• Introduction
• 1. Baxter State Park
• 2. Channel Islands National Park
• 3. Denali National Park and Preserve
• 4. Everglades National Park
• 5. Isle Royale National Park
• 6. National Bison Range
• 7. Safari West
• 8. San Juan Islands
• 9. Tucson’s Sonoran Desert
• 10. Yellowstone National Park

Isle Royale National Park

Best for: moose, gray wolves, loons, red fox, and pelicans

Visitors to Michigan's Isle Royale National Park gladly trade in the mainland's world of cell phone reception and human development for this remote, pristine island wildlife preserve (reachable only by boat or seaplane) surrounded by Lake Superior. The rich scents of spruce and pine fill the air here with a natural perfume, which indulges hikers as they ply the meandering trails that wind deep into dense forests and hug the rocky coastline. These paths reveal a rich feast of sights and sounds, from magnificent moose grazing in the distance to the haunting call of a loon or lonely gray wolf echoing across the water. www.nps.gov/isro

Smart Splurge Hotel: Within day-trip striking distance of the island park (reached by ferry in nearby Grand Portage, Minnesota), the rustic chic Sweetgrass Cove Guesthouse and Bodywork Studio is a welcome oasis after a day in the wild, serving as both a bed-and-breakfast and mini-spa, complete with an outdoor hot tub and Finnish sauna. www.sweetgrasscove.com

Great Value Lodging: Bunk down at one of some three dozen campsites maintained by the park service on Isle Royale – the Feldtmann Lake #2 site is the ultimate for moose sightings and tranquil lake vistas. www.nps.gov/isro

When to Go: Wildlife emerges from May through September when sunshine and food sources are plentiful – note that the park is closed from November to mid-April.

See Sonoma Travel Guide | See Montana Travel GuideSee Maine Travel Guide