Isle Royale National Park
- Wild Dirt
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Isle Royale National Park Travel Guide
Far out in Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park offers island wilderness and profound solitude. The park invites visitors to make the crossing and become part of a remote ecosystem where moose and wolves roam. Dense forests blanket ancient ridges, while rocky shores meet frigid, crystal‑clear waters. Designated a national park in 1940, it receives fewer visitors in a year than Yellowstone does in a day.
Isle Royale is an island kingdom of silence and wilderness where moose and wolves are the only neighbors, dense forests meet cold waters, and a rare solitude prevails.
How to Get There
To reach Isle Royale, travel to Michigan or Minnesota and board a ferry or seaplane. From Houghton, Michigan, about 200 miles north of Green Bay, the Ranger III ferry makes the six‑hour crossing to Rock Harbor. Copper Harbor, 52 miles north of Houghton, offers a 3.5‑hour ferry ride on the Queen IV. From Grand Portage, Minnesota, 40 miles southwest of Thunder Bay, the Voyageur II and Sea Hunter III reach Windigo in 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Seaplanes depart from Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) or Grand Marais, Minnesota. Cars are not permitted on the island; visitors must leave vehicles on the mainland.
Know Before You Go
The park is open April through October; ferry schedules vary by season. Entrance fees are charged at the time of ticket purchase. Pack everything you need—there are no supplies on the island. Reservations are required for ferry or plane transportation, as well as for specific campgrounds. Beware of cold water temperatures, which average around 40°F, and sudden storms. Carry drinking water filters; lake water requires treatment. Pets are not allowed on the island. Expect no cell service.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (July–August) offers the warmest weather and longest ferry schedules, though mosquitoes can be intense. June and September are cooler with fewer insects. September and early October provide fall colors and a sense of solitude. Early spring and late fall crossings are weather-dependent.
Best Things to Do
Backpack from Rock Harbor to Windigo along the Greenstone Ridge Trail for a multiday adventure. Day hike to Scoville Point from Rock Harbor. Paddle sea kayaks around the island's fjord‑like bays, exploring hidden coves and lighthouses—dive shipwrecks in some of the most pristine waters of the Great Lakes. Attend ranger talks at Rock Harbor Lodge. Watch for moose browsing along shorelines or the tracks of the island's wolves.
Best Hikes
Greenstone Ridge Trail (40 miles, strenuous): Backpack across the island's backbone with panoramic lake views.
Scoville Point (4.2 miles, moderate): Coastal trail from Rock Harbor with wildflower meadows and rocky ledges.
Lookout Louise Trail (2.5 miles, moderate): Short but steep climb to a sweeping view of Moskey Basin.
Feldtmann Lake Loop (32 miles, strenuous): Multiday circuit through remote terrain to Feldtmann Lake and Rainbow Cove.
Places to Stay
Backcountry camping is the primary lodging; over 30 designated campgrounds with shelters and tent sites are scattered along the shoreline and trails. Permits are required and can be obtained at ranger stations. Rock Harbor Lodge and Windigo Camper Cabins provide the only roofed accommodations and must be booked in advance. Most visitors stay overnight on the island for several days; day trips are limited.
Places to Eat
Pack all your food, as there are no grocery stores nearby. Rock Harbor Lodge features a restaurant and grill that are open during peak season. Bring lightweight, high‑calorie meals and a camp stove. In Houghton or Copper Harbor, stock up on provisions at local grocery stores and enjoy a fish fry and pasties before or after your trip.
