This is the least visited national park in the lower 48, and for good reason. Those visiting Isle Royale will gain passage to the islands by either boat or seaplane. Once on the island, there are a few things for which it is necessary to have some advance plans.
Here are some things you’ll want to know when visiting Isle Royale.
Guide to Isle Royale
Where is Isle Royale?
Isle Royale National Park is located in the northwestern waters of Lake Superior, which is the the world’s largest surface area freshwater lake when measured by surface area. The park sits within the borders of Michigan, and lies just to the west of the state’s famous UP, or Upper Peninsula, which holds a variety of boreal forests and vast wilderness terrain that attract visitors from all around the globe.
Travel to Isle Royale requires either crossing the rugged waters of Lake Superior via one of the numerous boat ferry services that offer service to the park, or through a local air taxi service that can make the trip in a fraction of the time.
How to get to Isle Royale?
Most guests arrive at Isle Royale’s docks after an open-water ferry voyage across the open waters of Lake Superior, which can provide an adventure all of its own during stormy conditions. Ships set sail for the park from three separate locations, two in Michigan and one in Minnesota.
Both Houghton and Copper Harbor, Michigan provide ports that service the park’s main destination area of Rock Harbor, on Isle Royale’s south eastern corner. Meanwhile, the small historic port of Grand Portage, Minnesota, which is home to its own NPS site, Grand Portage National Monument, offers island-wide transportation services to Isle Royale, and provide the only service to Windigo.
Michigan:
The Ranger III – At 165 feet in length, with a beam of 34 feet wide, this 648 ton ship is the largest single piece of equipment operated by the National Park Service. The vessel requires a nine member crew to make the 6 hour, 73-mile-passage from Houghton to Rock Harbor.
Queen IV – The Queen IV is the way to go for day trippers, departing Copper Harbor on the 3 hour voyage to Rock Harbor and returning daily.
Minnesota:
Entrance Fee at Isle Royale
Isle Royale charges an entrance fee. This fee is normally collected upon arrival at the dock. Guests are greeted at the dock by a NPS ranger who gives a quick orientation. Following the short ranger-talk, visitors proceed to the Rock Harbor, or Windigo Visitor Center, where the appropriate fee will be charged.
Visitor Centers at Isle Royale
Lodging at Isle Royale
Guide to Isle Royale
Relevant Links
National Park Guides
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