Isle Royale
A roadless wilderness island in Lake Superior, reached only by ferry, seaplane or private boat
- Hours
- Open April 16 to October 31
- Entry
- Free entry
- Reservations
- Required in season
- Size
- About 571,800 acres, mostly Lake Superior waters
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Isle Royale is a 45-mile-long island in the northwest corner of Lake Superior, closer to Minnesota and Ontario than to the rest of Michigan. The park is mostly water, and almost all of the island is designated wilderness with no roads or cars. Its long ridges and valleys are tilted layers of ancient lava flows, and Native people mined copper here thousands of years ago. Later the island had commercial fishing camps and summer resorts, some of which still stand.
It is one of the least visited national parks in the lower 48, but visitors stay longer than almost anywhere else, often for several days of backpacking or paddling. Moose swam or walked over ice to the island about a century ago, and wolves arrived in the 1940s; scientists have studied the two species here since 1958. Getting there is part of the trip: a 6-hour ride on the park's own ferry, a 3.5-hour crossing from Copper Harbor, or a 40-minute seaplane flight.
The park and surrounding area
- Park boundary
- Other parks
- Major highway
- Road
- Rivers and lakes
- Town
Plan your trip
- Best time to go
- Late July through early September brings the warmest weather and fewer biting insects than June, while early to mid-September adds fall color and quieter trails before boats stop running.
- How long to stay
- Plan on three to five days to hike part of the island, or take a single day trip from Copper Harbor or Grand Portage.
- Getting there
- Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) is about 10 minutes from the Ranger III dock in Houghton and the seaplane base in Hubbell; Duluth (DLH) is about 2.5 hours from the Grand Portage ferries, and Marquette (SAW) is about 2 hours from Houghton.
- Wildlife
- Look for moose, red foxes, beavers, river otters, loons and bald eagles; wolves live here but are rarely seen.
Plan and book
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Where to stay
- Hotels in Houghton (opens in a new tab)Michigan
- Hotels in Copper Harbor (opens in a new tab)Michigan
- Hotels in Grand Portage (opens in a new tab)Minnesota
- Lodges inside the park (opens in a new tab)Official NPS list
Tours and activities
- Guided tours on Viator (opens in a new tab)Day trips, wildlife, photography
- Tours on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)Compare options and reviews
- Campsites on Recreation.gov (opens in a new tab)Official federal booking site
What to pack for Isle Royale
- Water filterAll drinking water on the island comes from lakes and streams and must be treated.
- Head net and insect repellentMosquitoes and black flies can be intense in June and July.
- Lightweight backpacking tentShelters are first-come and some east-end campgrounds are shelter-only, so carry your own shelter.
- Waterproof rain jacketLake Superior weather changes fast, and fog and rain are common.
- Motion sickness remedyCrossings on Lake Superior can be rough, especially on the longer ferry routes.
A first day, start to finish
- Arrive at Rock Harbor by ferry
- Stop at the Rock Harbor Visitor Center
- Hike the Scoville Point loop
- Lunch on the rocks along Tobin Harbor
- Walk the Stoll Trail back toward the ferry dock
Don't miss
- Scoville PointAn easy 4.2-mile loop from Rock Harbor along rocky Lake Superior shoreline and through boreal forest to the tip of a long point.
- Greenstone Ridge TrailThe island's spine, about 40 miles from Rock Harbor to Windigo, with high lookouts over the lake and inland lakes; most hikers take four to six days.
- Rock Harbor Lighthouse and Edisen FisheryA short boat ride from Rock Harbor takes you to an 1855 lighthouse and a restored commercial fishing camp.
- Lookout LouiseA short but steep climb from Tobin Harbor to a cliff-top view north across the water to Canada.
- Moose and wolvesThe island is home to one of the world's longest-running predator and prey studies, and moose are often seen near Windigo and in quiet coves.
Know before you go
Do
- Pay the $7 per-person daily fee online before your trip, and book your ferry or seaplane seat months ahead for July and August.
- Filter or boil all lake and stream water and pack layers, since temperatures can swing 20 degrees in a day.
- Store food carefully and keep your distance from moose, especially cows with calves.
Don't
- Plan an October trip expecting ferries; regular boat and seaplane service ends in September.
- Bring pets; dogs and other pets are not allowed in the park, even on boats in park waters.
- Count on cell service or stores on the island; carry everything you need.
The park is open April 16 through October 31 and is closed to all visitors from November 1 to April 15, including the waters within 4.5 miles of the island. Ferries and the seaplane run only from about mid-May through September, so by October the island is reachable only by private boat, and Rock Harbor Lodge, stores, fuel and showers are already closed for 2026. The Houghton Visitor Center on the mainland is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, from September 21 to October 31; the Rock Harbor and Windigo visitor centers are staffed daily only from early June to mid-September.
For a taste of the island without camping, take the Isle Royale Queen IV from Copper Harbor as a day trip, which gives you about three hours at Rock Harbor for the Scoville Point loop.Trekker's tip