Isle Royale National Park’s landmass is the size of Manhattan, but instead of a concrete jungle, you get pristine wilderness surrounded by majestic Lake Superior. The island’s ruggedness competes with its reverence.
Here, wolves slinker through the night woods while moose meander to water. The park’s footprint extends into the cold water of Lake Superior, 4.5 miles in all directions. Shipwrecks resigned to an icy fait sit just offshore, and lighthouses surround a lake that behaves more like an ocean.
In addition to the main island, more than 400 other islands pepper the footprint of this maritime masterpiece. Technically, it’s an archipelago. The layout reminds me of a paintbrush feathering as the color runs out. Land and lake intermingle here.
I love exploring islands, and the three times I’ve been to Isle Royale National Park, I’ve fallen more in love with the reality of wilderness. Isle Royale might be the least visited park in the contiguous U.S., but that has nothing to do with its appeal. In fact, it’s the most re-visited national park.
When you want primal, intentional, and uncompromising wilderness, follow me to Isle Royale National Park. Nothing is fancy here. Not even the name – it’s pronounced “I’ll ROY-uhl,” not “eel Roy-AHLE.”
Stay close; this one has a lot of hidden tips and tricks to explore and enjoy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Isle Royale National Park Guide
Table of contents: Isle Royale National Park Guide
- 6 Isle Royale Travel Tips
- Isle Royale National Park Map
- Top 10 Things to Do at Isle Royale National Park
- 9. Carve Out Time for Caves
- 8. Take a Shine to Lighthouses
- 7. See a Shipwreck
- 6. Hike to Fire Towers
- 5. Paddle the Day Away
- 4. Follow the Path to Mount Franklin
- 3. “Lookout Louise!”
- 2. Go Fish
- 1. Look for Moose and Wolves
- Isle Royale National Park Lodging
- Is Isle Royale Worth It?
- List of Things to Do in Isle Royale National Park
- Pin Things to Do in Isle Royale National Park
- Helpful Related Links
6 Isle Royale Travel Tips
- Entrance fees are charged per person since you’ll be taking a boat to get here. The cost is $7 per person. You must use a credit card for the purchase or show your America the Beautiful Interagency Pass. That pass is $80 and gets you into all public lands for a year. Ferries and seaplanes cost extra.
- Isle Royale National Park closes from November 1 to April 15. That’s saying something about the intensity of winters when the National Park Service closes a location entirely.
- Resources are slim on Isle Royale, Michigan. Bring a park map or a park guidebook with you to help navigate.
- Cars aren’t allowed on Isle Royale National Park since it’s designated wilderness. Keep this in mind when choosing your port city. Walking from one side of the island to the other is a 40-mile backcountry trek.
- Finally, when packing light, don’t skip bug spray. I implore you also to bring a bug net to wear over your head. These gnarly bugs almost ruined my island time. The bugs are less prominent and aggressive in August if that’s important to you.
- For those traveling to/from Isle Royale National Park from Minnesota, remember that Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone, and Minnesota is in the Central Time Zone. Also, I ran into a couple of people who got the abbreviations of the states wrong (and one who almost ended up in Hancock, Maine, instead of Hancock, Michigan). To be clear, Minnesota is MN, and Michigan is MI.
Isle Royale National Park Map
The things to do in Isle Royale National Park anxiously await unraveling, but first, let me help you get your bearings about where Isle Royale is located.
The park sits about 60 miles from the main section of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and 25 miles (at the nearest point) from Minnesota’s eastern edge. In fact, it’s closer to Canada than the mainland U.S.
Isle Royale National Park’s main ports are Rock Harbor and Windigo. If you are staying at the Rock Harbor Lodge, do NOT take a ferry to Windigo.
How to Get to Isle Royale National Park
Cities to consider for your departure points are:
- Grand Portage, Minnesota: If you prefer different stops around the island, like Daisy Farm or Malone Bay, this is the best option. The full sweep of the island’s waters means you’ll be onboard longer, up to seven or eight hours. Day trips are offered.
- Grand Marais, Minnesota: Only seaplanes take off from here, but they go to Rock Harbor or Windigo.
- Houghton/Hancock, Michigan: Longest direct ferry ride, up to six hours long. Seaplane leaves from Hancock.
- Copper Habor, Michigan: About 2.5 hours on the ferry to Rock Harbor.
I put together this map (below) to help you get a visual of where ports and docks are located. Your departure point grows in importance when you consider where you want to land on the island, how long of a boat ride you want, or if you’d prefer a shorter seaplane ride.
You can take this shortcut to the ferry details provided later in this article.
One of the most important things I can tell you about a trip to Isle Royale National Park is this – just because the park is open it doesn’t mean the ferries or seaplanes will be active. Some ferries don’t start up until late May and end in mid-September, even though the park opens in mid-April and doesn’t close until November 1.
Top 10 Things to Do at Isle Royale National Park
As noted above, plan your port around the things you want to do. You’ll also need to consider if you want to plan activities with a water taxi or seaplane to the other side.
I’m giving you a raw list of the best things to do, not necessarily an itinerary (though we’ll do one of those in a separate article).
11. Paddle to Raspberry Island
Take the mile paddle from Rock Harbor to Raspberry Island, where you can turn an afternoon into a paddle/hike combo.
Two trails run across the island, each no more than one mile. Raspberry Island stands as one of the best spots for a sunset view or cruise. Along the way, look for the gray, shiny rocks peeking below your feet. The name of the rock is slickensides, and it shows the marks left behind when rocks scrape against each other while a fault is forming.
Another great sunset spot awaits at Rainbow Cove. However, it’s nine miles each way from Windigo. Feldtmann Lake Campground guests will love this option within a mile’s walk.
When planning your sunset hikes, it’s important to realize that Isle Royale, Michigan, is at the far western end of the Eastern Time Zone. That means sunsets don’t happen until nearly 10pm around the summer solstice.
10. Greenstone Ridge Trail
PORT: Either Windigo or Rock Harbor
You’re likely either 100% in on this one or passing on it like the vegetable you don’t like at dinner. The Greenstone Ridge Trail takes three to seven days to complete and covers 40 miles across the length of the island.
The trail runs between Rock Harbor and Windigo, with an option to pick it up at Hidden Lake. The last option requires a water taxi or personal boat to access.
Once you’re on the path, you’ll snake along the island’s backbone through boreal forests, hug dramatic rocky ridges, hop over boggy sections, and skirt the edges of serene inland lakes. Each leg of the journey keeps Lake Superior in sight. Wildlife abounds, but remember to keep a safe distance.
HIKING TIP: Summer travelers should choose August – that’s when the fewest bugs are omnipresent during that season.
9. Carve Out Time for Caves
PORT: Rock Harbor
By land and sea, caves are waiting to be explored on the elevated island of Isle Royale. Suzy’s Cave offers the ideal access for any hiker. Starting at Rock Harbor, choose between the Tobin Harbor Trail or Rock Harbor Trail to get there. You can do it as a loop or out and back.
In reality, Suzy’s Cave impresses with the story and not the size. The creation of this cave happened four millennia ago. As you stand there, you realize the Lake Superior level was one at this height. It now rests 90 feet above the shore. The roundtrip on just these sections of the trails runs about 3.8 miles. Completing it takes about two hours, but take your time – those views!
WHICH PATH? The park rangers say the Rock Harbor Trail provides a more challenging hike, but I would offer that unless you are prone to stumbling over your own feet, take the round trip. The biggest difference is Rock Harbor includes walking on rocks and exposed tree roots, while Tobin Harbor Trail offers a distinct, cleared path (barring storm debris). Both trails boast water views, but Rock Harbor Trail takes you right along the shoreline.
Kayakers will find sea caves around the island. I highly recommend asking a park ranger or a paddling expert for the best spots. I highly recommend anyone who isn’t familiar with paddling Lake Superior waters to watch this video.
8. Take a Shine to Lighthouses
Isle Royale, Michigan, makes a great place for a national park but a terrible spot along a major shipping route. That means lighthouses – many of them – try to clear the path for ships. (You’ll see in our next section just how dangerous this channel is!)
You get four unique and dynamic lighthouses to explore, but they aren’t easy (or cheap) to get to on a given day. Rock Harbor Lodge offers lighthouse boat tours. As a lighthouse lover, I simply needed to see all of them. However, it’s important to note that the daily tours generally just cover one lighthouse. My next trip will include a round-the-island adventure to see all of them on an overnight tour.
Rock Harbor Light
The most popular lighthouse at Isle Royale National Park is Rock Harbor Light. You can see the lighthouse with a short 10-15 minute walk from Rock Harbor, but only a private boat or tour company can get you to the lighthouse.
The Rock Harbor Light first lit up in 1855 with a light that reached 15 miles into a murky and unforgiving Lake Superior. Just four years later, it was shut down, only to get put back in use in 1874. That resurrection only lasted five years.
Now, the lighthouse holds a museum in the former keeper’s house.
Isle Royale Light
Isle Royale Light’s perch on Menagerie Island awaits three miles southeast of Isle Royal’s main section, about dead center of the island, making your port of choice irrelevant. First lit in 1875, automation was installed in 1913. The 61-foot-tall lighthouse still uses a beam that shoots 10 miles out over the water. The lighthouse stands out for its sandstone tower, which is a mix of white, red, and brown.
FUN FACT: The original lighthouse keeper on Menagarie Island raised 11 kids here with his wife. One of his sons tended to the light until automation arrived.
Rock of Ages Light
On the southwestern edge of the park’s watery footprint, Rock of Ages Lighthouse stands a lonely and powerful 117 feet tall. The rocky outcropping that anchors it has just enough room for the lighthouse itself. Named for the Rock of Ages Reef that lies beneath, several ships succumbed to the dangerous rocks before and during the lighthouse reign.
See the original Fresnel lens and learn more about the lighthouse at the Windigo Visitor Center, but you won’t be able to climb this isolated lighthouse.
Passage Island Light
Three miles north of the northernmost point of Isle Royale National Park stands Passage Island Lighthouse. It guides ships through that narrow “passage” of water as it has since 1882. Ship captains call this route “threading the needle” for navigation. As the name suggests, Passage Island is only accessible by boat.
7. See a Shipwreck
Ten ships found their final resting place in the frigid Lake Superior waters. All are diveable, though the Kamloops is the most treacherous – 200 feet down. Four are on the Windigo side of the island—the others scatter around mid-island and the Rock Harbor section.
What makes diving in these waters different than many other national park diving experiences is the cold water that has preserved and encapsulated the wood and steel. In fact, the National Park Service says shoes have been found on the boats you could still wear today. The interior is frozen in time, only with the damage caused by the sinking.
Divers are required to register upon arrival. Charter tours with people who know these waters well are available, but the National Park Service employs many divers here who can help with expert tips. Read Shipwrecks of Isle Royale National Park: The Archeological Survey to get more information about the ships before diving.
6. Hike to Fire Towers
PORT: Rock Harbor or Windigo
The highest point on the island rises from Ojibway Tower. If you’re waking the Greenstone Ridge Trail, you’ll pass by her. However, you can do it in a 3.5-mile out-and-back hike from Daisy Farm. Water taxis from Rock Harbor stop at Daisy Farm. Technically, you COULD walk there on the Greenstone or Rock Harbor Trail, but that’s a 16-mile roundtrip adventure.
On the Windigo end of the island, the Feldtmann Tower gives a different vantage point. You’re looking at a five to six-mile hike from any closest trail point, which includes Feldtmann Lake Campground, Siskiwit Campground, and Rainbow Cove.
Both towers are closed at the very top but climb up the stairs until you get to the gate for the most epic views. Ishpeming Fire Tower doesn’t warrant a hike by itself. The tower isn’t that high, and visitors aren’t allowed.
5. Paddle the Day Away
Isle Royale National Park’s natural layout begs to be paddled. Much like Voyageurs National Park, you’ll likely walk as much as you row.
The inland lakes offer a calmer experience, while the perimeter or barrier islands put you in the potential wrath (but EPIC beauty) of Lake Superior. I’m not sure if I’ve ever hugged a coastline more than this one while rowing the first time.
KNOW BEFORE YOU ROW: Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. In fact, only the freshwater is keeping this from being a sea. It behaves much like a sea, only moodier with weather that can change quickly and waves you’d never expect on a lake. The only thing you don’t need to worry about when paddling here is the tide schedule.
A bonus of kayaking on a multi-day trip is the cross-country camping, what you might refer to normally as backcountry. You will need a permit for this, but locations are first-come, first-served. Despite the eye-roll-inducing “least visited park” moniker, you should know these campsites fill up quickly during peak season.
The park also lists the designated campgrounds based on whether they are near inland lakes or Lake Superior.
Kayak and canoe rental availability sits at either end of the island. You can also bring your own on the ferry routes. I should warn you – many portage trails exist here, and you can’t use any roller device to help with the portage.
One of the easier paddle spots is Washington Harbor near Windigo. The bay is protected from the rough waters of Lake Superior.
4. Follow the Path to Mount Franklin
Mount Franklin is a destination that leaves out of Rock Harbor. It serves as a great starting point for the Greenstone Ridge Trail, but you can do the 10-mile roundtrip hike to the mountaintop in one day. You’ll ascend 500 feet, which feels steeper in parts.
Prepare for a boggy walk with narrow boards that rise above the ground. Put on that mosquito netting before you leave the shoreline. At the top, you’ll soak in spectacular views of the lake, with Passage Island and then Canada beyond.
If you choose this route, you can also add Suzy’s Cave if you take the Rock Harbor Trail. Look for blueberries, thimbleberries and raspberries along the trail. ((FINALLY! Trails where bears can’t scare you off from berries, am I right?))
IN WINDIGO?: The closest comparison on the Windigo side is Feldtmann Lake Trail.
3. “Lookout Louise!”
The best views at Isle Royale come from Lookout Louise —a simple-looking trail by the map – just a mile or so from Hidden Lake. However, this scenic viewpoint comes with calf-burning and the “wildest” part of the wilderness. Prepare for bogs with even narrower walkways, whatever the step is just before bushwhacking, and some boulder scrambling.
Along the way, you’ll pass Monument Rock. This monument stands near what was once the shoreline just after the Ice Age.
It’s worth noting that some of the oldest rocks on this planet are under your feet (or boat). The island formation happened due to a series of volcanos that created the island and the glaciers that carved it, with help from Lake Superior.
You’ll need a boat or water taxi to get to Hidden Lake. Technically, you have the option to hike, but that’s nine miles each way.
IN WINDIGO?: The equivalent trail on the Windigo side is Minong Ridge Overlook.
2. Go Fish
Hikers, boaters, and paddlers with an angling itch should consider casting into the inland waters or Lake Superior. The beauty of fishing here comes with the unique species found in the Great Lake or the inland lakes, but not in both.
A license is only needed for anyone fishing Lake Superior. More importantly, the rules do get stringent beyond that. Review the rules for seasons, catch-and-release, bait limitations, and how to handle fish waste. Fishing is allowed from docks in the park, provided you don’t disrupt or block other people.
The Edison Fishery near Rock Harbor Light usually comes as an added bonus to any boat tour of the lighthouse.
1. Look for Moose and Wolves
A delicate yet aggressive battle between these two species continues on Isle Royale. I’m sure many of you read this article just to find the answer to the question, “Where can I see a moose at Isle Royale National Park?” I’m here to help you out.
My trip turned lucky, as it seemed I couldn’t step over a rock without seeing a moose in the bog. Moose are most likely to be seen at dawn and dusk, and up to 1,000 of them roam this land. They’ll hide in the forest during the hot days and look for water, food, and a cooldown near:
- Washington Creek (Windigo)
- Ojibway Lake
- Feldtmann Lake
- Hidden Lake (Tobin Harbor)
The elusive nature of a wolf makes spotting one more challenging, not to mention that less than two dozen roam the land. Back in 2018, that number was two, and they were inbred. After reintroducing wolves to the wild here in 2019, those numbers have increased exponentially. In 1980, 50 wolves lived here.
To Learn More: We realize that moving wolves to different locations is a controversial topic. To learn more about the program at Isle Royale National Park, here’s a great place to start.
Isle Royale Ferry
Navigating the nuances of Isle Royale National Park is easier when you consider the choices other people have made. Many visitors to this park are repeat visitors. With that in mind, here’s a list of the most popular ferry and seaplane services, starting with the most popular.
Even though the park doesn’t open until mid-April, ferry tickets go on sale at the start of the new year. Prime dates will go quickly!
Day Trips to Isle Royale Ferries
Overnight Trips to Isle Royale Ferries
Bring your personal boat or rent one; about 18% of overnight guests made that choice.
Isle Royale National Park Lodging
Everyone asks, “How long do I need to stay in Isle Royale/Yellowstone/Yosemite,” etc. Most times, the answer comes easy. I mean, doing Yellowstone in one day isn’t fun. Also, the average person can spend one day in Death Valley National Park and feel content.
Not Isle Royale National Park.
I encourage anyone planning a trip to this island retreat to stay between three days to a full week. Here’s why:
- Ferry rides take a minimum of 2.5 hours. Some go as long as six hours. Certain vendors don’t do out-and-back trips in a day. Others provide you just 2-3 hours on the island before the return trip. If you want to enjoy Isle Royale, stay a couple of nights (at least).
- Getting from here to there isn’t easy at Isle Royale National Park. With a carless island, you’re hoofing it or paying for another boat/seaplane to see other parts of an island that is 14 miles long and nine miles wide.
- Isle Royale National Park beckons campers with 36 – THIRTY-SIX – campsites across 207 square miles. Plus, you have the Rock Harbor Lodge if you want climate control and fresh bedding. In fact, I crunched the data – the average stay at Isle Royale is 3.5 nights per person.
- You’ll miss things with a day trip. Want to see those moose in the morning mist? Too bad; you’re on the ferry at that time. You’re on the way back by the time wolves come out howling at night.
You don’t HAVE to stay more than a day. However, after looking at park data for 2023, just 18% of guests on the island chose day trips.
They know what you now know – the Isle Royale Park experience is worth more time.
Is Isle Royale Worth It?
Absolutely. The ideal trip comes with extensive planning to ensure you’re making the most of your time. Kayakers and moderately experienced hikers will love it. Since there isn’t that “ONE PLACE” that everyone wants to see or a massive peak tempting you to spend a whole day doing just that, you get a better pace suited to your desires.
My first trip brought on a certain amount of anxiety with so many options to choose from. However, there isn’t a WRONG way to get to the island or BAD port.
What I realized was a lot of the decisions were made for me based on my goals.
- I get seasick sometimes. I needed the shorter boat rides.
- I don’t like seaplanes. Option eliminated.
- I love to kayak, so I hunted down those paths.
I think if you start with what you don’t want to do, it becomes easier to plan.
And if you’re still skeptical, let someone else plan it. Many tour companies offer day trips or guided hikes/kayak routes that can last up to a week. That includes the ferry, some food, and adventure supplies.
In summary, my #1 piece of advice for Isle Royale National Park first-timers is this – don’t let the “least visited park” status lead to you assuming ferry spots, campsites, and tours will be available. Another “least visited” park is Dry Tortugas National Park, and reservations for the boat can fill up to a year in advance!
List of Things to Do in Isle Royale National Park
- Look for Moose & Wolves
- Go Fish
- Lookout Louise
- Follow the Path to Mount Franklin
- Paddle the Day Away
- Hike to Fire Towers
- See a Shipwreck
- Take a Shine to Lighthouses
- Carve Out Time for Caves
- Hike Greenstone Ridge Trail
- Paddle to Raspberry Island
Pin Things to Do in Isle Royale National Park
Helpful Related Links
More Michigan Parks: 6 Beautiful Michigan National Parks You Need to See! (Photos + Tips)
Landmarks in Michigan: 20 MUST-SEE Michigan Landmarks (Expert Guide + Photos)
Minnesota National Parks: 6 EPIC Minnesota National Parks Worth Visiting (Guide + Photos)
Least Visited National Park: 10 Least Visited US National Parks (Updated 2023 + Photos)
Largest National Parks: 15 Largest National Parks in the United States (+ Full List)
Best National Parks Ranked: ALL 63 US NATIONAL PARKS RANKED By Experts
List of National Monuments: Ultimate List of National Monuments (Alphabetical + By State)
Free Downloadable National Parks Map & List: LIST & MAP of National Parks By State (+ Printable Checklist)
Best National Monuments: All 128 US National Monuments Ranked (Best to Worst)
Most Visited National Parks: Top 10 Most Visited US National Parks
Least Visited National Parks: Top 10 Least Visited National Parks
Best East Coast National Parks: Top 10 Best East Coast National Parks Ranked
Utah National Parks Road Trips: 5 Best Utah National Park Road Trips
Best National Park Road Trips: 10 Best National Park Road Trips
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