River Raisin National Battlefield Park
Commemorating the War of 1812’s January 1813 battles, which took place in this area of southeastern Michigan just 35 miles south of downtown Detroit, this park features cannons and monuments that help tell the story of the River Raisin Battle, where Tecumseh’s American Indian confederation declared victory. The park is among the most visited monuments in Springwells, and was once home to indigenous settlements and burials. A visit to the park includes educational learning but can also fold in outdoor recreation, such as a hike or bicycle ride on the trails. There is no camping at the park although several campgrounds are nearby, including River Raisin Marina & Campground, just one mile away.
ADDRESS:333 N Dixie Hwy, Monroe, MI 48162, USA
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Keweenaw National Historic Park
Established in 1992, this Upper Peninsula park within the Keweenaw Peninsula celebrates two historical significances: the only place in the U.S. where aboriginal copper mining occurred (until the 1900s), and where the world’s largest lava flow resides. The park’s 21 historical sites tell the story of this rich cultural heritage and why copper mining thrived here. For visitors who adore culture as much as they do natural resources, this park combines both with sites open for self-guided tours that include the Calumet Theatre (an opera house dating back to the early 1900s that still hosts theatrical and musical performances today), the Finnish American Heritage Center & Historical Archive (exhibits about the region’s Finnish immigrants), Laurium Manor Mansion (a 45-room mansion built in 1908), Hanka Homestead Museum (a 1920s Finnish farm once owned by a former miner) and Delaware Copper Mine (among the world’s oldest copper mines). To further step back in time, guided tours of Old Victoria’s four restored log cabins are offered, emulating what life was like for copper miners.
ADDRESS:25970 Red Jacket Rd, Calumet, MI 49913, USA