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Houghton Visitor Center is open all year from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mid-June through mid-August it is open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located at 800 East Lakeshore Drive in Houghton, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula and has a small assortment of natural and cultural history exhibits. You can also make Ranger III reservations, trip planning, boater registration, user fee collection, find a bookstore and restrooms. Rock Harbor Visitor Center is open from mid-June through August 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is located in Rock Harbor, Isle Royale National Park, in the northeast section of the park and has a small assortment of natural and cultural history objects. There are also camping permits issued, user fee collection, boater registration, a bookstore, and exhibits available with restrooms nearby. The Windigo Visitor Center is open from mid-June through August 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is located in Windigo, Isle Royale National Park, in the southwest section of the park and also offers natural and cultural history exhibits, with the primary theme related to lighthouses and shipwrecks. You can get camping permits, boater registration, collect user fees, and find exhibits, a bookstore and restrooms nearby.

Isle Royale National Park was authorized by Congress in 1931 “to conserve a prime example of North Woods Wilderness.” The park was designated part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1976, under the Wilderness Act, and remains today as an example of primitive America. In fact, over 98% of the land in Isle Royale is designated wilderness. Further honors were bestowed in 1981, when Isle Royale was designated a United States Biosphere Reserve, giving it global scientific and educational significance. Isle Royale became a national park April 3, 1940. It encompasses 571,790.11 acres of land and water that is 850 square miles, including submerged land that extends 4.5 miles into Lake Superior. The archipelago is composed of many parallel ridges resulting from ancient lava flows which were tilted and glaciated. The Isle is assessable only by boat or seaplane.

Wilderness is managed for preservation and solitude. We need such natural places for study, measuring the forces of natural change and dynamics, and as a place to renew the human spirit. Isle Royale has established rules and regulations governing group size, fires, sanitation, and basic conduct to help protect its varied resources as well as the quality of experience for users. Help preserve this wilderness.

Lake Superior has shaped Isle Royale’s rugged rocky shore as well as created its isolation. Crossing Lake Superior was not easy for the Island’s first visitors. These were hunter-gatherers that came for copper, game and berries thousands of years ago. Native Americans dug copper 3,000 years ago and later in the 19th century, mining companies sank shafts and left behind more then 1,000 mining pits.

There are several long and short hikes that provide plenty of interesting things to see and do from rocky shores, scenic overlooks, secluded coves, and boreal forests. Trails on the island offer a variety of options for trip length and difficulty. Trails are generally well-defined and easy to follow. Most hikers average a two mile-per-hour pace and find a ten mile day to be plenty. Check with rangers when registering for advice on routes and trail conditions. Rainy weather may require hikers to wade through wet, muddy areas. Off-trail travel is very difficult and much less distance can be covered. Ponds and swamps must be frequently crossed and vegetation is thick. North-facing slopes are steep. There is even a Junior Ranger program for kids 6-12 where they can work with their parents and rangers to solve the riddles of life on Isle Royale.

With numerous lakes, bays, and islands, Isle Royale National Park provides many miles of waterways for the experienced canoeist and kayaker, but the isolation of the island makes planning and preparation necessary. It is discouraged to take small, open vessels into the open waters of Lake Superior where waves up to ten feet and short-wavelength swells make boating treacherous. Landing places along the outer shore are scarce. Sudden winds whip up waves that could swamp a canoe, even in protected harbors and inland lakes. Water taxi service is available from Rock Harbor Lodge to docks on the northeast half of the island. Rates vary with distance and number of persons. Canoe routes and portages are located on the northeast half of the island. Portages are marked with a white “P” on a post. Use of wheeled portage devices is not permitted. Motors are permitted only on Lake Superior waters and canoes with motors must have a State registration. It is not legal to transport motors, even if not used, through the inland lakes. Several day cruises are offered while on the island to view the different areas that you might not or can not hike to see. Check with the park before or when you arrive to plan these. Canoe, boat and motor rentals are available by the day or week at both Rock Harbor and Windigo. Kayak rentals are available for day use only at Rock Harbor and Windigo.

Fishing can also be enjoyed, but be aware of the state fishing regulations. Lake Superior Waters: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources regulates fishing within the Lake Superior waters of Isle Royale National Park. A Michigan fishing license is required and all Michigan size and catch limits apply. No fishing license is required to fish the inland lakes and streams of the park. Only artificial bait and lures may be used. No living or dead minnows, worms, leaches, insects, fish eggs, or food may be used. Michigan open seasons, size and possession limits apply with the exception of park-specific restrictions for brook trout. Check with a ranger for additional information. Keep in mind that the larger (usually 28 inches or more) fish are the ones that produce offspring. Leaving the larger fish and taking those smaller than 28 inches helps ensure that there will be plenty of fish in the future. These smaller fish are also better-tasting, so consider taking pictures of the large fish, then carefully releasing them. Instead of killing trophy fish, please consider modern graphite mounts.

You may see gill nets set in the Rock Harbor area, placed by the National Park Service’s fisherman at the Edisen Fishery. This demonstration fishery is established as a cultural exhibit preserving the rich history of commercial fishing at Isle Royale. Please do not damage the nets. Cut nets can continue to catch and unnecessarily kill fish. Do not troll or motor between net buoys. The fish caught at the Edisen fishery provide valuable data used by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to monitor fish populations.

These isolated islands have barely 20 species of mammals compared to over 40 found on the surrounding mainland. Some species have come and gone, often due to the influences of humans. The heavily forested shoreline of Isle Royale appears similar to the mainland’s landscape prior to development. Gulls, ravens, and an occasional eagle or osprey dot the skies; squirrels, toads, mice, and spiders move about the forest floor. Isle Royale’s Wilderness provides habitat for many creatures. The island’s isolation creates simple ecosystems. All of Isle Royale’s creatures create their own natural survival/extinction saga. As recent as 1927, caribou and coyote dotted the landscape. The island now is devoid of these creatures, having given way to other species.

The Ecological Study of Wolves/Moose on Isle Royale is the longest running large mammal predator-prey study on earth. Research has shown that all members of the Isle Royale wolf population have descended from a single female, which arrived during the late 1940s. Between 1948 and 1951, wolves walked to Isle Royale on an ice bridge from Ontario, Canada. The intense level of inbreeding has led to a 50% loss of genetic variability within the population today. Genetic information suggests that the island’s moose population is most closely related to moose in northwestern Minnesota…perhaps challenging the long-held idea that moose swam across the lake to reach Isle Royale. Did humans bring them here?

A venture by foot, canoe or kayak into the parks interior can transport one back thousands of years into it’s prehistoric past. Around 11,000 years ago, 2 miles of ice lay on top of Isle Royale, pressing it down into the earth and sculpting its topography. The same ice sheet gave birth to powerful Lake Superior as well as hundreds of inland lakes, ponds and bogs. The Greenstone Ridge, which forms the backbone of Isle Royale, is thought by many geologists to be a portion of the largest lava flow on earth. All in all, Isle Royale is a fascinating ecosystem, responding to influences seen in very few places in all of North America or the world. Isle Royale National Park is significant because it is a remote and primitive wilderness archipelago isolated by the size and power of Lake Superior.

On a clear day from the Ojibway fire lookout you can see miles in every direction. The wind does not stop. The sturdy steel structure sings and creaks with each strong gust. To the west is Sargent Lake. To the north is Canada. To the South is the Rock Harbor lighthouse (circa 1855) nearly 2 miles away. Like the more modern lookout, the old light was built to warn of danger.

Inside the humble little shack atop the tower are an incongruous variety of solar powered high tech gadgets. Some carefully monitor the air quality, some record weather data. This is much more than a fire lookout; it is in fact the most isolated atmospheric monitoring station in all of the National Park Service.

Lightning-caused forest fires are a natural and historic part of the Isle Royale environment. Some plant and animal species require fire to survive, such as jack pine. Some, such as moose, actually thrive in recently burned areas. Therefore, the park’s policy is to closely monitor natural fires if certain qualifying conditions are met. Fire is a powerful force. Campfires are restricted to just a few areas.

The weather on Isle Royale is cool throughout the operating season with dense fog in spring, and in summer sunny with temperatures rarely exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thunderstorms and rain occur throughout the season. Weather and rough seas may delay departures to and from the island. It’s recommended that you dispense with your shorts and sleeveless tops. Bring warm clothing and a good windbreaker. Water-resistant hiking boots with good ankle support are a must as you will be walking most of the time. Expect blisters, even if your feet are tough, and bring plenty of moleskin. Watch your footing on wet and slippery trails, rock surfaces, and roots. Bring plenty of insect repellent and netting or other skin barriers. Think in terms of being able to cover all exposed skin on your body from biting insects. Insects can bite through thin clothing. Make sure your tent has mosquito netting and that it has no holes. Bring materials to repair damaged mosquito netting. Expect mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums, deer flies and stable flies. Be prepared for rapid and dramatic changes in weather. Know signs and symptoms of hypothermia and heat-related emergencies. It is often hot and dry on the ridges, even when it is cool down by Lake Superior. Carry plenty of drinking water and drink it! There are no medical facilities on Isle Royale. Sick or injured people may be stranded for days before assistance arrives. Be in good physical condition. Come fully equipped. Know your limitations. Inexperienced backpackers should do a couple of “break-in” overnight trips before coming to the island.

Hypothermia is the lowering of the body’s core temperature below normal. It is important to keep warm and dry. The symptoms of hypothermia can be slurred speech, chills, slow reaction time and motor skills, skin numbness, difficulty using fingers, lack of coordination, weakness, stumbling, slow pace, and confusion and apathy. . Be aware of this danger and know how to avoid and treat hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids, eat high calorie foods, dress in warm layers, keep an extra set of clothes that remain dry to change into if you get wet, keep your sleeping gear in waterproof bags, are all ways to prevent hypothermia. If you become hypothermic, get warm and dry as soon as possible and take in fluids and food.

Isle Royale may seem rugged, but it is also fragile. To help preserve it, follow low-impact camping practices wherever you go. By learning and using leave-no-trace principles, your impact on the wilderness and other peoples experiences will be reduced. Using equipment of subtle natural tones instead of bright colors and hanging clothing and gear out of sight of others will lessen your visual impact. To help minimize erosion, walk in the middle of trails and do not shortcut switchbacks. To prevent campsite erosion, do not dig trenches or otherwise disturb the soil. Backpacking stoves are lightweight, dependable, efficient, and have less impact on the environment than campfires. Help protect the island from human-caused fires by being careful with cigarettes, campfires, and camp stoves. Tents with tight net closures will ensure comfort from bugs during the night. Use pit toilets provided at campgrounds to dispose of human waste. If not available: select a spot at least 100 feet from trails, streams, lakes, or dry stream beds and dig a hole six inches deep. Cover the hole tightly with duff after use. Carry out sanitary napkins and tampons. Carry out whatever you carry in. There are no trash cans in the backcountry. Do not bury, burn, or scatter trash and do not put it into pit toilets. As you hike, help maintain a pristine backcountry by picking up litter dropped by other visitors. Please try to bring your trash back to the mainland for disposal, since trash removal on the island is costly.

Bring adequate camping/backpacking checklist equipment: tent with rainfly and good insect netting, repair kit, sleeping bag and mat, food, water (at least 2 quarts/day), water filtering system, collapsible water container, campstove, fuel, matches, flashlight with extra batteries and bulb, compass, topographical map, backpack, first aid kit, extra medications, cooking utensils, animal proof containers, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, wide brimmed hat, insect repellent, knife or multipurpose tool, extra socks, moleskin, and foot powder to keep feet dry, and adequate layered clothing for the season. Make sure you keep things as light as possible to make a more enjoyable backpacking trip. Water not obtained from spigots in Rock Harbor or Windigo must be considered contaminated with intestinal bacteria and the eggs of the hydatid tapeworm. Boil water for at least two minutes or filter through an adequate filter (0.4 microns for bacteria; 25 microns for tapeworm). Halizone tablets, bleach, and other chemical purifiers will not kill tapeworm eggs although they may be effective against bacteria if used properly. Play it safe!

Firearms, fireworks, kites, radios, video games, Frisbees, baseballs, footballs, and other sporting equipment, or any implements designed to discharge missiles in the air or water are prohibited. Wheeled vehicles (except for wheelchairs) or other mechanical forms of transportation are not allowed on trails. This includes bicycles and canoe portage devices. Motorized vessels (including dinghies) are not allowed on inland lakes or streams. Use only paddles and oars to explore these waterways. Water skiing and jet skiing is prohibited anywhere within park boundaries. You may transport your canoe or kayak by any of the boats that travel to Isle Royale.

Make reservations beforehand. All boaters at Isle Royale should have Great Lakes Chart #14976. This chart shows the island, underwater features, and navigational aids. There are many reefs and shoals around the island, many just below the surface or barely protruding and not visible when conditions are rough. The bottom comes up abruptly in many places. Use the Isle Royale Topographic Map and Navigation Chart. It is also recommend using the Foot Trails and Water Routes Guide. It is the responsibility of individual boaters to insure the validity of their charts and maps. These and other publications are available on the island and by mail order from: Isle Royale Natural History Association, 800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931; 1-800-678-6925 or http://www.irnha.org. Canoe-only campgrounds do not have group sites. Shoreline camping is not open to groups. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites cannot be reserved. Canoe/kayak-only sites are limited to two nights stay and parties of six or fewer. By obtaining a special camping permit, the entire shore of Lake Whittlesey, Wood Lake, Intermediate Lake, and Siskiwit Lake, and designated zones along Lake Superior, are open to camping with a one-night limit per location. Camping on off-shore islands is limited to designated campsites.

Lake Superior is well known for its cold temperatures, fog, and sudden squalls. Expect rough seas. Be familiar with weather patterns and consult the MAFOR (Marine Forecast) at ranger stations before embarking. Avoid lightning storms. Be prepared to adjust your schedule to the weather. Every canoeist and kayaker must have a U. S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Wear it! It is extremely difficult to put on in the water, and your life may depend on it. Be sure your PFD can be tied or zipped and is the proper size, preventing it from slipping off in the water. If your companion can pull off your PFD, once adjusted, over your head, it is too large for you and unsafe to use. Be sure your canoe is in good repair. Carry first aid kit, extra paddle, self-contained stove, insect repellent, map(s) and compass, 50 feet of lashing line, rain gear, extra food in case of bad weather, bailer sponge or bucket, waterproof matches, and dry storage containers.

Know these flags while boating. Diver Down Flag has a white bar through a red rectangle, may be flown from a vessel or a float and signifies that divers are below and caution is required. Vessels must maintain a no wake speed within 200′ of a diver down flag. Establish and maintain communications with dive boats displaying a flag before approaching. Alpha Flag is a rectangle with the mast side white and the other side blue with a notch cut from it. It means a vessel has personnel and/or equipment in water and is unable to maneuver. Do not approach; maintain a safe distance of at least 200 feet around vessel. Watch for divers. NOTE: Shipwreck mooring buoys are for divers’ use only.

A permit is required before diving. Check at the Rock Harbor or Windigo Ranger Station. You must fly the Diver Down or Alpha flag while diving. All wrecks and artifacts are protected by Federal law. Do not remove anything. The shipwreck America is closed for diving between 12 noon and 2 p.m. EDT. Portable compressors may only be operated at public docks located at Windigo, Rock Harbor and Malone Bay and only at specified times. Any equipment found in Isle Royale waters must be turned in to any park ranger station. The National Park Service will attempt to return all lost items. Shipwreck buoys are to be used only by registered divers during actual dive operations. No more than two vessels are to be moored at any one time. No overnight mooring on buoys is permitted. Diving is prohibited in any inland lake and in Lake Superior waters associated with a land based cultural site. Spear guns, weapons, traps and nets (except those permitted for recreational fishing) are prohibited. Please consult the park’s Scuba Diving brochure for additional information.

Help keep docks and campgrounds clean by following these guidelines for fish cleaning. At Rock Harbor, use the fish cleaning station. At Windigo, bag your fish remains and put them in trash cans. Other areas: clean fish at least 100′ away from docks and campsites, cut fish remains (skeletons and heads, too) into small pieces (4″ or smaller), place the remains on shore at least 100′ away from the docks and campgrounds, between the waterline and the vegetation or dump remains in deep (50′ or deeper) waters of Lake Superior, outside of protected bays or harbors. Please resist the temptation to throw pieces of fish remains to the gulls. Often these pieces end up rotting in shallow water. One purpose of these guidelines is to prevent stinking fish remains from ending up on the lake bottom near campgrounds and docks. Finally, please do not clean fish directly on the docks. Thoroughly scrub up and rinse away all blood and slime from any on-shore surfaces.

Beware of open mine pits at Island Mine, Todd Harbor, Siskowit Mine, Daisy Farm, Minong Mine, and other areas throughout the park.

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Keep wildlife wild. Feeding wildlife upsets the natural food chain and makes animals dependent on humans. It also causes them to lose their fear of humans and approach more and more closely. Finally, an animal such as a fox, otter, or squirrel may bite a human and have to be destroyed all because someone started the vicious cycle by feeding them. It has happened here before. Respect the needs of birds and other animals for undisturbed territory. Feeding, touching, teasing, trapping, molesting, or intentional disturbance of any wildlife or of their homes, nests, or activities is prohibited and detracts from the wilderness character of Isle Royale. See our Wildlife Precautions page.

Bugs can be a problem, mostly mosquitoes and black flies, depending on weather conditions for the year, so be prepared with repellent or any other form of bug deterrent. Expect mosquitoes, black flies, gnats, and other insects to peak in June or July. They are part of your Isle Royale experience. There are also plenty of bees on the island so bring an epinephrine kit if anyone in your group is allergic.

There is a user fee of $4/day per person that’s on the island. Children 11 and under are exempt. There is a $50 individual season pass available.

The fees for the boat rides vary from $35-62 one way for day rides with children’s receiving various discounts, and $50-58 for the one way trips from Houghton or Copper Harbor. It is a six hour voyage. Bringing canoes, kayaks, and extra camping equipment are additional charges. Again, call your transport choice for particulars.

The seaplane costs $240/ per person round trip and $170/per person one way, but only takes you 35 minutes to get to the island.

Three types of camping are available at Isle Royale: three-sided shelters (maximum 6 people), tent sites (maximum 6 people) for one to three tents, and group sites (for parties of 7 to 10 people); for backpackers, paddlers, and recreational boaters. Long-term campground stays are not permitted. There are 36 different campsites. They are open from mid-April to the end of October. The tent sites vary from 0 to 11, with some having shelters only. Several have group site possibilities. A “group” constitutes any party of seven to ten people, including leaders. No group may be larger than ten persons. The length of stay ranges from 1-5 consecutive nights. All campers and boaters are required to obtain a camping permit on the Ranger III vessel or at Rock Harbor or Windigo upon arrival. When leaving the park, return the permit, with itinerary corrections noted. This is a very primitive camping experience. Come prepared to be mobile, self-sufficient, and flexible. You are allowed tents, camping stoves and lanterns, but you must practice the “leave no trace” principle. Open containers of alcoholic beverages are prohibited at Siskiwit Bay and McCargoe Cove Campgrounds, on their associated docks, and while on board boats at their docks. It is best to contact the park for specific campground sites.

There are 88 three-sided sleeping shelters on Isle Royale. They provide a convenient source of shelter, especially during bad weather, and the front of each shelter is screened to provide relief from the biting insects. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to do your part in keeping these shelters in good condition. Vandalism such as carving and writing on the walls and ceilings is illegal. To prevent damage to the screens and the doors, be careful with your camping gear, and close doors softly. Sweep them out with the brooms provided before you depart, so they will be clean for the next user.

From mid-July to the end of August, expect to find crowded conditions at docks and campgrounds. Campsites cannot be reserved, except for group campsites by groups of seven to ten. Shelters cannot be reserved. Individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of tent or shelter sites is limited. Be prepared to travel to an alternate campground in case the one where you plan to stay is full. At peak times, double up with another party using available tent pads, rather than camping outside established sites and causing campground sprawl, soil compacting, and trampling. Campers must stay in the established campground unless they make arrangements for off-trail hiking and camping when the camping permit is issued. Off-trail hiking and camping is difficult at Isle Royale and recommended only for experienced campers.
Opportunities for campfires are limited; a self-contained fuel (backpacking) stove is needed. White gas is available at the camp stores at Rock Harbor and Windigo (core season) or from the visitor centers (shoulder seasons) from mid-May through the end of September. Where campfires are allowed, a metal fire ring is provided. Never build your own ring and use only wood that is dead and down. Please do not peel bark or cut live trees or branches. Always extinguish your campfire completely before you depart the area. Water at Isle Royale deserves special care to avoid polluting it and exposing yourself or your party to diseases.

Among Isle Royale’s important backcountry values are its natural sights and sounds. You can enhance your own and other’s solitude by keeping quiet in campgrounds and on docks and trails, traveling in small parties, and avoiding unnecessary noise like sing-alongs or the use of radios and tape decks. Refrain from group games like Frisbee and tag, which often lead to shouting and extra noise. Enjoy the natural sights and sounds of the island around you. One of Isle Royale’s greatest gifts is the healing meditative solitude available there. Quiet hours at all campgrounds and docks are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. EDT. This will insure that all campers can have a restful experience, enjoying the natural sounds of the wilderness.

Grand Portage National Monument is 14 miles away. Keweenaw National Historical Park is 11 miles away. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is 200 miles away and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is 200 miles away. Voyageurs National Park is about 377 miles away.

There is a transport ship that leaves from Houghton MI between May 31 and September 10. It runs to Rock Harbor on the island on Tuesdays and Fridays and is about a six hour trip. The return trips are Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call (906) 482-0984 for further information.

Another ship leaves daily from Copper Harbor, MI between May 16 and September 30 and is a three hour voyage. There are two ships that leave from Grand Portage, MN that offer day trips to the island. One starts May 7 and the other starts June 18.

There is also a seaplane service that flies primarily to your schedule, but doesn’t fly on Sundays.

Private boaters are always welcome. There are regulations about leaving room for the commercial boats that regularly dock at the piers and you will need to pay the $4.00/day user fee per person or purchase a season boat pass for $150.00 that covers everyone in your boat.

Vehicles are not permitted on Isle Royale. Visitors park their cars in Houghton, Michigan; Copper Harbor, Michigan; or Grand Portage, Minnesota and ride passenger ferries to the island, or fly to the island. Once on the island, you can either take transport boats around the island or hike.

Isle Royale National Park 800 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1869
Phone (906) 482-0984
By Fax (906) 482-8753

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