Why You Should Visit the Least Visited National Park
It’s officially springtime! And while spring marks the beginning of many wonderful things (March Madness, warmer temps, blooming flowers, rooftop bars, etc.), the most wonderful thing it marks is prime season for many National Parks.
I mean, c’mon, our country is full of some mind-blowing National Parks: the Grand Canyon to the Grand Tetons, the Great Basin to the Great Smoky Mountains, Crater Lake to Lake Clark. And after another record-setting year of 325 million visitors, the Parks are gaining even more attention these days (#Badasslands, anyone?). But there’s one hidden gem you won’t hear much about– one National Park that flies so far under the radar that fewer people visit it in one year than visit Yosemite in one day. It’s not because it lacks in beauty or splendor. It’s just because it’s so damn hard to get to and to get around. But trust me, it’s worth the trek.
Here’s why Isle Royale should be your next National Park:
1. The Quiet
One of the biggest draws of our National Parks is that you can experience nature at its finest: sprawling mountains, rolling hills, and wildlife in their natural habitats. But sometimes the line of cars and tens of thousands of other people talking and hiking next to you can, well… detract from the “natural” experience.
Isle Royale, on the other hand, remains seemingly untouched. As an island in the middle of Lake Superior, Isle Royale can only be reached by boat or seaplane from Michigan and Minnesota. And the only way to get around the 893 square mile island is by foot or by canoe. No cars. No hotels. No blaring music. No large groups of people. No cell phone service. No wifi.
Just you, your friends, and nature’s wonders.
That alone was enough for me to sign up. But wait, there’s more…
2. The Adventure
It’s a fact: a trip to Isle Royale is built on adventure.
Once you’re dropped off on the island, you’re there until your boat or seaplane is scheduled to return (typically 4 – 6 days later). And save for a small lodge on the East side of the island, there are very few amenities anywhere, unless you count any of the following: a few campsites, outhouses, a wall of drawings outlining which berries are safe to eat, and a warning that you are not allowed to build fires on the island.
Once you arrive, you will hike on any number of “well-marked” trails that will push you to climb large hills, walk through miles of tall grasses, balance on flimsy wooden boards and tree roots, and navigate around swamps. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ll get lost once or twice as you try to make it to your next campsite before sundown.
You’ll have to filter the water you collect in order to drink it. You’ll get hit by weather. And the only items you’ll have are the ones you’re carrying on your back.
Do you smell an adventure? I think so.
Sure, to some, this can seem scary and maybe even crazy. You may be asking yourself, “Why would you subject yourself to this kind of torture?”. But I think the better question to ask is “How often do you really go all-in on something to see what you’re made of?”.
Not enough? Keep going.
3. The Beauty
I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful and diverse the landscape was across this island. The soft tides of inner lakes lulled us to sleep at our campsites. The huge trees of the forests seemed to go on for days. The stars were so clear, I felt like we could touch them. And the tall grasses were….super tall…and so obnoxious as they whipped across our faces for hours on end.
But, really, that’s the point.
At Isle Royale, you don’t just observe nature, you’re in nature. It’s not about you. It’s about experiencing and preserving the beauty of this incredible island, obnoxious tall grasses and all. And you truly begin to appreciate its beauty in big and small ways.
Take the smallest of its amazing beauties: the thimbleberry. Similar to a raspberry in shape and color, they have a sweetness that rivals that of cheesecake. So, much to Matt’s dismay, I stopped and ate those berries all along the trails. And I can say with certainty that every stop was worth it.
A larger beauty is the moose that wander across the island. There are thousands that inhabit the island and on my last day, I was lucky enough to have six or seven run right past my tent on their way to a nearby lake. I sat and watched them for hours as they cooled off in the water and relaxed.
What’s better than a beautiful locale?
4. The Achievement
It’s impossible to not feel a sense of achievement when you complete your time on Isle Royale.
I mean, after hiking 50+ miles with 40+ pounds on my back, sleeping for five nights in a tent, living on MREs and thimbleberries, filtering my water to avoid getting parasites, and having no connection to the outside world, I felt fairly accomplished.
But it wasn’t just because I had conquered my fears and gone outside of my comfort zone. (My biggest concern prior to this trip was why the hell I needed to buy a trowel and what it was supposed to be used for.) It was also because I felt incredibly lucky to be able to see something so awe-inspiring. To experience a place so full of wonder and beauty that I didn’t miss my cell phone or my comforts of home. To do something that felt bigger than myself.
So when, at the end of the trail, we discovered a tiny store that sold popsicles, wine and a few souvenirs (OMG! A hidden gem!), Matt and I dug in to celebrate. We had just achieved something great. And I hope you will too.
Isle Royale opens on April 16. Take a chance and book the trip. And let me know how you enjoy it.