Isle Royale National Park is the least-visited national park in the contiguous United States—but not because it lacks beauty. This remote, rugged island in the middle of Lake Superior is one of the most wild and rewarding destinations in the entire National Park System. With its pristine wilderness, quiet trails, and abundant wildlife, Isle Royale offers a rare backcountry experience. In this detailed Isle Royale National Park travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip, from how to get there to where to stay, what to pack, and the best hikes and itineraries.
How to Get to Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale is an island—you can’t drive there. Visitors must arrive via ferry or seaplane. Access points are located in both Michigan and Minnesota. Please reference the transportation’s website for the most up to date information regarding scheduling and pricing.
Getting to Isle Royale from Michigan
Option 1: Houghton, Michigan (Ranger III Ferry or Seaplane)
Step 1: Travel to Houghton
- Drive: 200 mi from Green Bay, 400 mi from Chicago, 250 mi from the Mackinac Bridge.
- Fly: United Airlines offers daily flights to Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX).
Step 2: Choose Your Transport
- Departs from: 800 E. Lakeshore Dr., Houghton, MI
- Duration: 6 hours to Rock Harbor
- Schedule: Departs Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:00 AM ET
- Departs from: 26998 W 16th, Hubbell, MI
- Duration: ~45 minutes to Rock Harbor
- Schedule: Daily (weather dependent)
Option 2: Copper Harbor, Michigan (Isle Royale Queen IV Ferry)
Step 1: Travel to Copper Harbor
- 52 miles north of Houghton
- Closest airport: Houghton County Memorial Airport
Step 2: Ferry to Rock Harbor
- Departs from: 14 Waterfront Landing, Copper Harbor, MI
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Schedule: Daily except Wednesdays
Getting to Isle Royale from Minnesota
Grand Portage, Minnesota (Voyageur II or Sea Hunter III)
Step 1: Travel to Grand Portage
- 150 mi northeast of Duluth, MN
- 50 mi southwest of Thunder Bay, ON
- Airports: Duluth International or Thunder Bay International
- Bus: Arrowhead Transit + shuttle from Grand Marais
Step 2: Choose Your Ferry
- Duration: 1.5 hours to Windigo
- Schedule: Wednesday–Saturday, departs 9:30 AM ET
- Duration: 2 hours to Windigo; 5 additional hours to Rock Harbor
- Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, departs 8:30 AM ET
Day Trips to Isle Royale
From Grand Portage to Windigo (Best Option)
- Sea Hunter III allows for several hours at Windigo before returning
Top day trip hikes from Windigo:
| Trail Name | Distance (RT) | Estimated Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Creek Overlook | 3.6 miles | ~2 hours | Elevated views of Washington Harbor |
| Windigo Nature Trail | 1.2 miles | ~45 minutes | Easy interpretive loop with lake scenery |
| Windigo to Washington Creek | 0.4 miles | ~15 minutes | Boardwalk path with water and forest views |
Rock Harbor Day Trips
- Day trips to Rock Harbor are not practical due to ferry/seaplane duration. They do have many day hike options though.
| Trail Name | Distance (RT) | Estimated Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoville Point | 4.2 miles | ~2 hours | Stunning coastal views; a must-do for first-timers |
| Suzy’s Cave | 3.0 miles | ~1.5 hours | Sea arch and inland lagoon; family-friendly |
| Mount Franklin | 10.4 miles | ~4–5 hours | Panoramic ridgeline views over Lake Superior |
| Lookout Louise | Varies (boat access) | ~3 hours (including boat ride) | Dramatic viewpoint over Tobin Harbor and Canada |
Lodging & Accommodations on Isle Royale
Rock Harbor Lodge
| Accommodation Type | Price (est.) | Notes |
| Lakeside Lodge Room | $380+/night | Private bath, views of Lake Superior |
| Housekeeping Cabin | $320+/night | Sleeps 6, full kitchen, ideal for families |
Windigo Camper Cabins
| Type | Price | Details |
| Rustic Camper Cabins | ~$80/night (estimated) | Bunk beds, solar lighting, located at Washington Harbor |
Campgrounds on Isle Royale
Rock Harbor Region
| Campground | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Harbor | 0 mi | Near lodge & visitor center |
| Three Mile | 3.2 mi | Waterfront / Short backpack trip |
| Daisy Farm | 7 mi | Large site / Water access |
| Moskey Basin | 11 mi | Known for sunrises / Quiet |
| Lane Cove | 6.9 mi | Solitude / Remote |
Windigo Region
| Campground | Distance | Highlights |
| Washington Creek | 0.3 mi | Most popular / Near visitor center |
| Huginnin Cove | 4.2 mi loop | Dramatic coastal views |
| Island Mine | 6.9 mi | Forested interior site |
| Feldtmann Lake | 9 mi | Moose sightings / Quiet lakefront |
| Siskiwit Bay | 13.4 mi | Remote / Stunning shoreline |
Boat Rentals and Scenic Tours (Rock Harbor)
Rentals from Rock Harbor Lodge
| Rental Type | Price (approx.) | Details |
| Canoe | $64.00/day | Calm waters of Tobin Harbor |
| Kayak | $77/day | Single or tandem options |
| Motorboat | $127.00/day | 16 ft, outboard, navigation required |
Ranger-Led Boat Tours
Hidden Lake & Lookout Louise
- Tour Includes: Boat ride plus a short guided hike
- Duration: About 3 hours
- Schedule: 2 to 3 times per week during the summer season
- Price: Approximately $75–$100 per person
- Tour Includes: Scenic boat cruise and guided lighthouse tour
- Duration: About 3.5 hours
- Schedule: Weekly during peak season
- Price: Approximately $90–$120 per person
Best Hikes & Sights on Isle Royale
Rock Harbor Side
| Hike | Distance (RT) | Highlights |
| Scoville Point | 4.2 mi | Coastal views, accessible |
| Suzy’s Cave | 3 mi | Sea arch, family friendly |
| Mt. Franklin | 10.4 mi | Expansive lake views |
| Lookout Louise | Access via boat | Overlook Tobin Harbor |
Windigo Side
| Hike | Distance (RT) | Highlights |
| Huginnin Cove Loop | 4.5 mi | Forest & lake views |
| Grace Creek Overlook | 3.6 mi | Top viewpoint near Windigo |
| Feldtmann Ridge Loop | 28 mi | Backpacking loop with solitude |
Wildlife on Isle Royale
One of the highlights of visiting Isle Royale is its unique, isolated wildlife.
- Moose: Frequently spotted in interior trails and near Windigo
- Wolves: Rarely seen; under active scientific monitoring
- Red Foxes: Bold and curious; often near campsites
- Loons: Their haunting calls are common around Tobin Harbor
- River Otters: Occasionally seen around Rock Harbor
Packing for Isle Royale
Backpacking here means full self-sufficiency. Here’s what to bring:
- Water Filtration System – Lakes are your source
- Insect Protection – Bug spray + head net (June to Aug)
- Layered Clothing – Cold nights, even in summer
- Rain Gear – Lake Superior weather is unpredictable
- Bear-Resistant Food Storage – New 2025 requirement
- Navigation Tools – GPS, paper map, compass
- Battery Backup/Solar Charger – No power in backcountry
Connectivity & Safety
There is no cell service on Isle Royale. Limited Wi-Fi is available at Rock Harbor Lodge and Windigo Visitor Center, but it’s unreliable.
Bring a satellite communication device like the Garmin inReach or use iPhone’s emergency satellite texting feature for emergencies.
Food Options on the Island
Greenstone Grill offers seasonal hot meals but with limited hours and seating.
Small general stores at Rock Harbor and Windigo sell snacks, freeze-dried meals, and fuel—though supplies are limited and expensive.
For backpacking, plan to bring your own food—lightweight, high-calorie, and non-perishable meals.
If staying at the lodge, still recommended to bring some food.
Best Time to Visit Isle Royale
- Season: Open April 16–Oct 31 (Full services May–Sept)
- Best Window: Late August to mid-September
- Fewer bugs / Better weather
- Avoid: June–early August (mosquitoes, black flies)
Sample Itineraries
3-Day Rock Harbor Getaway
Perfect for first-timers wanting to explore the east side
- Day 1: Arrive by ferry or seaplane. Hike Scoville Point. Visit Rock Harbor Visitor Center.
- Day 2: Hidden Lake boat tour + Lookout Louise hike. Paddle Tobin Harbor.
- Day 3: Hike to Suzy’s Cave. Depart via ferry or plane.
3-Day Backpacking Weekend (Rock Harbor Area)
ps – this is the trip we did!
- Friday: Arrive and hike to Lane Cove (6 mi). Camp by the lake.
- Saturday: Hike to 3 Mile Camp via Mt. Franklin & Daisy Farm (10 mi)
- Sunday: Hike back to Rock Harbor (5 mi) for departure
- Total: 21 mi over 3 days
4-Day Windigo Explorer
Explore moose-rich forests and remote coastline
- Day 1: Arrive. Hike Windigo Nature Trail.
- Day 2: Huginnin Cove Loop
- Day 3: Grace Creek Overlook + optional Feldtmann Lake trail
- Day 4: Easy morning walk. Depart.
6-Day Rock Harbor to Windigo Thru-Hike
- Day 1: Rock Harbor to Three Mile Campground
- Day 2: To Moskey Basin
- Day 3: Summit Mt. Ojibway and overnight at Daisy Farm
- Day 4: Cross to Hatchet Lake
- Day 5: Continue to Island Mine Campground
- Day 6: Finish at Windigo and return by ferry or seaplane
Final Tips for Isle Royale National Park Travel
Visiting Isle Royale is one of the most unique wilderness experiences in the U.S., but it requires thoughtful planning. These tips will help you make the most of your Isle Royale National Park travel.
- Book early—ferries, flights, and lodging fill up months ahead, especially in summer. As soon as your dates are set, lock in your reservations. Backcountry permits are required but issued upon arrival.
- Bring physical maps and offline tools. There’s no cell service, and GPS can fail in dense forest. A waterproof topo map, compass, and downloaded apps like Gaia or AllTrails Pro are essential.
- Bugs and weather can be intense. Black flies and mosquitoes peak early summer. Pack repellent, a head net, and rain gear. Nights are chilly—even in July—and sudden storms are common.
With the right prep, Isle Royale will reward you with unforgettable hiking, paddling, and wildlife encounters. It’s a national park experience unlike any other—wild, remote, and deeply rewarding.
Isle Royale is unlike anywhere else in the U.S. National Park system. Whether you’re paddling Tobin Harbor, hiking ridgelines, or listening to loons echo over the water, the solitude here is transformative. With this Isle Royale National Park travel guide, you’re now ready to experience it for yourself.