10 Best National Park Hikes

Best Island Hike

Greenstone Ridge Trail, Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Hugging the ridgeline above Lake Superior’s forested Isle Royal (technically part of Michigan), the 40-mile Greenstone Ridge Trail runs down the spine of the skinny 9-mile wide island. It’s the Midwest’s version of an exotic island hike, but with scenic views of Lake Superior—the biggest lake in the world—not to mention moose and deer on its heavily forested trail, its about as rustic as island hikes can get. For a moderate 3-night/4-day trip, pick up the trailhead at Windigo Visitor Center in the southeast and simply stick to the trail until you reach Rock Harbor Visitor Center in the northwest. The modest (but rewarding) 1,394-foot climb up Mount Desor with views of Isle Royal’s surrounding islets makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world.