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National park on Isle Royale, Michigan, US
Photo: Todd VerBeek, (WT-en) TVerBeek at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Isle Royale National Park is a national park comprising Isle Royale and the surrounding waters and small islands, a wilderness preserve in northwest Lake Superior. It's easily identified on maps of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior resembles the profile of a snarling wolf; Isle Royale is the eye. Although it's closer to Ontario, Canada, or even Minnesota, USA, it's part of the state of Michigan. Its French name might lead you to pronounce it "eel roy-AL", but the common pronunciation is the anglicized version, "ile ROY-ul".
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50 ft tall cylindrical tower built in 1855.
A collection of seven buildings making up a commercial fishery, built in 1895.
Built in 1882.
The Greenstone (named for the colored mineral-bearing "gemstone" embedded in the rock various places on the island) runs nearly the full length of the island, along its spine. Its western end is at the Windigo ranger station and its eastern end is across Tobin Harbor from the station at Snug Harbor. (Most hikers go around Tobin Harbor to join the Greenstone at Mount Franklin.) It ranges from easy to moderately difficult hiking for 5-6 days, and is easy to follow.
A mostly easy-to-moderate hike, largely along the shore of Rock Harbor and near Moskey Basin, then inland to Lake Richie. You can do it as an out-and-back hike (4-5 days), as half of a loop with the Greenstone (4-6 days), or get dropped off at Chippewa Harbor and hike back to Snug Harbor (2-3 days).
Along with a segment of the Greenstone, these trails form a loop starting and ending at Windigo. It's moderately difficult hiking both through wetlands and over ridges, and takes 3-4 days.
This series of trails between and around several interior lakes crosses the island from Chippewa Harbor to McCargoe Cove. Moderately difficult up-and-down-and-up-and-down hiking, taking 1-2 days.
This rugged, less-groomed trail is harder to follow than the others, on a ridge near the north shore, from McCargoe Cove to Windigo. It takes 4-5 difficult days to hike, the western-most segment being nearly 13 miles between campgrounds.
A series of lakes connected by relatively short portages runs from Chippewa Harbor through Lakes Whittlesey, Wood, Siskiwit (the island's largest), Intermediate, and Richie, reaching territory inaccessible by hikers. A 2-mile portage connects Lake Richie to Moskey Basin and Rock Harbor. (With a special permit, you can camp anywhere along the shorelines of the canoe-only lakes.)
To cross the island via inland lakes, there's a 1.2-mile portage from Chippewa Harbor to Lake Richie, somewhat shorter ones to Lakes LeSage, Livermore, and Chickenbone, then another hike to McCargoe Cove (roughly following the Indian Portage Trail). This route crosses the Greenstone Ridge, so those short portages are difficult.
Starting from McCargoe Cove, a series of channels, coves, and bays on the northeast end of the island provide a reasonably safe, sheltered route through the waters of Lake Superior back to Rock Harbor. This route includes a few fairly short portages, and one heartbreaker up over the Greenstone to avoid a dangerous paddle around the exposed tip of the island.
For experienced sea kayakers only (canoes aren't safe in the open waters of Superior, and even kayaks are advised to stick close to shore) you can make your way by a series of lakeside campgrounds from Rock Harbor to Windigo, portage-free.
Nothing too fancy, but pleasant. This is where lodge guests on the meals-included "American Plan" eat, but "European Plan" guests, cabin guests, and campers are also welcome (though if you're just coming in off a week on the trails, buying a shower first would be a nice courtesy). The lake trout is really fresh, but be prepared to pay premium prices for the luxury of kitchen-prepared food in the wilderness.
Simple fare such as burgers, sandwiches, pizza, coffee, and drinks. Very reasonably priced, given the location, and it's so much nicer to hear the crunch of fresh lettuce and onions on a burger than the crunch of unreconstituted freeze-dried peas in your beef stew.
Simple cold sandwiches; the only source of prepared food on the west end of the island.
2 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Merritt Lane Campground is all the way out on Blake Point, access in a narrow channel protected from Superior. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. One individual tent site and one shelter are available. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 8'. Boats can overnight at dock. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (Tobin Harbor).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Duncan Narrows Campground is located in the shadow of Lookout Louise. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. One individual tent site and two shelters. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 6'. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (Duncan Bay).
23 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 20 sites are first-come, first-served. Rock Harbor Campground is the most civilized campground, in the suburbs of Snug Harbor, with drinking water, showers, and toilets a short walk away. Consecutive night stay limit is one night from June 1 - September 15 annually. Eleven individual tent sites, nine shelters, and three group tent sites. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 3'-12'. Additional fees for boats to stay overnight at marina. Accessible by trail (Rock Harbor, Tobin Harbor), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Tobin or Rock Harbor).
2 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Tookers Island Campground is on a small but wooded barrier island in Rock Harbor. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Two shelters are available. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 7'. Boats can overnight at dock. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (Rock Harbor).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Duncan Bay Campground is located on a nice peninsula sticking into the bay. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. One individual tent site and two shelters. Normal conditions for depth at dock are 6'. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (Duncan Bay).
5 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Lane Cove Campground is the only trail site on the northeast bays. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights. There are five individual tent sites available. No motorboat access. Accessible by trail (Lane Cove Trail) or canoe/kayak (Lane Cove).
15 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 12 sites are first-come, first-served. Three Mile Campground is right on the edge of Rock Harbor. It is somewhat busier than most campgrounds as it is a short hike from ferry dock at Snug Harbor. Consecutive night stay limit is one night from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Four individual tent sites, eight shelters, and three group tent sites are available. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 9'. Boats can overnight at dock. Accessible by trail (Rock Harbor, Mount Franklin), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Rock Harbor).
7 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. A former resort site with lovely sunrises. Consecutive night stay limit is 5 nights, effective 6/1 - Labor Day. One individual tent site and six shelters. Normal conditions of depth at dock is 13'. Boats can use dock for overnight stays. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (Belle Harbor).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Consecutive night stay limit is 3 nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. One individual tent site and two shelters on site. Normal conditions of depth at dock is 10' Boats can dock overnight. Accessible by canoe/kayak accessible or motorboat (Rock Harbor).
25 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 22 sites are first-come, first-served. Isle Royale's largest campground is a sprawling and often busy crossroads in Rock Harbor Channel, off of the Rock Harbor Trail, Daisy Farm Trail, and Mount Ojibway Trail. There is a ranger resident here, with informational programs offered many evenings. Good place to swim when the weather is warm. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Six individual tent sites, sixteen shelters, and three group sites. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Normal conditions of depth at dock is 9'. Accessible by trail (Rock Harbor, Daisy Farm, Mount Ojibway), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Rock Harbor).
1 site. All sites are first-come, first-served. Pickerel Cove Campground is secluded with lots of waterfowl. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. One individual tent site is available. No dock for motorboats. Canoe/kayak access from Pickerel Cove or via .1 mile portage from Lake Superior. Accessible by canoe/kayak (Pickerel Cove).
2 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Small campground with a view of Superior. Consecutive night stay limit of 3 nights June 1 - Labor Day annually. One individual tent site and one shelter on site. Normal conditions of depth at dock is 5'. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (McCargoe Cove).
10 sites, 2 group sites. 2 sites can be reserved in advance, 8 sites are first-come, first-served. Moskey Basin Campground is at the scenic cul-du-sac of Rock Harbor. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Two individual tent sites, six shelters, and two group tent sites are available. Normal conditions for depth at dock 8'. Boats can overnight at dock. Canoe/kayak access from Rock Harbor Channel or via 2.0 mile portage from Lake Richie. Accessible by trail (Rock Harbor, Lake Richie), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Moskey Basin).
7 sites, 1 group site. 1 site can be reserved in advance, 6 sites are first-come, first-served. Low cliffs overlooking Superior, good fishing nearby, fire rings. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Two individual tent sites, four shelters, and one group site. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Normal conditions of depth at dock is 7'. Accessible by trail (Indian Portage), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Chippewa Harbor).
4 sites, 1 group site. 1 site can be reserved in advance, 3 sites are first-come, first-served. An inland campground that is quiet, but the water supply is a short hike away down a hill, and is not particularly appealing. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Three individual tent sites and one group site. No motorboat access. Canoe/kayak access using 1.2 mile portage from McCargoe Cove or .2 mile portage from Lake Livermore. Be aware that the campground is not on the shoreline - West Chickenbone Campground is more accessible for watercraft. Accessible by trail (Greenstone, East Chickenbone).
12 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 9 sites are first-come, first-served. McCargoe Cove Campground is a popular moose wading location across the cove, community fire ring, no alcohol, 3 group and 3 individual tent sites (up the hill from the cove), 6 shelters (most with views of the water). The Minong Mine (the best preserved on the island) is nearby. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 7'. Boats can overnight at dock. Canoe/kayak access from Lake Superior or 1.2 mile portage from Chickenbone Lake. Accessible by trail (Indian Portage, Minong), canoe/kayak or motorboat (McCargoe Cove).
6 sites, 2 group sites. 2 sites can be reserved in advance, 4 sites are first-come, first-served. Lake Richie Campground has good fishing from shore. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. There are four individual tent sites and two group tent sites. No motorboat access. Canoe/kayak access from .6 mile portage from Intermediate Lake, 2.0 mile portage from Moskey Basin, 1.2 miles portage from Chippewa Harbor, and .6 mile portage from Lake LeSage. Paddlers may want to consider staying at Lake Richie Canoe Campground. Accessible by trail (Lake Richie, Indian Portage) or canoe/kayak (Lake Richie).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Lake Richie Canoe Campground offers more good fishing. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights. There are three individual tent sites available. No motorboat access. Canoe/kayak access via the .6 mile portage from Intermediate Lake, the 1.2 mile portage from Chippewa Harbor, the 2.0 mile portage from Moskey Basin, and the .6 mile portage from Lake LeSage. (Lake Richie).
9 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 6 sites are first-come, first-served. West Chickenbone Campground is right on the lake with some very nice views. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Six individual tent sites and three group sites. No motorboat access. Canoe/kayak access from the 1.2 mile portage from McCargoe Cove or the .2 mile portage from Lake Livermore. Accessible by trail (Greenstone, Indian Portage) or canoe (Chickenbone Lake).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Intermediate Lake Campground has secluded, rocky shoreline access, and good fishing. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights. Three individual tent sites are available. Intermediate Lake can be accessed via a 0.6 -ile portage from Lake Richie or a 0.4-mile portage from Siskiwit Lake. No motorboat access. Accessible by canoe/kayak (Intermediate Lake).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Lake Whittlesey Campground offers good fishing. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights. Three individual tent sites are available. No motorboat access. Canoe/kayak access via .6 mile portage from Wood Lake and .6 mile portage from Chippewa Harbor (Lake Whittlesey).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Wood Lake Campground overlooks the shoreline for good moose viewing. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Three individual tent sites are available. Wood Lake can be accessed via a 0.6-mile portage from Lake Whittlesey or from Siskiwit Lake. No motorboat access. Accessible by canoe/kayak (Wood Lake).
9 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 6 sites are first-come, first-served. Todd Harbor Campground offers great sunsets into distant Ontario, is sometimes breezy, and has a community fire ring. There's a mine pit and a cascading creek a short distance to the west. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Five individual tent sites, one shelter, and three group tent sites are available. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 2'. Boats can overnight at dock. Accessible by trail (Minong) canoe/kayak or motorboat (Todd Harbor).
7 sites, 2 group sites. 2 sites can be reserved in advance, 5 sites are first-come, first-served. Malone Bay Campground has a beautiful view and pebble beaches, and a ranger station. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Five shelters and two group tent sites are available. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 3'-6'. Boats can overnight at dock. Accessible by trail (Ishpeming), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Malone Bay).
8 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 5 sites are first-come, first-served. Hatchet Lake Campground is located among the birch and thimbleberries near the lake. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. There are five individual tent sites and three group tent sites. No canoe/kayak or motorboat access. Accessible by trail (Greenstone, Hatchet Lake).
4 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights. Four individual tent sites are available. No motorboat access. Canoe/kayak access. Accessible by trail (Minong).
1 site. All sites are first-come, first-served. Hay Bay Campground is a safe haven for south-shore boaters. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. One individual tent site is available. Normal conditions of depth at dock is 3'-7'. Boats can overnight at dock. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (Hay Bay).
10 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 7 sites are first-come, first-served. South Lake Desor Campground is a short climb above the lake shoreline among the birch and thimbleberry plants. The consecutive night stay limit if two nights from June 1 - Labor Day. There are seven individual tent sites and three group sites. No canoe/kayak or motorboat access. Accessible by trail (Greenstone).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. North Desor Campground is a long hike from Windigo (or Little Todd) with a good view of the lake. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day. Three individual tent sites are available. No canoe/kayak or motorboat access. Accessible by trail (Minong).
9 sites, 3 group sites. 3 sites can be reserved in advance, 6 sites are first-come, first-served. Siskiwit Bay Campground is warmer with nice beaches, community fire ring, no alcohol. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Four individual tent sites, two shelters, and three group tent sites are available. Normal conditions for depth at dock are 2'-6'. Boats can overnight at dock. Accessible by trail (Feldtmann, Island Mine), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Siskiwit Bay).
6 sites, 2 group sites. 2 sites can be reserved in advance, 4 sites are first-come, first-served. Island Mine Campground is the only campground not by a lake (its water supply is a stream down the hill a short distance) with a "deep woods" character. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Four individual tent sites and two group tent sites are available. No canoe/kayak or motorboat access. Accessible by trail (Island Mine, near Greenstone).
19 sites, 4 group sites. 4 sites can be reserved in advance, 15 sites are first-come, first-served. Washington Creek Campground is near Windigo, drinking water, showers/toilets a quarter-mile away, view of a wide creek popular with moose. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Five individual tent sites (most with little privacy), ten shelters, and four group tent sites are available. Boats can stay at Windigo Dock (average depth at dock 4'-20') or stay and walk .3 miles to campground. Accessible by trail (Greenstone, Minong, Feldtmann), canoe/kayak or motorboat (Washington Harbor).
5 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Hugunnin Cove Campground is a secluded little cove on the rugged north shore. Consecutive night stay limit is three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. Five individual tent sites are available. No dock available for boats. Accessible by trail (Huginnin Cove).
3 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. A three shelter campground on Beaver Island in the center of Washington Harbor, near Windigo. All the shelters face the water. Consecutive stay night limit of 3 nights effective from 6/1 - Labor Day annually. Three shelters on site. Normal conditions for depth at dock is 2' - 5'. Boats can stay at dock overnight. Accessible by canoe/kayak (Washington Harbor).
7 sites, 2 group sites. 2 sites can be reserved in advance, 5 sites are first-come, first-served. Feldtmann Lake Campground is on the SW edge of the lake and has good moose viewing. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. There are five individual tent sites and two group tent sites. Accessible by trail (Feldtmann Ridge).
2 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Consecutive night stay limit it three nights from June 1 - Labor Day annually. There are two shelters available. Normal conditions of depth at dock is 2'-4'. Boats can dock overnight. Accessible by canoe/kayak or motorboat (Grace Harbor).
The only option for those wanting a bed and four walls, the lodge offers both modest modern hotel rooms overlooking Rock Harbor and Lake Superior, and modern duplex "housekeeping" cabins inland with nice big picture-window views of the surrounding trees, all a short stroll from the dock.
By ferry
Almost all visitors get to and from Isle Royale via scheduled ferry services:
By floatplane
Floatplane service is available from Houghton. It's considerably more expensive than the ferries, but the trip takes a fraction of the time, and offers nice aerial views.
By private boat
Private motorboats also come to the island, mostly from Grand Portage, Minnesota, next from Michigans' Upper Peninsula, most infrequently from nearby Thunder Bay, Ontario.S.
By foot
A 165-mile network of groomed trails connects most areas of the island. These are unpaved, and only somewhat improved, with exposed roots and stone common.
By paddle
Several of the inland lakes and protected inlets of Lake Superior are connected by portages ranging from a few dozen feet to a few miles.
By water taxi
The Sandy, a water taxi operated by Rock Harbor Lodge & Marina, can take you to various places on the east end of the island. (+1 906-337-4993) It's fairly costly, especially for small groups.
By water bus
The island's bus is the Voyageur II.
By plane
If you simply must get from one end of the island to the other on a tight schedule, the floatplane service may be able to accommodate you, but advance notice and reservations are required, and the…
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