How To Visit Isle Royale National Park
Name: Isle Royale National Park
Location: Michigan (closest to Ontario and easiest to get to from Minnesota)
Established: 1940
Size: 571,790 acres
Annual Visitors: 28,196 people visited in 2017 (link)
Rock Harbor Entrance Sign
Located in the middle of Lake Superior, Isle Royale (pronounced ROY-al) National Park is a vast and rugged experience to behold. Isle Royale is one of the least visited national parks in the United States and annually caters to a special group of seasonal backpackers, paddlers, and everyday people who want to experience a secluded outdoor wonder. Camping, hiking, and paddling opportunities are abundant. No cars or bikes are found on the island, allowing visitors to explore the miles of trails on foot.
Going to Isle Royale National Park is not a spur of the moment trip; it’s not fast nor cheap to get to at all. Since the park is only accessible by boat or seaplane, it’s impossible to hop in the car and visit. Travelers who are willing to put in the effort to plan a trip here will be rewarded with a remote and unparalleled wilderness experience like no other national park.
View of Lake Superior from Suzy’s Cave
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TRAVEL TIPS:
- Plan, plan, and plan some more – For the best possible experience, plan ahead. Know how you’re going to get to the island (ferry or seaplane) and book those tickets in advance. For backpackers, know your hiking and camping itinerary in advance and think about how you’ll purify water. For lodge guests, book reservations ahead as rooms can fill up quickly. For anyone visiting the island, bring good rain gear and sturdy hiking boots with ankle support. Pack everything you’ll need and bring it onto the island with you. There’s a well-stocked store in Rock Harbor and also a small store in Windigo for items you may have forgotten, though the high prices will have you questioning whether or not you actually need to purchase said forgotten items.
- Limited cell phone service – You’ll have very little if any cell phone service on the island. Plan accordingly by bringing along good old fashioned paper maps. If you’re going to split up with your group to do some sightseeing, agree on a meeting time and location before you separate.
- No internet or wifi – Internet and wifi are basically non-existent. The Rock Harbor Lodge lobby has (pretty unreliable) wifi available.
- Pick up a copy of the Greenstone – The park newspaper, called the Greenstone, has a lot of helpful information once visitors arrive at the park. Snag a copy in the visitors center after getting off the ferry.
- Biting insects – Mosquitoes, black flies and horseflies are pretty prevalent during the summer in the UP. Bring long sleeves (or light-colored clothing if it’s too hot for sleeves) and insect repellent.
- Layer up – Prepare for moderate temperatures near the water even during the peak of the summer season. Warmer temperatures can be found inland. Rain gear is a must. Given the climate, expect to experience many cool days filled with light rain or consistent drizzle and abundant fog.
- Weather – Keep an eye toward the sky as weather can change at the blink of an eye. Additionally, even the best laid plans might have to be altered due to weather. High winds on the lake can cancel canoe rentals, even around Tobin Harbor. Wind, rain and especially dense fog can roll in quickly causing the cancellation of ranger-led hiking walks and sightseeing boat cruises around the island.
Tobin Harbor under heavy fog
HOW TO GET THERE:
Isle Royale National Park is an island in the middle of Lake Superior, so early planning ensures a successful experience. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. The park is 56 miles from the tip of Michigan’s upper peninsula or 18 miles from Minnesota, accessible only by boat or seaplane. Ferries depart from Copper Harbor, MI, Houghton, MI, or Grand Portage, MN. There are two arrival areas on Isle Royale: Windigo (western side of the island) and Rock Harbor (eastern side of the island). When waves are large, the ferry rides to the island can be quite rocky, making stomachs turn quickly.
The Isle Royale Queen IV docked at Tobin Harbor
Each ferry is run by a different operator and tickets are booked directly with operators. Schedules vary as do the fares, though most prices are in the $120-$160 range per round trip ticket. The most up-to-date information can be found on each operator’s website. For more specific information about the ferries and the seaplanes, see below:
Ferry Options
From Grand Portage, Minnesota – The Voyaguer II, a 65 foot twin engine diesel boat, runs via the Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Line. The voyage from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Windigo, Isle Royale takes about 2 – 2 ½ hours. This is the only ferry that provides pick-ups and drop-offs around the island at McCargoe Cove, Daisy Farm, Chippewa Harbor, and Malone Bay. These must be arranged in advance. Note that the ship runs on central time while the park is on eastern time, which must be factored in during planning. The ship’s schedule varies throughout the season but generally sticks to departing routes on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with returning routes Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
From Grand Portage, Minnesota – The Sea Hunter, a 65 foot twin engine diesel boat, also run via the Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Line. The voyage from Grand Portage, Minnesota to Windigo, Isle Royale takes about 1 ½ hours.
From Copper Harbor, Michigan – The Isle Royale Queen IV, a 100-foot long, 85-passenger vessel owned by the Isle Royale Ferry Service makes one round trip most days in the summer, running every day of the week except Wednesdays through July. The Queen IV makes trips every day of the week in August. The voyage from Copper Harbor, Michigan to Rock Harbor, Isle Royale takes a little over 3 ½ hours.
From Houghton, Michigan – The Ranger III, a 165-foot long, 128-passenger vessel, makes trips between Houghton, MI and Rock Harbor, Isle Royale on specific days of the week. The one-way trip takes about 6 hours. The ship’s schedule varies throughout the season but generally sticks to departing routes on Tuesday and Friday with returning routes on Wednesday and Saturday.
Seaplane Options
Seaplanes offer an alternative method of transportation. To arrive in the fastest amount of time and get some great aerial views of the park along the way, consider taking a seaplane via Isle Royale Seaplanes from Grand Marais, MN or Houghton, MI. This option is considerably more expensive than taking the ferry with prices ranging from $200-$260 but the upside is having a more flexible departure time and a shorter commute.
VISITOR CENTER LOCATIONS:
Houghton Visitor Center, 800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931 (open year round)
Rock Harbor Visitor Center, Northeast end of Isle Royale National Park (open seasonally)
Windigo Visitor Center, Southwest end of Isle Royale National Park (open seasonally)
WHEN TO GO:
Isle Royale National Park operates with a limited season from mid-April through the end of October. The park shuts down completely from November through mid-April due to extreme winter weather. Considering the park is only open about half of the year, it can get somewhat crowded during July and August.
Weather-wise, July and August offer the warmest temperatures. Even during the peak of summer, it’s rarely hot. The park sees highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s. In the fall, temperatures decrease along with the crowds. Average temperatures in September (63 degrees/50 degrees) and October (50 degrees/40 degrees) can feel downright cold without the right clothes.
During June and July, gnats, mosquitoes and black flies are abundant thanks to all of the interior lakes and Lake Superior.
Another important item of note: Isle Royale National Park averages about 3 inches of rain per month during the summer with the average number of rainfall days right around 12. Chances of rain are good during a summer visit, so bring rain gear and waterproof hiking boots.
Mt. Franklin overlooking the island with Canada in the distance
WHERE TO STAY:
On Isle Royale, the lodging options are pretty simple: camp at one of the many campgrounds or stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge.
Camping
On the island, there are over 20 backpacker campgrounds available and they’re first come, first served. Once a campground fills up, campers are encouraged to share their sites and shelters with others. Each campground has an outhouse and tent sites and they’re all located near a water source. Overnight campers need to have a free camping permit which is issued onsite at Windigo or Rock Harbor after the ferries dock and after a mandatory ranger talk covering Leave No Trace principles. Campers are required to have a rough itinerary detailing where to plan to camp each night; these plans can change if needed.
Campsite on Lake Superior
Lodge/Cabins
The Rock Harbor Lodge area offers the most amenities on the island, including a restaurant and snack bar, a general store, boat and canoe rentals, and a visitor’s center. Lodge rooms are modest and clean, stocked with the typical items found in a hotel, including pillows, blankets, sheets, towels, and basic toiletries like soap and shampoo. Most rooms have two full size beds with a private bathroom. There is running water and electricity but no television. For more photos, you can read our Rock Harbor Lodge Room Tour here.
Rock Harbor Lodge
WHAT TO DO:
Whether you’re planning to backpack across the island or stick to day hikes, the best way to see Isle Royale National Park is to venture out into its 165 miles of trails. Besides hiking, visitors can kayak, canoe, rent boats, and SCUBA dive to nearby shipwrecks. Rangers lead sightseeing boat tours aboard The Sandy, visiting places like Hidden Lake/Lake Louise, Edisen Fishery, the Rock Harbor Lighthouse and a Raspberry Island/Sunset Cruise There are plenty of outdoor activities here to keep visitors busy and these are limited only by the amount of time spent on the island.
For shorter stays around Rock Harbor, including those taking day-trips and those spending a night around Rock Harbor Lodge: Visitors here will find plenty of great things to do, including guided talks, ranger-led tours, and boat expeditions to some nearby locations. There are lighthouses to check out via boat trip, like Passage Island. Another option is to rent a canoe to paddle around Rock Harbor and/or Tobin Harbor. Keep in mind that Lake Superior is quite cold year round and if your boat tips over, hypothermia can set in pretty quickly. Fog can also come in without much warning, so check the marine forecast before departing. Motorized boat rentals are also another option to explore the island. Some possible sites to visit include Edisen Fishery and Rock Harbor Lighthouse across from the Daisy Farm campground. For those interested in traveling on foot, there are some good hikes near Rock Harbor including the Stoll Trail east which goes out to Scoville Point and the Rock Harbor trail west which goes out to Suzy’s Cave.
Suzy’s Cave
For shorter stays around Windigo, including those taking day-trips and those staying at the Washington Creek campground: Visitors to the western side of the island will find two short self-guided nature trail loops. It’s also possible to rent a canoe and explore the shoreline along Washington Harbor and Grace Harbor. For a longer trail, consider sticking to the Feldtmann Ridge Trail.
For those planning backcountry hikes, the Greenstone Ridge Trail, 40.4 miles across the island, is a popular choice among backpackers. It runs the full length of the island spanning from Rock Harbor to Windigo. Another option is the Rock Harbor Trail which follows the water along Rock Harbor and Moskey Basin. It’s also possible to piece together various sections around the island to choose your own adventure.
Moskey Basin
WILDLIFE TO SEE:
Despite being an island, there’s plenty of wildlife to look out for at Isle Royale. Most notably, the park is home to moose and wolves, which researchers study the connection between. There are also beavers, fox, red squirrels, rabbits, and birds like loons, swans, geese, and blue herons. Fish-wise, northern pike, trout, perch and walleye can also be found.
Lake Superior shoreline
FUN FACTS:
Isle Royale National Park is the only national park in the United States that closes completely during the off-season.
The highest point on the island is Mount Desor, 1,394 feet above sea level.
The park is comprised of 850 square mile but only 209 square miles are above water.
The island is only accessible by boat or seaplane.
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area at 31,700 square miles.
There are several well-preserved shipwrecks in the cold, fresh waters surrounding Isle Royale.
99% of Isle Royale is federally designated wilderness.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
You can find more information on the National Park Website here.
Are you planning a trip here? Check out these other posts about Isle Royale National Park.
Our goal is to visit every national park in the United States. Along the way, we’ll create a post to share basic information about the park, how to get there, things to do, fun facts, and some photos from our visit. Click here to see which other parks we’ve visited. These posts are intended to provide supplemental information. Always confirm specific details directly with the park before visiting to gather the most accurate and up-to-date travel tips.
