Isle Royale National Park Wolves and moose, the wild North Woods forest, everchanging weather and a cool climate, and the crystal clear waters and rugged shoreline of Lake Superior characterize Isle Royale National Park. This wilderness archipelago is 45 miles long and nine miles wide at its widest point. The park encompasses a total area of 850 square miles including submerged lands which extends four and a half miles out into Lake Superior. The archipelago is composed of many parallel ridges resulting from ancient lava flows which were tilted and glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for backpackers and recreational boaters. There is excellent fishing, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites, and plenty of spots to observe wildlife. Roadless Isle Royale is accessible only by boat or float plane. Isle Royale is relatively untouched by direct outside influences and serves as a living laboratory and United States Biosphere Reserve.
Keweenaw National Historical Park Keweenaw National Historical Park was established to commemorate the rich history of copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan - the only place in the world where commercially abundant quantities of elemental copper occurred. It has the oldest metal mining heritage in the western hemisphere -- one which dates back 7,000 years.
The Keweenaw Peninsula was the site of America's first large scale hard-rock industrial mining operations. The copper mines of the Keweenaw were critical to the industrial development of the United States.
Mine shafts here reached over 9,000 feet deep. The men who labored, and sometimes died in these mines, along with the women who nurtured them, gave the Keweenaw Peninsula a rich mix of language, costume and custom. Their descendents are now working with the National Park Service to share these many stories with all the people of America at a national park which relies on partnerships with local communities in the Keweenaw.
There are approximately 1700 acres within the two units of the park. Much of that area is, and will remain, in private ownership. Keweenaw National Historical Park will own only areas where it will preserve key structures and sites and conduct its interpretive activities. In addition, there are a number of Cooperating Sites scattered across a one hundred mile section of the Keweenaw Peninsula. These sites, are cooperating with the National Park Service to provide interpretive opportunities and visitor services.
Kirtlands Warbler WMA The Kirtland's Warbler WMA is located throughout 8 counties in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. Is the only known nesting area of one of the world's rarest birds, its namesake, the Kirtland's warbler. Seney NWR is responsible for land management of 118 separate tracts totaling 6,534 acres. All acreage contains jack pine growing on Garyling sands and has the potential for warbler nesting. Management for Kirtland's warbler involves a combination of direct refuge management and actions via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Ottawa National Forest The almost one million acres of the Ottawa National Forest are located in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It extends from the south shore of Lake Superior down to Wisconsin and the Nicolet National Forest. The area is rich in wildlife viewing opportunies; topography in the northern portion is the most dramatic with breathtaking views of rolling hills dotted with lakes, rivers and spectacular waterfalls.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Multicolored sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, wildlife and the forest of the Lake Superior shoreline beckon visitors to explore this 73,000+ acre park. Attractions include a lighthouse and former Coast Guard life-saving stations along with old farmsteads and former logging trails. The park is a four season recreational destination where hiking, camping, hunting, nature study, and winter activities abound. At its widest point the Lakeshore is only five miles and hugs the Superior shoreline for more than 40 miles. This was the first National Lakeshore and was authorized in 1966.
Seney NWR The refuge consists of marshes, fens, and bogs; coniferous and northern hardwood forests; upland barrens, meadows, and a 25,000 acre Wilderness Area. Seney NWR supports an array of both wetland and upland wildlife species such as bald eagles, osprey, loons, otter, beaver, black bear, white-tailed deer and wolves.
Seney NWR maintains a range of programs, events, tours, facilities and opportunities that make Seney "A Great Place to Watch Wildlife" for the visitor.
