Michigan is a state located in the Great Lakes region of the Midwestern United States. The name Michigan derives from the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa “great waters” or “great lake”.
Michigan is best known for being the birthplace of the automotive industry: General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US are all based in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. In addition, Traverse City, Mackinac Island and the entire Upper Peninsula attract water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers from across the United States and Canada. From here you can visit Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie. This is also where Michigan’s nickname “Great Lakes State” comes from.
Michigan is the tenth most populous of the 50 United States, with the capital Lansing and the largest city Detroit. It is the only state in America that consists of two peninsulas, The Lower Peninsula and The Upper Peninsula.
They are separated by a canal, the Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. The canal can be crossed by crossing the Mackinac Bridge, which connects the two peninsulas.
First settled by various Native American tribes, Michigan was colonized by French explorers in the 17th century and became part of New France. After France’s defeat in the French and Indian War in 1762, the area came under British rule. In 1805 the Michigan Territory was formed until January 26, 1837, when it became the 26th state to join the Union. Michigan became an important center for industry and commerce due to its ideal location between the many Great Lakes.
Michigan borders Ohio and Indiana to the south. In addition, the Upper Peninsula in the southwest has its land border with Wisconsin. It also has a border with Illinois across Lake Michigan and a border with Minnesota across Lake Superior. The border with the Canadian province of Ontario runs through Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and their connecting waters.
There is no national border with Illinois, but the southwest of the state is still part of the greater Chicago area.
Climate in Michigan
Michigan has a continental climate, although the southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula have a severe climate with warm but short summers and cold to very cold winters. There are an average of 17 tornadoes a year here, especially in the southern part of the state.
Landmarks in Michigan
Popular Michigan attractions include Isle Royale National Park and the natural landmark Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
UNESCO world heritage
There are no UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the state of Michigan.
National Park in Michigan
Isle Royale National Park
Cities and places of interest in Michigan
Detroit
Grand Rabids
Warren
Sterling Heights
Lansing
Ann Arbor
Universities & Colleges in Michigan
Michigan State University at Lansing
University of Michigan
Wayne State University at Detroit
University of Detroit Mercy
Michigan Airports
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport / DTW
Gerald R. Ford International Airport / GRR
Bishop International Airport / FNT
Capital Region International Airport / LAN
Cherry Capital Airport / TVC
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport / AZO
Rivers & Lakes in Michigan
Grand River
Huron River
Detroit River
St Mary’s River
Kalamazoo River
St Clair River
Lake Superior
Lake Huron
Lake Michigan
Lake Erie
Michigan mountains
Huron Mountains
Porcupine Mountains
Camping in Isle Royale National Park
The park has 36 designated wilderness campgrounds. Some campgrounds are inland, others are on the islands of Lake Superior. The campsites on the smaller islands can usually only be reached by boat. Most campgrounds are equipped with pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits. Water from the water sources should be boiled.
Access to park
The park is accessible via ferries, seaplanes and passenger ships during the summer months. These depart from Houghton and Copper Harbor in Michigan and Grand Portage in Minnesota. In addition, many private boats travel to the island from the shores of Michigan, Minnesota and Ontario.
In addition to the four ferries, there is a seaplane that can take you to Isle Royale National Park. Reservations in advance are strongly recommended, especially in the high season from late July to mid-August. Departure points are in Grand Portage, Copper Harbor and Houghton. We have put together the individual ferries for you here:
Ranger III
The Ranger III is a 165-foot (50 m) ship that departs from Houghton, Michigan. It drives to the northeast end in Isle Royale National Park. It takes about six hours by boat to get to the park from Houghton.
Isle Royale Queen IV
The Isle Royale Queen IV is a passenger ferry that operates between Copper Harbor, Michigan and Rock Harbor on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. From Michigan’s Copper Harbor, it takes about three hours to get to Rock Harbor.
Voyageur II
The Voyageur II is a passenger ferry that operates between Grand Portage, Minnesota and a variety of pick-up and drop points in Isle Royale National Park.
Seahunter III
The Seahunter III is a passenger ferry that operates between Grand Portage, Minnesota and Windigo on the southwest end of Isle Royale National Park. On average, ferries from Grand Portage travel to the islands in 1 1/2 hours and stay there for around 4 hours.
Isle Royale Seaplanes
Isle Royale Seaplanes fly from Houghton to Rock Harbor and Windigo in Isle Royale National Park.
Attractions near Isle Royale National Park
There are several attractions worth seeing near the national park. In Michigan these are: Keweenaw National Historical Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores, Michigan State Parks, Hiawatha National Forest, Ottawa National Forest and Seney National Wildlife Refuge. In Wisconsin, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshores, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Wisconsin State Parks and Chequamegon National Forest. In Minnesota it is Grand Portage National Monument, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota State parks, Boundary Canoe Area, Chippewa National Forest and Superior National Forest.
Also nearby in Canada are Quetico Provincial Park, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and Pukaskwa National Park of Canada.
Fees and Passports
The usage fee applies to all park visitors, with the exception of children under the age of 11. It is $4 per day per person.
The Isle Royale National Park is maintained with the income from the user fee.
Opening hours
The park is open from April 16th to October 31st. Due to the extreme winter weather conditions from November 1st to April 15th the park is officially closed.
Address of the Isle Royale National Park attraction in Michigan
Isle Royale National Park
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
https://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm
