Midwest National Parks + FREE Checklist (2024 Update)

Welcome to the Midwest! Often referred to as flyover states, the Midwest is an often overlooked region of the United States. It’s really too bad because the Midwest National Parks are something special.

From the badlands and prairies of the Great Plains to the lakeshores of the Great Lakes, the Midwest is home to a range of hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes just waiting to be explored.

There are eight national parks to explore in the Midwest. If we include the national monuments, historical sites, memorials, and much, much more. This gives the Midwest United States a total of 54 national parks to explore.

The article is a guide to the Midwestern National Parks, including parks in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

• Tips on Visiting the Midwest National Parks
• Midwestern National Parks Map
• National Parks in the Midwest by State
• List of Midwest National Parks by Unit

Planning to explore the Midwest? Download your free Midwest National Park Checklist HERE.

How many National Parks are in the Midwest?

There are eight Midwest National Parks. They are split between Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

If we want to talk about all the National Park Service units in the Midwest, there are 54 national parks in the region. They are divided as follows:

• 8 National Parks
• 8 National Monuments
• 1 National Preserve
• 8 National Historical Parks
• 14 National Historic Sites
• 1 National Battlefield
• 1 National Battlefield Park
• 3 National Memorials
• 3 National Lakeshores
• 5 National Rivers
• 2 National Scenic Trails

Tips on Visiting the Midwest National Parks

Best Time to Visit the National Parks in the Midwest

The best time to visit the National Parks in the Midwest can vary depending on your preferences, the specific park you plan to visit, and the activities you want to enjoy. Besides Isle Royale, most midwest parks are open and reasonably accessible year-round.

However, here are some general guidelines for the optimal times to explore the Midwest National Parks:

• Summer – The summer is the peak tourist season for all the Midwest parks. The weather is warm, the days are long, and all the parks are open and accessible. It is the perfect time to get out on the water and go swimming and boating.
  • My favorite midwest National Parks to visit in the summer are Isle Royale and Voyageurs.
• Fall – Fall is one of the best times to visit the Midwest. The weather is cooler, the crowds are mostly gone, and the leaves are starting to change.
  • My favorite midwest National Parks to visit in the fall are Indiana Dunes and Theodore Roosevelt.
• Winter – Winter travel in the Midwest needs proper planning and preparation. Most of the parks experience snowy, windy, and cold winters. That said, there are some Midwest parks that are great for winter activities such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
  • My favorite midwest National Parks to visit in the winter are Cuyahoga Valley, Voyageurs, and Gateway Arch.
• Spring – In the spring, the weather is generally mild, and temperatures are comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities. Wildflowers are just coming into season, and wildlife is more active. There is plenty of opportunity for birdwatching and animal sightings.
  • My favorite midwest National Parks to visit in the spring are Badlands and Wind Cave.

How much does it cost to visit a Midwestern National Park? – National Park Fees & Passes

In terms of charging an entrance fee, about half the Midwest National Parks charge an entrance fee. This fee ranges from $3 per person to $30 per vehicle. These fees are covered by the America the Beautiful Pass. Several of the parks have tour and parking fees that you will probably pay. For example, Wind Cave is famous for its cave, so a cave tour is necessary.

I always recommend getting the $80 America the Beautiful Pass. The pass covers the entrance fees to all National Park Service units as well as more than 3,000 other federal lands. It is a steal if you plan to visit more than just one park in a twelve-month period.

>>> You can get the America the Beautiful Pass from REI.

Map of the Midwest United States National Parks

Planning to explore the Midwest? Download your free Midwest National Park Checklist HERE.

States of the Midwest

National Parks of the Midwest by State

Illinois

Illinois doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have four NPS units.

Other National Park Units in Illinois

Here are the Illinois Units within the Midwest Region:

• Lincoln Home National Historic Site
• New Philadelphia National Historic Site
• Pullman National Historical Park

Here are the Illinois Units within the Southeast Region:

• Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument

Learn more about the Illinois National Parks.

Indiana

Indiana has one National Park and two National Park Service units.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park is situated along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, is a remarkable natural treasure in the state of Indiana. This national park is renowned for its striking landscape, featuring 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and pristine beaches. It offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, from hiking the scenic trails to birdwatching in the vast wetlands and enjoying the beautiful lakeside beaches.

The park also showcases an array of plant and animal species, some of which are rare and endangered. Indiana Dunes National Park’s unique blend of ecological diversity and natural beauty makes it a haven for both nature enthusiasts and those seeking recreational opportunities in a stunning natural setting, all while being just a short drive from the vibrant city of Chicago.

Other National Park Units in Indiana

• George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
• Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Learn more about the Indiana National Parks.

Iowa

Iowa has two National Park units.

Other National Park Units in Iowa

• Effigy Mounds National Monument
• Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Learn more about the Iowa National Parks.

Kansas

Kansas doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have five NPS units.

Other National Park Units in Kansas

• Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
• Fort Larned National Historic Site
• Fort Scott National Historic Site
• Nicodemus National Historic Site
• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Learn more about the Kansas National Parks.

Michigan

Michigan has one National Park and five National Park Service units.

Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park is located in the northwest corner of Lake Superior. Looking at a map, one has to wonder why the island group isn’t part of Canada or Minnesota, but due to a quirk during a border dispute with surrounding states, Isle Royale ended up part of Michigan.

Isle Royale is a remote wilderness that stands is one of the most isolated and least-visited national parks in the United States. The park encompasses Isle Royale and over 400 smaller islands, allowing visitors to explore its stunning landscapes, including dense forests, crystal-clear lakes, and rugged shorelines.

Isle Royale is also home to a thriving wolf and moose population, a natural experiment in predator-prey dynamics.

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this park provides a true escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, making it a paradise for backpackers, hikers, and kayakers.

Other National Park Units in Michigan

• Keweenaw National Historical Park
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
• River Raisin National Battlefield Park
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Learn more about the Michigan National Parks.

Minnesota

Minnesota has one National Park and five National Park Service units.

Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park, nestled in the northern reaches of Minnesota, is a remarkable water-centric national park. The park takes its name from the intrepid French-Canadian fur traders, known as voyageurs, who once plied the intricate network of waterways in the region.

With over 200 pristine lakes and an extensive labyrinth of interconnected rivers and forests, Voyageurs National Park offers a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the park’s picturesque landscapes by boat, canoe, or kayak, or venture into the wilderness on hiking trails.

The park is known for its stargazing opportunities, with minimal light pollution and dark, clear skies that make it a designated International Dark Sky Park.

Other National Park Units in Minnesota

• Grand Portage National Monument
• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Pipestone National Monument
• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

Learn more about the Minnesota National Parks.

Planning to explore the Midwest? Download your free Midwest National Park Checklist HERE.

Missouri

Missouri has one National Park and six National Park Service units.

Gateway Arch National Park (a future National Monument)

Gateway Arch National Park is located in St. Louis, Missouri, next to the Mississippi River. At the heart of this park stands the Gateway Arch, a gleaming, stainless steel structure that soars 630 feet into the sky. This architectural marvel commemorates the pioneers who explored and settled the American frontier during the 19th century, as well as the vital role St. Louis played as the “Gateway to the West.”

The park surrounding the Arch offers visitors a chance to delve into the rich history of this era through informative exhibits, a museum, and the opportunity to ride the unique tram system to the top of the Arch, providing stunning panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River.

Why do I want Gateway Arch to be demoted to a National Memorial or Monument?

Bring on the pitchforks from the St. Louisans, but let’s be realistic: the park is 91 acres that are either concrete, buildings, and maintained lawn with a little bit of river frontage. The next smallest National Park is Hot Springs National Park, at 5,500 acres.

When one thinks of a National Park, one thinks of wide swaths of natural spaces famous for the nature. That isn’t Gateway Arch. Its most famous features are all man-made, and there is almost nothing in the park that is natural.

Yes, I know that Hot Springs has the bathhouses, Mesa Verde has the cliff dwellings, and Dry Tortugas has Fort Jefferson. But all three of those features included an element of nature that is minimally developed. Dry Tortugas and Mesa Verde could be Natioanl Parks without the human element. Hot Springs may not, and I wouldn’t be opposed to making Hot Springs a National Historical Park or Historic Site.

Other National Park Units in Missouri

• George Washington Carver National Monument
• Harry S Truman National Historic Site
• Ozark National Scenic Riverways
• Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
• Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Learn more about the Missouri National Parks.

Nebraska

Nebraska has five National Park units.

Other National Park Units in Nebraska

• Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
• Homestead National Historical Park
• Missouri National Recreational River
• Niobrara National Scenic River
• Scotts Bluff National Monument

Learn more about the Nebraska National Parks.

North Dakota

North Dakota has one National Park and three National Park Service units.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is made up of three units in the Badlands of North Dakota. The park honors the America’s most iconic president and conservationist – Theodore Roosevelt. The park includes some of his unsuccessful North Dakota cattle operations and his original cabin.

This national park boasts a unique and striking landscape characterized by colorful badlands, sprawling prairies, and a diverse range of wildlife. Visitors to the park can explore scenic trails, taking in the dramatic vistas and observing the bison, wild horses, pronghorns, and other species that call this wilderness home.

Other National Park Units in North Dakota

• Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
• Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
• North Country National Scenic Trail

Learn more about the North Dakota National Parks.

Ohio

Ohio has one National Park and eight National Park Service units.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a sprawling urban national park. It serves as a green refuge between Akron and Cleveland. The Cuyahoga River winds through the park’s lush landscapes, creating waterfalls, gorges, and serene wetlands, while a mix of deciduous forests and open meadows provides a haven for a variety of wildlife.

Visitors to the park can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail to birdwatching and exploring historical sites like the Stanford House and the Brandywine Falls. One can also ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Other National Park Units in Ohio

• Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
• First Ladies National Historic Site
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
• James A. Garfield National Historic Site
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial
• William Howard Taft National Historic Site

Learn more about the Ohio National Parks.

South Dakota

South Dakota has one National Park and four National Park Service units.

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is located in southwestern South Dakota. The park’s iconic terrain is a striking tableau of rugged, eroded buttes, deep canyons, and a kaleidoscope of sedimentary rock layers, which have been carved by wind and water over millennia. This unique geology, coupled with the dramatic color palette of red, orange, and white, creates a visual spectacle that is truly one of a kind.

Beyond its surreal beauty, Badlands is a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and coyotes. Visitors can explore the park via numerous hiking trails, witness fossil remnants of ancient creatures, and savor the solitude and silence of this remarkable wilderness.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is a cave-focused National Park located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The park’s cave system is one of the world’s longest and most complex cave systems, with over 140 miles of explored passageways adorned with intricate boxwork formations and calcite crystals. Visitors can take guided tours into the ethereal depths of the cave, where they can marvel at the natural beauty hidden beneath the surface.

Above ground, the park showcases a diverse mix of prairies, forests, and wildlife. Two of the most important species in the park are the prairie dogs and the black-footed ferret. The black-footed ferret was once declared extinct, and today the park has a thriving population of 40-60 ferrets.

Other National Park Units in South Dakota

• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
• Missouri National Recreational River
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Learn more about the South Dakota National Parks.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin doesn’t have any National Parks, but it does have four NPS units.

Other National Park Units in Wisconsin

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
• Ice Age National Scenic Trail
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

Learn more about the Wisconsin National Parks.

Planning to explore the Midwest? Download your free Midwest National Park Checklist HERE.

List of the National Parks in the Midwest by Unit

National Parks of the Midwest

• Badlands National Park (SD)
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH)
• Gateway Arch National Park (MO)
• Indiana Dunes National Park (IN)
• Isle Royale National Park (MI)
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park (ND)
• Voyageurs National Park (MN)
• Wind Cave National Park (SD)

National Monuments of the Midwest

• Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument (OH)
• Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (NE)
• Effigy Mounds National Monument (IA)
• George Washington Carver National Monument (MO)
• Grand Portage National Monument (MN)
• Jewel Cave National Monument (SD)
• Pipestone National Monument (MN)
• Scotts Bluff National Monument (NE)

National Preserves of the Midwest

• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

National Historical Parks of the Midwest

• Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park (KS)
• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park (OH)
• George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (IN)
• Homestead National Historical Park (NE)
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (OH)
• Keweenaw National Historical Park (MI)
• Pullman National Historical Park (IL)
• Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park (MO)

National Historic Sites of the Midwest

• First Ladies National Historic Site  (OH)
• Fort Larned National Historic Site (KS)
• Fort Scott National Historic Site (KS)
• Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (ND)
• Harry S Truman National Historic Site (MO)
• Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (IA)
• James A. Garfield National Historic Site (OH)
• Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (ND)
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site (IL)
• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (SD)
• New Philadelphia National Historic Site (IL)
• Nicodemus National Historic Site (KS)
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (MO)
• William Howard Taft National Historic Site (OH)

National Battlefield of the Midwest

• Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (MO)

National Battlefield Park of the Midwest

• River Raisin National Battlefield Park (MI)

National Memorials of the Midwest

• Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (IN)
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial (SD)
• Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (OH)

National Lakeshores of the Midwest

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (WI)
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI)
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI)

National Rivers of the Midwest

• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MN)
• Missouri National Recreational River (NE, SD)
• Niobrara National Scenic River (NE)
• Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO)
• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (MN, WI)

National Scenic Trails of the Midwest

• Ice Age National Scenic Trail (WI)
• North Country National Scenic Trail (MI, MN, ND, NY, OH, PA, WI)

Associated Units of the Midwest

Associated National Trails of the Midwest

• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN)
• California National Historic Trail (CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OR, UT, WY)
• Pony Express National Historic Trail (CA, CO, KS, MO, NE, NV, UT, WY)
• Santa Fe National Historic Trail (CO, KS, MO, NM, OK)
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (ID, IL, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, ND, OR, SD, WA)
• Oregon National Historic Trail (ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WA, WY)
• Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail (IL, IA, NE, UT, WY)
• North Country National Scenic Trail (MI, MN, ND, NY, OH, PA, WI)

National Heritage Areas of the Midwest

• Motor City National Heritage Area (MI)
• National Aviation Heritage Area (OH)

National Rivers of the Midwest

• Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO)

National Memorial of the Midwest

• David Berger National Memorial (OH)

Associated National Historic Sites of the Midwest

• Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis National Historic Site (OH)

Planning to explore the Midwest? Download your free Midwest National Park Checklist HERE.

Final Thoughts of the National Parks of the Midwest

I hope you have learned a little bit about the National Parks of the Midwest and are ready to get out and explore the Midwestern National Parks. If you are interested in the National Parks of other regions, click below;

• Midwest National Parks
• Rockies National Parks
• Southeast National Parks
• Southwest National Parks
• West Coast National Parks

Pin for later: Midwest National Parks