national lakeshores and parks. Learn about the Upper Peninsula's mining heritage at Kewenaw National Historical Park. These are just a few of the many things to do in Michigan. Below, you'll find links to things to do followed by information on National Heritage Areas and affiliated sites.

Things to Do at Michigan parks

Michigan Trip Ideas

Looking for ideas to help you plan your next trip to a national park? These trip ideas provide recommended activities designed to help you figure out how to spend your time. For even more ideas, see search for things to do and trip ideas by park, activity, topic, duration, and more.
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  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Plan a pet-friendly visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes

    • Duration: Full Day
    • Topics: Trails
    • Activities: Hiking
    a golden retriever sits on a sandy beach with a lake and dune in the background

    Plan a pet-friendly visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Find out where pets are welcome and how to prepare for your visit.

  • Isle Royale National Park

    Windigo Day Trip

    • Type: Solitary/Remote, Outdoors, Group Friendly
    • Duration: Full Day
    • Topics: Wilderness, Scenic Views, Trails
    • Activities: Hands-On, Junior Ranger Program, Front-Country Hiking, Paddling
    Through a stand of birch trees, Beaver Island can be seen in Washington Harbor, at Isle Royale.

    Windigo is located on the southwestern end of Isle Royale National Park, an isolated island in Lake Superior. Windigo is reachable by ferry, seaplane, or private boat. Acting as a portal to wilderness, Windigo provides visitors with front country amenities and support. Spend a day around Windigo- hike, paddle, fish, or attend a ranger program.

  • Isle Royale National Park

    Backpack the Minong Ridge Trail

    • Type: Active, Solitary/Remote, Outdoors
    • Duration: Multiple Days
    • Topics: Trails, Wilderness, Scenic Views
    • Activities: Backcountry Camping
    View of a forested island, interior lake, Lake Superior, and Canada.

    Backpack Isle Royale's most challenging trail and trek over 30 miles through isolated wilderness. The Minong Ridge Trail is considered the most challenging trail at Isle Royale because of its isolation, changing trail conditions, exposed rocky ridges, and steep ridge climbs and descents.

  • Isle Royale National Park

    Backpack the Feldtmann Loop

    • Type: Active, Solitary/Remote, Outdoors
    • Duration: Multiple Days
    • Topics: Trails, Wilderness
    • Activities: Backcountry Camping
    A boardwalk staircase a part of the trail in a forest.

    Backpack over 30 miles around the Feldtmann Loop and experience the most varied trail at Isle Royale,

  • Isle Royale National Park

    Backpack the Harbor to Hills Loop

    • Type: Active, Solitary/Remote, Outdoors
    • Duration: Multiple Days
    • Topics: Scenic Views, Trails, Wilderness, Wetlands
    • Activities: Backcountry Camping
    View of rocky outcropping surrounded by trees along water with islands in the distance.

    Backpack along Rock Harbor Channel and on top of the Greenstone Ridge on the eastern end of Isle Royale. Hike over 25 miles through remote wilderness.

  • Isle Royale National Park

    Paddle and Portage Interior Lakes at Isle Royale

    • Type: Solitary/Remote, Outdoors
    • Duration: Multiple Days
    • Topics: Water Trails, Wilderness, Trails
    • Activities: Canoe or Kayak Camping
    A person portages a canoe on a trail over a hill surrounded by forest.

    Paddle and portage from one lake to another. What will you find in the island's interior?

  • Isle Royale National Park

    Rock Harbor Day Trip

    • Type: Solitary/Remote, Outdoors, Group Friendly
    • Duration: Full Day
    • Topics: Wilderness, Scenic Views, Trails, Unique Species, Wetlands, Geology
    • Activities: Hands-On, Junior Ranger Program, Front-Country Hiking, Paddling
    A handmade map on a sign for Rock Harbor, Isle Royale National Park.

    Rock Harbor is located on the eastern end of Isle Royale National Park, an isolated island in Lake Superior. Rock Harbor is reachable by ferry, seaplane, or private boat. Acting as a portal to wilderness, Rock Harbor provides visitors with front country amenities and support. Spend a day around Rock Harbor- hike, paddle, fish, attend a ranger program, or explore on a guided tour!

  • Isle Royale National Park

    Backpack the Greenstone Ridge Trail

    • Type: Active, Solitary/Remote, Outdoors, Group Friendly
    • Duration: Multiple Days
    • Topics: Trails, Scenic Views, Wilderness
    • Activities: Backcountry Camping
    A forest at the beginning of autumn, Lake Superior, and the Canadian shoreline.

    Backpack the Greenstone Ridge Trail and trek across an entire island.

  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    If you have less than 3 hours

    • Type: Kid Friendly, Active, Outdoors
    • Duration: Half Day
    • Topics: Lakes
    • Activities: Paddling
    Looking down from top of sand dune to teal lake surrounded by dark green trees

    Only have a short time in the Lakeshore, try one or two of these activities.

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Visit National Heritage Areas and Affiliated Sites

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  • MotorCities National Heritage Area

    • Type: Place
    Vintage car at an automobile museum in front of red barn.

    MotorCities National Heritage Area celebrates Michigan’s rich automotive history and labor heritage that put America on wheels and became the automotive capital of the world.

  • Michigan: Father Marquette National Memorial

    • Type: Article
    visitor at Father Marquette National memorial

    Father Jacques Marquette was among the leading French explorers in the New World. On behalf of France, Father Marquette and Louis Jolliet explored and mapped the Mississippi Valley, documenting its rivers and peoples. Today, visitors to Father Marquette National Memorial in St. Ignace, Michigan can learn about the life of this remarkable priest and traveler.

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Part of a series of articles titled Things to Do in the Midwest .

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Last updated: March 15, 2024