Michigan’s Hidden Gem: Among the Least Visited National Parks in the U.S.

Michigan has some of the most amazing parks throughout the upper and lower peninsula. I think it's safe to say, that every park is worth the drive regardless of where you live.

Related: Discover the Most Remote Spot in the State

While Michigan has 103 state parks, only a handful hold the prestigious title of national parks. Those parks include Isle Royale National Park in Houghton, Keweenaw National Historic Park in Calumet, MotorCities National Heritage Area in  Detroit, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, and North Country National Trail in Lowell.

The National Parks Service released its list of the most-visited and least-visited national parks for 2023.

You won't find any of Michigan's beautiful national parks among the most visited in the United States. However, you will find one among the least visited, mainly because this national park is also considered one of the most remote spots in the state.

Isle Royale National Park is among the least-visited national parks in the United States. Isle Royale ranked No. 59 out of 63 national parks with only 28,965 visitors in 2023. That's a huge difference when compared to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which saw over 13 million visitors last year.

Least-Visited National Parks

1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve - 11,045
2. National Park of American Samoa - 12,135
3. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve - 16,728
4. Kobuk Valley National Park - 17,616
5. Isle Royale National Park - 28,965

Most-Visited National Park

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 13.297 million
2. Grand Canyon National Park - 4.73 million
3. Zion National Park - 4.62 million
4. Yellowstone National Park - 4.5 million
5. Rocky Mountain National Park - 4.11 million