Sometimes the best places are the ones that are off the beaten path and tucked away Here in Michigan we are pretty spoiled when it comes to the great outdoors. Beautiful lakes, fantastic shorelines, and not one, but five National Parks. One of those parks is now getting a big-time nod for being voted the " Best Hidden Gem Destination in Michigan".

There's a new list giving us a state-by-state look at the Best Hidden Gem Destination in Each State. These are those places that once you discover them you'll fall immediately in love with all they have to offer.

"While many travelers like to stick to the main attractions when visiting a new state, a curious contingent seeks out the often overshadowed, lesser-known oddities. This summer vacation season, put down the travel guide and take a look at what's happening on the other side of town as we explore the top hidden gem in every state", they said.  

According to a new list by Cheapism, Isle Royale National Park is Michigan's best-hidden gem. Situated in Lake Superior between Thunder Bay, Canada, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Isle Royale is one of America's least visited National Parks most likely due to its remote location.

Accessible by a five-hour boat ride from the Upper Peninsula, the island destination is an adventurer's dream. The 45-mile-long and 9-mile-wide car-less wilderness has an area of 206.73 sq miles which makes it the fourth-largest lake island in the world. The park consists of one large island surrounded by 400 smaller islands all stunningly beautiful and "brimming with wildlife and nearly entirely devoid of humans".

Cars 108 logo
Get our free mobile app

The park is full of things to explore from wildlife, waterways, and 3 historic lighthouses, Rock Harbor LightMenagerie Island Light, and Passage Island Light. Hike like you never did before along the 43-mile Greenstone Ridge Trail and come face to face with a moose or two.

Although secluded and quiet, there are accommodations if needed. Rooms are available at the quaint Rock Harbor Lodge. Located on the northwest side of Isle Royale. the hotel offers a cute lodge with all rooms overlooking Lake Superior with a dining room serving local favorites like fresh whitefish and Michigan blueberry pancakes.

How Do You Get to Isle Royale National Park?

So how do you get to this remote outdoor paradise? You can hop a boat from Copper Harbor, Houghton, and even Grand Portage, Minnesota. You can also travel to the island by seaplane. There are also some amazing sightseeing cruises of the stunning shoreline as well.

Get more information about Michigan's "hidden gem" here, and check out the complete list of "Best Hidden Gem Destinations in Every State" by clicking here. 

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

Gallery Credit: Alexander Raeburn

RANKED: Here are the most popular national parks

To determine the most popular national parks in the United States, Stacker compiled data from the National Park Service on the number of recreational visits each site had in 2020. Keep reading to discover the 50 most popular national parks in the United States, in reverse order from #50 to #1. And be sure to check with individuals parks before you visit to find out about ongoing, pandemic-related safety precautions at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang

 

 

More From Cars 108