| |
800 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931
Phone: 906-482-0984
Fax: 906-482-8753
Overview. Isle Royale National Park is a lush, green island surrounded by the cold and sometimes unforgiving waters of Lake Superior, and its remote wilderness is untouched by cars, roads, or a lot of modern conveniences. Visitors come to the island to get away from the din of city traffic and the frenetic pace of modern life. The park receives fewer people in one year than Yosemite does in a day, but don't let this statistic fool you. During the peak season, backpacking trails can be crowded because visitors stay longer at Isle Royale than they usually do at more visited parks. The park is difficult to get to, demanding at least a day's travel time, so you should expect to stay a few days to get your effort's worth.
The 8.5-mile-wide, 45-mile-long island is home to hardwood and evergreen forests, wetlands, numerous inland lakes, fox, moose, and timber wolves. Although wolf sightings are very rare, soulful howls can sometimes be heard late at night and are an unforgettable experience for campers. The wolves and moose have been the subject of a 45-year ecological study; researchers have found that Isle Royale's self-contained ecosystem is a perfect place for scientific study. It is a U.S. Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere program, and 99 percent of its land area is designated wilderness.
What to see and do. If backcountry solitude and natural, rugged beauty appeal to you, this is the ideal place for hiking, backpacking, and camping. Located off of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the island is accessible by boat or floatplane, and the two entrance points are at Rock Harbor, at the northeast end, and Windigo, on the southwest end. Rock Harbor is the larger of the two and slightly more developed with a restaurant, lodge, supply store, showers, and laundry facilities. There is no lodging available in Windigo, but a small store sells provisions and camp supplies. Canoe and outboard rentals, showers, and laundry are available at both locations.
Day trips to the island are possible, but a two- to four-day backpacking trip is the best way to appreciate this remote wilderness. Hikers find 165 miles of trails crisscrossing the island, and individual and group campsites are available along the trails. All camping on Isle Royale is backcountry. No RVs are allowed on the island. Another way to get around the island is via the Grand Portage ferry, Voyageur II, which makes several stops. Ask about the schedule at a visitor center. Leeches make swimming in the inland lakes unpleasant, and Lake Superior is generally much too cold.
You can also experience Isle Royale from the water, either in a sailboat anchored offshore or by canoeing or kayaking along narrow inlets or inland lakes. If scuba diving is your interest, you might want to explore any one of ten sunken ships.
Note: According to the National Park Service, Lake Superior can create an unstable, unpredictable climate, and rough weather might delay transportation to and from the island. Be sure to allow extra time before and after your trip.
| Activities and Services |
 |
| • |
Archeological Sites |
|
| • |
Bird Watching |
|
| • |
Fishing |
|
| • |
Food Service |
|
| • |
Geological Sites |
|
| • |
Gift Shop |
|
| • |
Hiking/Nature Trails |
|
| • |
Historic Sites |
|
| • |
Non-motor Boating |
|
| • |
Programs/Talks |
|
| • |
Self-guided Tours |
|
| • |
Wildflower Viewing |
|
| • |
Wildlife Viewing |
|
Search All National Parks
Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
|
