I might be a bit biased but I think Michigan is one of the best states in America to celebrate National Park Week, which runs from April 16-24.

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What is National Park Week?

President Joe Biden declared National Park Week on April 15th, 2022.

Our national parks serve as a source of recreation, inspiration, and spirit.  They are, indeed, America’s best idea.  I encourage all Americans to take some time during National Park Week to connect with our national parks.

 

How Many National Parks Does Michigan Have?

Michiganders have five national parks to enjoy (Isle Royale, Keweenaw, Pictured Rocks, River Raisin, and Sleeping Bear Dunes).

Isle Royale National Park

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Isle Royale is located far out in Lake Superior and can be reached only by charter boat or seaplane.

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Isle Royale was made a national park on March 3, 1931.

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Keweenaw National Park 

Keweenaw native peoples made copper into tools and trade items. Investors and immigrants arrived in the 1800s in a great mineral rush, developing thriving industries and cosmopolitan communities. Though the mines have since closed, their mark is still visible on the land and people.

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Pictured Rocks National Park

The geologic formations of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are most spectacularly represented by the 50-200 ft. sandstone cliffs that extend for more than 15 miles along the shoreline. Sea caves, arches, blowholes, turrets, stone spires, and other features like the famous Chapel Rock have been sculpted from these cliffs over the centuries by unceasing waves and weather.

A picturesque blue sky afternoon along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Pure Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
A picturesque blue sky afternoon along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Pure Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Charlie Wollborg via Unsplash
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Wayne Silver, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Wayne Silver, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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River Raisin National Park

River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves, commemorates, and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath in Monroe and Wayne counties in SE Michigan.

The Ghost Watch/YouTube
The Ghost Watch/YouTube
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The battle resulted in the greatest victory for Tecumseh’s American Indian confederation and the greatest defeat for the U.S. The resulting rally cry “Remember the Raisin” spurred support for the rest of the war.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore/facebook
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore/facebook
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Sleeping Bear Dunes was designated a national park on October 20, 1970.

Sleeping Bear Dunes in Northern Michigan, USA
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The park receives over 1,600,000 visitors a year.

Jojo Girard
Jojo Girard
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908 species of plants, 246 species of birds, and 4 endangered species call Sleeping Bear Dunes home.

You can get more information about Michigan's National Parks here.

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