"Middle Islands Passage, Isle Royale National Park, 2015." by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
![]() | Isle RoyaleVisitor Guide 2023 |
Visitor Guide to Isle Royale National Park (NP) in Michigan. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
featured in
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covered parks
Your Guide to Isle Royale National Park
www.nps.gov/isro
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
A Legacy of Partnerships
The view from Feldtmann Fire Tower has a way of inviting you to sit down and stay awhile. Here, hikers pause to enjoy the scenery—
a mixed-forest cascading to the Lake Superior shoreline. This lookout is not just a destination on a map, it’s also a symbol of the past.
The year is 1935; Company 2699 of the Civilian Conservation Corps arrives on Isle Royale. This arrival set in motion a lasting legacy:
between 1935 and 1941, 400 CCC enrollees, supervised by the Army and directed by the NPS, built the bones of the Isle Royale we
know and love today. Evidence of this past partnership is everywhere—trails and campgrounds were established, docks installed,
and buildings constructed—such as the original wooden Feldtmann Fire Tower located close to the modern structure. This legacy of
partnership, imprinted by the CCC, propels Isle Royale forward today.
Each year, numerous researchers, nonprofits, and governmental and tribal agencies make invaluable contributions to the park. In
2022, WisCorps repaired 400 feet of boardwalk, Old Northwest worked to preserve the historic integrity of the Dassler, Siefert, and
Stack-Wolbrink cabins, and researchers completed the 61st year of the well-known wolf-moose/predator-prey study. These partners,
inspired by their first, second, or many visits to the island, saw an opportunity to support the park for future generations.
Your visit to Isle Royale is the latest collaboration in a long line of partnerships. What legacy will you leave?
Bridget Byrne, Park Ranger
Welcome to Isle Royale National Park
Your national park is supported by many partners. Some of these partners are
individuals, some are organizations, and some are advocates, artists, or academics. All
started with a single visit.
Whether you realize it or not, your visit contributes to the stewardship of Isle Royale.
Maybe your contribution is sharing stories and photos back home with friends and
family. Maybe you are interested in donating your expertise as a future volunteer or in
a career opportunity.
Each experience we build here, in this island wilderness, binds us together as partners.
Let the legacy of partnership in this edition of The Greenstone, along with your
adventures, inspire how you’ll engage with Isle Royale after your own “island time.”
With gratitude for your partnership and support,
Denice Swanke, Superintendent
Printing courtesy of Isle
Royale and Keweenaw
Parks Association.
Printed by Christensen
Printing & Publishing
on recycled paper
using agri-based inks.
Please recycle.
Partnerships: #YourParkStory..................2-3
Paddling, Diving, Fishing...........................9..
Your Safety Is Your Responsibility.................4
Visitor Centers, Programs, Lodging..........10..
Protect Your Park.........................................5
Transportation Services...........................11..
Map, Campgrounds,Trails........................6-7
Contacts, Fees, Park Store........................12..
Camping, Boating........................................8
Partnerships: #YourParkStory
Partners in Sustainability
Looking at Lake Superior from Isle Royale, it’s easy to feel like we’ve “gotten
away from it all.” But it is clear that climate change is already impacting our
remote island.
One of the world’s fastest warming lakes, Superior’s cold-water fisheries are
declining, water levels rise and fall dramatically, and powerful storms batter
recreational, cultural, and historical resources, such as docks and lighthouses.
Starting in 2023, National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) is
collaborating with multiple sources to promote decarbonizing all five Lake
Superior national parks and increase climate resiliency. For Isle Royale, that means trading fossil fuels for
renewable energy solutions. Together, we can help visitors, real and virtual, understand what is at stake and what is possible.
Tom Irvine, National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, www.nplsf.org
Partners in Heritage
Partners in Conservation
Members of the nonprofit Isle Royale Families & Friends
Association (IRFFA) work to preserve over 100 years
of the history, culture, and community of this remote
island. Honoring a tradition of community reliance,
IRFFA members work together on maintenance projects,
such as opening seasonal cabins, painting, fixing roofs,
and repairing docks. The contributions of IRFFA, in
partnership with the NPS, help maintain nationally
significant historic camps. Next time you're out for a hike or
paddle, if you happen upon a rustic wilderness home, stop
in for some local history—you are sure to be transported to
another moment in time.
In memoriam: Isle Royale
lost three community
members in 2022: Grant
Merritt, Howard Sivertson,
Mary Merritt Scheibe
WisCorps is a youth and young adult conservation organization that
promotes land stewardship through service. Each season, WisCorps
works with Isle Royale trail crews on projects like building bridges
and enhancing erosion control.
Said WisCorps alumni Mary Hanson, "Serving for WisCorps
fostered a love for the island and ignited a passion for conservation
that led me to become a National Park Service ranger."
WisCorps
www.wiscorps.org
Isle Royale Families &
Friends Association
irffa.org
Partners in Recreation
For 27 years Isle Royale Boaters Association (IRBA) has sought to represent the
interests of power and sail boaters, sport fishermen, paddlers, backpackers, and
all who enjoy Isle Royale. Over the years, IRBA has partnered with the NPS on
numerous maintenance projects, such as restoring infrastructure on Belle Isle,
painting the Daisy Farm Campground pavilion, developing and constructing the
Windigo pavilion, and building the Windigo finger docks.
Not only does IRBA improve island facilities, we also work to combat invasive
species in Lake Superior and support historic preservation. IRBA is always
interested in promoting Isle Royale projects that support sustainable visitor use.
Dave Hand, Isle Royale Boaters Association
www.isleroyale.org
2 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2023
Partners in Research
Isle Royale is home to many
scientific studies, the most wellknown being the wolf-moose/
predator-prey project, now in its
62nd year. With between 20-30
research permits issued annually,
scientists from universities,
federal, state, provincial and
tribal agencies study a broad
range of environmental topics.
Through sound, scientific data, research partnerships between the park, the
scientific community, and the public, advances our collective understanding of
the natural world to support resource management decisions.
Mark Romanski, Biologist / Natural Resource Program Manager
www.nps.gov/isro/learn/science-and-research
Partners in Research
The Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring
Network is one of 32 NPS networks around
the country that bring enhanced scientific
capacity to parks. Our focus is on nine parks
in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan
region, including Isle Royale. Our primary
mission is to conduct inventories and longterm monitoring on key park resources,
which we call “vital signs.” Staff focus on
forest vegetation, water quality, and landscape
dynamics. We also help with climate, landbird,
bat, and amphibian projects. Information we
gather helps park managers understand the
landscapes within their parks.
Alex Egan, Great Lakes Inventory &
Monitoring Network
www.nps.gov/glkn
Partners in Preservation
My first glimpse of Rock of Ages Lighthouse came from a small boat,
navigating slowly through thick fog. The radar and chart plotter agreed…it
was right in front of us. It was not until we were 20 yards away that the 10-story
beacon revealed itself in the mist.
This inspired the formation of Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation
Society, a volunteer group working to restore the lighthouse and open its doors
to the public. I have returned now for 15 summers, bringing volunteers who
also have a passion for this place. I may have traveled to Isle Royale in search of
solitude, but what I found was community.
David Gerth,
Rock Of Ages
Lighthouse
Preservation
Society
rockofageslps.org
Partners in Preservation
2023 marks the 23rd year Old Northwest has recruited and
led cultural resource volunteers for service on Isle Royale.
These volunteer crews began in 1997 as an opportunity for
high school students to complete community-service hours,
and evolved into an adult volunteer program.
Each year crews of 5 to 7 individuals spend weeks in June
repairing roofs, shoring up foundations, refurbishing doors
and windows, painting building exteriors, clearing brush,
and repairing docks.
These are self-funded efforts. In addition to their generous
donations of time and skills, each volunteer makes a
monetary donation to pay for the materials, supplies, and
tools needed to accomplish each season’s projects.
John Dunn, Old Northwest Historic Preservation
Partners in Art
With assistance from the Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC), the Isle Royale Teen
Artist Exploration allows artists ages 13 to 18 to develop their craft through wilderness experience.
Previous teen artist Allison Clarke recalls: "By stepping back from the stressors of everyday life and
taking part in the program of my wildest dreams, I left Isle Royale having a newfound identity and
feeling invigorated to create the art I wanted."
Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC)
www.coppercountryarts.com
"Untitled" artwork by Allison Clarke, 2021 Isle Royale Teen Artist
How Will You Partner With The Park?
Find out more about partnership opportunities at www.nps.gov/isro/getinvolved/partners.htm.
Photos Courtesy:
Tom Brown, Nelson
Decker, Janet Dunn, David
Gerth, Kaitlyn Knick, Mary
Hanson, Valerie Martin,
Annalisa Visco, & NPS
2023 – Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park 3
Your Safety is Your Responsibility
4
Lake Superior and the island’s wilderness
present challenges and hazards to the
inexperienced or ill-prepared.
Always check
current conditions
prior to your trip.
Play It Safe
Know Before You Go
Make a Conservative Trip Plan. Plan your adventure with the least
experienced person in mind.
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use sanitizer.
Use soap at least 50 steps away from water.
Be First Aid Ready. A first aid kit is a must. Be trained, experienced,
and equipped to deal with common injuries.
Emergencies
Plan Ahead
Plan for Problems. What will you do if someone gets injured or lost?
How will you self-rescue?
Prep Your Gear. Bring supplies needed to handle delays and weather.
Test your gear prior to your adventure. Wear sturdy, well-broken-in
boots with ankle support for hiking.
Assess Risk
Watch the Weather. Conditions deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly.
Huddle Up. Start each day discussing expected conditions and potential
safety issues.
Practice Backcountry Hygiene
Basic emergency services are available on the island, but contacting
rangers can be difficult. Emergency response and evacuation take time,
requiring you to rely on your own skills and equipment. Most private
boaters have radios and may be able to contact rangers in an emergency.
Cell phone service is unreliable; do not depend on it.
To contact the park in an emergency: 440-546-5945
Drinking Water
Potable water is only available in Rock Harbor and Windigo. Early and
late season visitors should plan for no potable water anywhere on-island.
Lake Superior and interior waters should be considered non-potable.
Care for Your Companions. Monitor health and energy levels of party
members.
Purify Water: Use one of these methods:
Be Flexible. When issues arise, evaluate.
Should you keep going, take a break, or
change your trip plan?
•
Physical Purifier: Use one that is rated to remove viruses
•
Water Filter
(0.4 microns or finer)
+
Chemical Treatment
Use tablets or bleach
•
Water Filter
(0.4 microns or finer)
+
UV Treatment
Use a UV purifier
•
Boil: At a rolling boil for at least one minute
Travel Smart
Stick Together. Divide gear to lighten the
load of a slower or injured hiker. Don’t
leave slower party members in the dust.
Rest Often. Enjoy frequent short breaks:
drink water, munch snacks, relax and
rejuvenate. Travel during cooler times of
the day.
Stay Hydrated. Drink upon waking,
along your route, and at your destination.
Water is life.
Watch Your Step. Footing is uneven.
Rocks and roots are trip hazards.
Boardwalks and rocks are slippery when wet.
When Things Go Wrong
•
Take a breath
•
Assess the situation
•
Make a plan
Self-Rescue = Best Rescue. Self-reliance is the only immediate option in
an emergency. Park response is limited and even if you are able to contact
rangers, help could be hours or days away. Are there others nearby who
can assist or go for help?
If you are not equipped to deal with your emergency:
•
Call on marine radio, or
•
Use a satellite phone, or
•
Activate an emergency device with texting capability
Cellphone service is unreliable. Any device may fail in adverse weather.
4 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2023
Toxic Water Alert
Algal blooms have occurred in interior
lakes and can be toxic. Purifying does
not remove toxins from the water. Avoid
drinking, swimming, and fishing if water
has a cloudy blue cast or looks like “pea
soup.” If algal blooms occur, advisories
will be posted.
Respond to Your Symptoms
Dehydration is a factor in most medical problems. You tire quickly, do
not think clearly, and are more prone to falling. Water is scarce between
campgrounds, especially along ridges. Carry a minimum two quarts of
water per person; drink and refill whenever near water sources. Watch
for mild signs of dehydration: thirst, fatigue, headache, and dizziness.
Hypothermia: Shivering,
apathy, and coordination loss
indicate mild hypothermia. Best
defense: Stay warm and dry.
Dress in layers and don raingear
before you get wet. If someone
shows these signs, warm and
dry the person, add more layers,
climb in a sleeping bag, and sip
warm liquids.
Protect Your Park
Minimize your impact to protect the park’s wilderness
character for use and enjoyment by all.
Help Isle Royale Stay Wild
Adventure and simple living are important components of an Isle Royale
visit. To ensure these experiences, you should be familiar with skills and
habits that foster a Leave No Trace ethic. Visit www.lnt.org.
Quiet, Please
Most visitors come to Isle Royale to hear the sounds of nature in a wild
setting. Be aware of your volume so others may enjoy peace and solitude.
Quiet Hours are between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am eastern time. If people
in adjacent campsites can hear your activities, you are being too loud.
Audible use of electronic devices such as stereos, televisions, radios,
cellphones, and tablets is not permitted except in the developed areas
of Rock Harbor and Windigo, and on Lake Superior waters outside of
designated quiet/no wake zones.
5
Leave What You Find
Removing, possessing, or disturbing park resources is prohibited. Antlers,
plants, driftwood, cultural or archeological objects, rocks/minerals
including those in Lake Superior, must be left where found. Fishing and
picking small quantities of berries/mushrooms is allowed.
Graffiti and the building of cairns (rock piles) mar the park for other
visitors. Leave the park as you find it.
Minimize Use of Fires
Campfires are permitted at a handful of campgrounds (see page 6). A
backpacking stove is highly recommended. A metal fire ring or grate is
provided where campfires are allowed; never build your own ring.
Use Dead and Down Wood no bigger around than your wrist. Do not
break branches or strip bark from standing trees, live or dead. Trash
has no place in a backcountry fire. Do not import firewood; insects and
pathogens from infected wood could devastate Isle Royale’s forests.
Portable Generators are prohibited in most areas of the park.
Be Safe With Fire: Keep your fire small and burn down to ash; be sure
the fire is completely out before leaving it.
Keep the Island Clean
Park Regulations
Practice Proper Food Storage: Keep a clean camp. To protect your
food from wildlife, seal it in scent-proof containers and secure. Hardsided containers are preferred, but using doubled zip-lock bags is
appropriate. Animals will steal unattended food and other items.
Trash: All trash and leftover food (including peels, cores, and nutshells)
must be packed out. Do not burn, bury, or place in outhouses. Carry a
zip-lock bag for securing small pieces of trash.
Human Waste Disposal: Use outhouses. Never defecate within 100'
(at least 50 steps) of lakes, streams, or campsites. In areas without
outhouses, dig a cathole 6" to 8" deep; after use, cover with soil. Urinate
on durable surfaces, like rocks or bare soil, away from water sources and
campsites.
The regulations of Isle Royale National Park are intended to protect park
resources and appropriate visitor experiences. Regulations place strong
emphasis on preserving wilderness character and values. Visitors are
responsible for adhering to park regulations.
For detailed information on park regulations visit
www.nps.gov/isro/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm.
Wheeled vehicles (except for non-motorized wheelchairs) or other
mechanical transportation are not allowed outside developed areas at
Rock Harbor and Windigo. This includes bicycles and portaging devices.
No Drone Zone: Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on
lands and waters of the park is prohibited.
Cookware Cleaning: Wash dishes at least 100' from water sources and
campsites. Even biodegradable soap takes a long time to degrade. Use a
strainer to remove food bits and pack them out with your trash. Disperse
remaining water away from water sources and campsites.
Weapons, Traps, & Nets: The use or possession of weapons, traps, and
nets is prohibited. Weapons include any implements designed to discharge
a projectile or missile in the air or water and include slingshots, blowguns,
and bows and arrows. Fireworks are prohibited.
Bathing: Get wet, then move at least 100' away from all water sources
and campsites to lather and rinse. Use soap sparingly, if necessary.
Exception: Possession of firearms within the park is regulated by Michigan
law. The discharge of firearms within the park is prohibited.
Share the Space
Marijuana Prohibited: While recreational and medical marijuana
are now legal in many states, marijuana remains illegal on federal lands
including Isle Royale National Park.
Show Respect. Observe, photograph, and enjoy park wildlife from a safe and respectful distance. If an animal changes its behavior, you are too
close. It is illegal to feed, touch, tease, or intentionally disturb wildlife, their homes, nests, or activities.
Moose are large and potentially dangerous animals. Always give them a wide berth because they may kick in any direction or charge. If you
encounter a moose, step behind a tree, and wait for the moose to move on. Throughout the spring and summer, female moose are rearing young
and are very protective. Never get between a cow and her calf. During fall rut, bull moose are often aggressive.
Loons may abandon their nests when approached too closely. From May through mid-July (loon nesting season) you must stay at least 150' away
from small islands and from shoreline nests. If a loon cries out, you are too close.
Mosquitos & Black Flies peak in June or July. In wet summers, mosquitos continue into August. Bring repellent, netting, or other skin barriers.
Wasps: Dry summers often result in an abundance of wasps. Bring an epinephrine kit if allergic to stings.
Wolves
Pets
If you see a wolf: Do not approach. If the wolf
comes closer, encourage it to leave by clapping
and yelling.
Dogs, cats, and other mammals
are not allowed, including pets
on boats within park boundaries,
which extend 4.5 miles into Lake
Superior from the outermost land
areas of the park. Visitors bringing
pets to the park will be required
to leave immediately. Pets disturb
wildlife and can transmit diseases.
Special conditions apply to service
dogs. Visit www.nps.gov/isro/
planyourvisit/service-dogs.htm.
If a wolf does not leave: Maintain eye contact
and slowly back away until you are out of sight,
continuing to clap and yell. Do not run or turn
your back to the wolf.
If you cannot safely leave: Make yourself big.
Aggressively use hiking poles or branches to
discourage the wolf from approaching.
If a wolf attacks: Wolf attacks are extremely
rare and unlikely to happen. But if it does, fight
using any means necessary.
Report all wolf sightings to park staff.
2023 – Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park 5
6
Voyageur II
During its clockwise circumnavigation,
Voyageur II provides drop-off and
pick-up services at several locations.
See page 11.
Voyageur II
Grand Portage, MN, to Windigo
22mi/35km
2 hours one-way
Sea Hunter III
Grand Portage, MN, to Windigo
22mi/35km
1.5 hours one-way
Seaplane
Hancock, MI, to Windigo
61mi/98km
35-45 minutes one-way
S
0
3
0
3
Beaver Island
F
0
6
1
5
Belle Isle
S
0
1
1
3
Birch Island
Caribou Island
3
1
2
0
CR
Chickenbone E
2
3
0
1
S
Chickenbone W
2
6
0
3
S
F
1
4
2
3
Chippewa Harbor
S
3
16
6
3
Daisy Farm
S
0
0
3
2
Desor N
Desor S
2
7
0
3
S
Duncan Bay
3
1
2
0
F
Duncan Narrows
3
1
2
0
F
Feldtmann Lake
2
5
0
2
S
Grace Island
3
0
2
0
S
Hatchet Lake
2
5
0
3
S
0
0
1
3
Hay Bay
S
0
0
5
3
Huginnin Cove
S
0
3
2
Intermediate Lake
S
0
Island Mine
3
4
0
2
F
Lake Richie
2
4
0
2
S
S
0
0
3
2
Lake Richie/Canoe
S
0
0
3
2
Lake Whittlesey
S
0
0
5
1*
Lane Cove
Little Todd
2
4
0
0
F
F
2
5
0
3
Malone Bay
CR
3
6
3
3
McCargoe Cove
S
0
1
1
3
Merritt Lane
Moskey Basin
3
2
6
2
S
Pickerel Cove
2
1
0
0
S
Rock Harbor
1*
11
9
3
S-W
F-W
0
0
0
14
Rock Harbor Marina
CR
3
2
4
3
Siskiwit Bay
S
3
8
4
1*
Three Mile
Tobin Harbor Dock
5
0
0
0
S
Todd Harbor
3
5
1
3
CR
Tookers Island
3
0
2
0
S
S-W
4
10
5
3*
Washington Creek (Windigo)
S
0
0
0
3
Windigo Dock
S
0
0
3
2
Wood Lake
*Rock Harbor, Three Mile, Lane Cove, & Washington Creek stay limit in effect 6/1 - 9/17.
6 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2023
D
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CR - Fires in community ring only
S - Self-contained stoves only
W - Treated water supply
F - Campfire rings or standing grills provided
Sh
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Campgrounds
C
N ons
6/ ight ecu
(*n 1 – s St tive
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In
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Sit al
es
Grand Marais, MN, to Windigo
57mi/91km
30 minutes one-way
2' – 5'
13'
5'
10'
–
–
7'
9'
–
–
6'
6'
–
2' – 4'
–
3' – 7'
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3' – 6'
7'
8'
8'
–
–
3' – 12'
2' – 6'
9'
3' – 8'
2'
7'
–
4' – 20'
–
yes
yes
no
yes
–
–
no
no
–
–
no
no
–
yes
–
yes
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
yes
no
no
no
–
–
yes
no
no
yes
no
no
–
yes
–
Canoe Portages
Distance•Elevation Change•Details
Malone Bay - Siskiwit Lake
0.3 mile, 40’ Gradual Slope
Siskiwit Lake - Intermediate Lake
0.4 mile, 40’ Gradual ups and downs
Intermediate Lake - Lake Richie
0.6 mile, 120’ Hilly and wooded
Wood Lake - Lake Whittlesey
0.6 mile, 80’ Rolling
Lake Whittlesey - Chippewa Harbor
0.6 mile, 140’ Steep grades and rocky
Chippewa Harbor - Lake Richie
1.2 miles, 160’ Hilly
Moskey Basin - Lake Richie
2.0 miles, 120’ Gradual but long
Lake Richie - Lake LeSage
0.6 mile, 100’ Steep grades, wet
Lake LeSage - Lake Livermore
0.4 mile, 80’ Steep grades, wet
Lake Livermore - Chickenbone Lake
0.2 mile, 40’ Steep but short
Chickenbone Lake -McCargoe Cove
1.2 miles, 80’ Hilly
Pickerel Cove
0.1 mile, 10’ Short and sweet
Lane Cove - Stockly Bay
0.1 mile, 8’ Short and sweet
Five Finger Bay - Duncan Bay
0.2 mile, 8’ Short and sweet
Duncan Bay - Tobin Harbor
0.8 mile, 175’ Extremely steep
Tobin Harbor - Rock Harbor
0.2 mile, 40’ Gradual up and down
7
Rock Harbor Lodge
Water Taxi
Provides drop-off and pick-up services
between Rock Harbor and McCargoe
Cove on the north shore and Rock
Harbor and Malone Bay on the south
shore. See page 10.
Isle Royale Queen IV
Copper Harbor, MI, to Rock Harbor
56mi/90km
3.75 hours one-way
Ranger III
Houghton, MI, to Rock Harbor
73mi/118km
6 hours one-way
Seaplane
Hancock, MI, to Rock Harbor
71mi/114km
35-45 minutes one-way
Grand Marais, MN, to Rock
Harbor
90mi/145km
45 minutes one-way
Chippewa
Harbor
Daisy Farm
Desor N
Desor S
Feldtmann Lake
Hatchet Lake
Huginnin Cove
Island Mine
Lake Richie
Lane Cove
Little Todd
Malone Bay
McCargoe Cove
Moskey Basin
Rock Harbor
Siskiwit Bay
Three Mile
Todd Harbor
Washington
Creek -Windigo
-
1.8
9.3
6.1
19.6
16.4
35.8
9.3
30.3
21.3
5.0
10.9
15.6
19.6
2.3
7.3
13.3
25.7
10.5
8.7
27.1
Chickenbone E
1.8
-
7.9
7.9
19.8
15.0
34.4
7.9
29.1
19.9
3.6
12.7
16.2
18.2
2.7
5.9
14.8
24.3
12.5
9.3
25.7
Chickenbone W
9.3
7.9
-
9.7
27.3
22.5
42.0
15.2
36.4
27.2
4.3
16.6
22.6
25.7
10.6
6.2
16.8
31.6
14.1
17.3
33.0
Chippewa Harbor
6.1
7.9
9.7
-
26.0
22.5
41.9
15.4
37.3
27.4
5.8
6.9
21.5
27.2
8.2
3.9
7.1
31.8
4.4
14.9
33.2
Daisy Farm
19.6
19.8
27.3
26.0
-
20.0
21.4
12.3
14.4
18.6
23.0
30.8
5.7
23.2
18.0
25.3
33.1
23.0
30.4
11.4
12.6
Desor N
16.4
15.0
22.5
22.5
20.0
-
20.1
8.1
14.7
5.5
18.2
27.3
15.5
10.8
17.7
20.5
29.4
9.9
26.7
11.8
11.3
Desor S
35.8
34.4
42.0
41.9
21.4
20.1
-
27.6
12.8
14.6
37.8
46.7
26.1
30.3
37.1
40.1
49.0
10.3
46.3
31.8
8.8
Feldtmann Lake
9.3
7.9
15.2
15.4
12.3
8.1
27.6
-
25.7
13.0
11.1
20.2
7.8
11.3
10.7
13.4
22.3
17.4
19.8
4.1
18.8
Hatchet Lake
30.3
29.1
36.4
37.3
14.4
14.7
12.8
25.7
-
10.0
32.3
41.2
19.1
24.9
31.8
34.6
44.4
14.4
41.7
24.8
4.0
Huginnin Cove
21.3
19.9
27.2
27.4
18.6
5.5
14.6
13.0
10.0
-
23.1
32.2
20.4
15.7
22.6
25.4
34.3
4.4
31.6
16.7
6.6
Island Mine
5.0
3.6
4.3
5.8
23.0
18.2
37.8
11.1
32.3
23.1
-
12.7
18.5
21.4
6.3
2.3
12.9
27.5
10.2
13.0
28.9
Lake Richie
10.9
12.7
16.6
6.9
30.8
27.3
46.7
20.2
41.2
32.2
12.7
-
26.5
30.5
13.0
10.8
6.9
36.6
4.6
19.5
38.3
Lane Cove
15.6
16.2
22.6
21.5
5.7
15.5
26.1
7.8
19.1
20.4
18.5
26.5
-
18.7
13.5
22.1
28.6
24.8
25.9
7.0
17.3
Little Todd
19.6
18.2
25.7
27.2
23.2
10.8
30.3
11.3
24.9
15.7
21.4
30.5
18.7
-
20.9
23.7
34.3
20.1
31.6
15.0
21.5
Malone Bay
2.3
2.7
10.6
8.2
18.0
17.7
37.1
10.7
31.8
22.6
6.3
13.0
13.5
20.9
-
8.4
15.3
27.0
12.6
6.7
28.4
McCargoe Cove
7.3
5.9
6.2
3.9
25.3
20.5
40.1
13.4
34.6
25.4
2.3
10.8
22.1
23.7
8.4
-
11.0
29.8
8.3
15.1
31.0
Moskey Basin
13.3
14.8
16.8
7.1
33.1
29.4
49.0
22.3
44.4
34.3
12.9
6.9
28.6
34.3
15.3
11.0
-
38.7
2.7
22.2
40.1
Rock Harbor
25.7
24.3
31.6
31.8
23.0
9.9
10.3
17.4
14.4
4.4
27.5
36.6
24.8
20.1
27.0
29.8
38.7
-
36.0
21.1
11.0
Siskiwit Bay
10.5
12.5
14.1
4.4
30.4
26.7
46.3
19.8
41.7
31.6
10.2
4.6
25.9
31.6
12.6
8.3
2.7
36.0
-
19.5
37.8
Three Mile
8.7
9.3
17.3
14.9
11.4
11.8
31.8
4.1
24.8
16.7
13.0
19.5
7.0
15.0
6.7
15.1
22.2
21.1
19.5
-
23.0
Todd Harbor
27.1
25.7
33.0
33.2
12.6
11.3
8.8
18.8
4.0
6.6
28.9
38.3
17.3
21.5
28.4
31.0
40.1
11.0
37.8
23.0
-
Washington Creek
Chickenbone E
Chickenbone W
Trail Mileage
MileagesBetween Campgrounds
2023 – Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park 7
Things to Do
8
Hiking
Boating
Miles of trail wind through forests and hug the shoreline,
climb steeply to ridgetop views, and descend into wetlands.
Ninety-nine pecent of the park’s land base is designated
wilderness that beckons you to explore.
Hundreds of islands and surrounding Lake Superior
waters are within park boundaries. Numerous docks and
anchorages provide access for power and sailboats.
Camping
Thirty-six campgrounds are scattered throughout the
park. Campsites are accessible only by foot or watercraft.
All campgrounds have tent sites, outhouses, and are near a
water source. Many of the campgrounds located on the Lake
Superior shoreline offer docks, shelters, and picnic tables.
Camping Permits are required for all overnight stays at campgrounds,
cross-country sites, docks, or at anchor.
Group Camping (seven or more people)
Advance reservations are required for any group or organization, including
families and friends traveling together, bringing seven or more people to the
island (see below).
Small-party Camping (six or fewer people)
All small-party campsites contain either tent sites or a three-sided shelter.
Sites for individual small parties are available first-come, first-served. No
reservations. Expect crowded campsites from mid-July through midSeptember. Expect to have conversations about sharing sites.
Obtain a Permit: Overnight boaters need to permit ahead of time.
Call (906) 482-0984.
Plan Ahead: All boaters should become familiar with information in the
Isle Royale Boating Guide.
Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/boating-guide.htm.
Lake Superior offers challenging and often dangerous weather: fog,
high winds, waves, and thunderstorms. Combine rocky reefs and
limited safe harbors with Isle Royale’s remoteness, and it pays for you,
your crew, and your boat to be shipshape.
Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species: Vessel owners are legally
responsible for invasive species decontamination prior to entering park
waters (extending 4.5 miles into Lake Superior from the outermost
land areas of the park). Learn how to decontaminate your vessel at
stopaquatichitchhikers.org/prevention.
Day Use: Boaters visiting the park or park waters for the day are
required to pay entrance fees (see page 12) and are encouraged to fill out
a day permit. Call (906) 482-0984.
How to Select a Campsite:
Overnight Stays: Boaters staying overnight at anchor, at docks, or in
campgrounds must obtain a permit.
1. At a campground, camp at a designated tent site or occupy a shelter.
Restricted Water Activities:
2. When all sites are occupied, use the identified overflow group campsite
(if present).
•
Water skiing and personal watercraft including vessels referred to as
Jet Skis, Waverunners, or Sea-doos are prohibited in all park waters.
3. When all sites are occupied, ask to share a tent site.
•
Vessels with motors (even if not in use) are prohibited on interior
lakes and streams.
4. When all sites are occupied and there are no viable tent sites to share,
ask to pitch your tent or hammock outside a shelter.
5. When options 1-4 are full, camp outside of campground per
cross-country camping regulations and zone map.
Shelters: Shelters may not be reserved and may not be used solely for
cooking or gear storage. Tents may be used inside shelters. Using nails,
staples, tacks, and/or tape to attach items is prohibited.
Hammocks: In campgrounds, hammocks may only be used within the
existing impacted area of designated sites and not in the surrounding
trees. Hammocks may not be hung inside shelters. Permissible hammock
locations may not be available; bring a tent. Choose trees with care; many
cannot support a hammock. Hammock use must not damage trees.
Cross-Country Camping
Terrain and vegetation make off-trail hiking and camping difficult.
Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/cross-country-camping.htm.
Quiet/No Wake Zones: These zones promote quality visitor experience
by providing relatively tranquil, natural marine surroundings. Within
the zone, vessels must not exceed 5 mph or create a wake in excess of
surrounding seas (see pages 6 and 7).
Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/quiet-no-wake.htm.
On-Board Generators: The operation or use of permanently installed
(by the boat manufacturer) on-board vessel generators is limited to
specific times and locations.
Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/boating-guide.htm.
Portable Generators are pr