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Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale

Challenging Michigan

Become a Summer 2026 Artist-In-Residence, Teen Artist, or Emerging Artist at Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park will expand its Artist-in-Residence programs in coordination with America ...

Dec 11, 2025
An artistic rendering of a moose carrying a miniature ecosystem in its antlers.

Overview

Isle Royale National Park occupies a 45-mile-long island in the northwest corner of Lake Superior, accessible only by boat or seaplane. This isolation — the island is closer to Canada than to any U.S. road — makes it one of the least visited national parks in the system but one of the most deeply experienced. Visitors who make the multi-hour crossing stay for days, hiking a 165-mile trail network through boreal forest, camping on rocky shorelines, and paddling past moose feeding in quiet coves. The island is famous for the world's longest-running predator-prey study, tracking wolves and moose since 1958. After the wolf population crashed to two animals in 2018, the park translocated new wolves from the mainland, and the population has rebounded. Moose are everywhere — swimming between islands, browsing birch saplings along trails, and bedding down in campgrounds. Sighting one is virtually guaranteed on a multi-day trip. The Greenstone Ridge Trail runs 40 miles along the island's spine, connecting Rock Harbor on the east end to Windigo on the west, with shelters and campgrounds spaced a day's hike apart. The trail crosses rocky ridges with views of Lake Superior stretching to the horizon, passes through dense spruce-fir forest, and dips into harbors where pre-dawn fog lifts off the cold water. Isle Royale rewards those who commit to its pace — slow, quiet, and profoundly wild.

Things to Do

  • Backpack the 40-mile Greenstone Ridge Trail
  • Paddle a canoe or kayak between island harbors
  • Watch moose feed in lakeside coves
  • Dive the shipwrecks of Lake Superior
  • Fish for lake trout and northern pike
  • Hike to Lookout Louise for panoramic views
  • Stay at Rock Harbor Lodge for a more comfortable visit
Aerial View of Washington Harbor and Beaver Island.

Beaver Island Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Aerial view of Belle Isle and surrounding waterways.

Belle Isle Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Birch Island Campground shelter visible across water through tress with a blue sky overhead.

Birch Island Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Aerial view of West Caribou Island surrounded by the blue waters of Lake Superior.

Caribou Island Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
A lichen-covered rock marks the entrance to Chippewa Harbor.

Chippewa Harbor Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Sunrise on the beach at Daisy Farm Campground

Daisy Farm Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Beautiful blues highlight the waters of Duncan Bay.

Duncan Bay Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Aerial view of the blue waters of Duncan Bay Narrows and the surrounding green, boreal forest.

Duncan Narrows Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
View of aquatic vegetation and trees surrounding Chickenbone Lake.

East Chickenbone Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Yellow tent sits on the edge of trees which sit on the edge of Feldtmann Lake.

Feldtmann Lake Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Campground shelter with a picnic table and thimbleberries

Grace Island Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
A tent at an individual tent site with a view of Hatchet Lake in the fall.

Hatchet Lake Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Cleared area with a picnic table surrounded by trees.

Hay Bay Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
View of the blue waters of Hugunnin Cove with the shoreline of Canada in the distance.

Huginnin Cove Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Calm waters of a small lake greet the bow of an overturned canoe with paddles resting against it.

Intermediate Lake Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
A small clearing covered in leaves surrounded by trees in fall color.

Island Mine Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
View of Lake Richie with a few trees along the shoreline.

Lake Richie Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
From the water, a view of the distant shoreline where the Lake Richie Canoe Campsite is located.

Lake Richie Canoe Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Tent in shadow beneath trees with lake in the distance.

Lake Whittlesey Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Backpack with a hat atop it resting in a cleared area, Trees edge the shoreline of Lake Superior.

Lane Cove Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Tent set up at a Little Todd Campground tent site at sunset.

Little Todd Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
View of the blue waters of Malone Bay from the shoreline.

Malone Bay Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Dock stretching into McCargoe Cove. Shoreline visible across cove.

McCargoe Cove Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
A child pressed against a tent on the edge of Lake Superior.

Merritt Lane Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Soft sunset with small moon visible at Moskey Basin Campground.

Moskey Basin Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
View of the blue waters of Lake Desor from the North Lake Desor Campground.

North Desor Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
A tent sits on a small peninsula in Lake Superior. Trees rise behind the tent.

Pickerel Cove Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Wooden campground shelter with picnic table in front.

Rock Harbor Campground

Sites available

RestroomsShowersWater
FreeWalk-in only
Sunset on the horizon of Siskiwit Bay, Lake Superior with a dock stretching into the water

Siskiwit Bay Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Aerial view of the blue waters of Lake Desor surrounded by a green hardwood forest.

South Lake Desor Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Scenic view of Lake Superior's Rock Harbor Channel from a camp site with a tent.

Three Mile Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
A campsite with a tent and picnic table

Todd Harbor Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Aerial view of islands in Lake Superior on the edge of Isle Royale

Tookers Island Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
Aerial view of the winding Washington Creek surrounded by a green forest.

Washington Creek Campground

Sites available

RestroomsShowersWater
FreeWalk-in only
Aerial view of the blue water of Chickenbone Lake.

West Chickenbone Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
A canoe on the rocky shoreline of Wood Lake stretching into the water with scenery.

Wood Lake Campground

Sites available

Water
FreeWalk-in only
The forested islands of Isle Royale National Park surrounded by Lake Superior.
Backcountry Camping

Greenstone Section 1: Hike from Lookout Louise to Mount Franklin

This secluded section of the Greenstone Ridge Trail reaches to the northeastern tip of Isle Royale. ...

1 DaySpring, Summer
View from a ridge overlooking an interior lake, a forest, Lake Superior, and Canada's shoreline.
Backcountry Camping

Minong Section 1: Hike from McCargoe Cove to Todd Harbor

Try out Isle Royale's most challenging trail by trekking this more traveled section of this primitiv...

1 DaySpring, Summer
The trail crosses an exposed rocky ridge surrounded by forest.
Backcountry Camping

Minong Section 2: Hike from Todd Harbor to Little Todd

Enjoy scenic views of interior lakes, Lake Superior, and Canada on this strenuous, primitive trail. ...

1 DaySpring, Summer
A person with a backpack and a stick stands on an exposed ridge overlooking a forest and a lake.
Backcountry Camping

Minong Section 3: Hike from Little Todd to North Desor

Trek the most challenging section of the primitive Minong Ridge Trail with strenuous hill climbs, un...

1 DaySpring, Summer
A person with a backpack hikes along a beaver dam near a beaver pond surrounded by forest.
Backcountry Camping

Minong Section 4: Hike from North Desor to Windigo

Discover remnants of a wildfire, carefully trek over beaver dams, and roll with the ridges of the lo...

1 DaySpring, Summer
Two people sit on a rocky outcropping over looking a forest and lakes on an island in Lake Superior.
Backcountry Camping

Hike the Mount Franklin Trail

Looking for a hike with a scenic view? The Mount Franklin Trail connects Three Mile Campground to Mo...

1-4 HoursSpring, Summer
View All 30 Activities
View from rocky ridge with trees and Lake Superior in the background.

Amygdaloid Island

Isle Royale National Park

Amygdaloid Island, found on Isle Royale National Park’s northern shore, offers a unique geological experience.

Boats dock at Windigo.

Boating Introduction

Isle Royale

Permit, fees, itinerary- know all things boating before you venture to Isle Royale.

Four people with large backpacks and hiking poles hike on a rocky shoreline.

Current Conditions at Isle Royale

Isle Royale

Make sure to check the current conditions before your next trip to Isle Royale.

Fire tower stands in tall grass surrounded by trees.

Feldtmann Tower

Isle Royale National Park

The Feldtmann Fire Tower offers a unique 360 degree view of the west end of Isle Royale National Park.

Three people jump off a dock into water as one person watched while the sun sets.

First Timer's Guide to Isle Royale

Isle Royale

Planning a trip to Isle Royale? Make sure to review this guide before your journey.

View All 30 Places

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Moose Gray Wolf Red Fox Snowshoe Hare Loon Bald Eagle Brook Trout

Pro Tips

  • 💡 The ferry from Houghton, Michigan takes 6 hours; the seaplane from Houghton takes 35 minutes but is expensive
  • 💡 Bring all food and supplies — there is a small camp store at Rock Harbor but selection is limited and pricey
  • 💡 Moose encounters are common; give them at least 25 yards and never get between a cow and calf
  • 💡 The park is only open mid-April through October; most visitors come July-August for the warmest weather
  • 💡 Solo travelers should be comfortable with backcountry navigation and bear-canister food storage (required)

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Cool Lake Superior climate even in summer, with highs of 60-75°F and cold nights. Rain and fog are frequent. Lake Superior water temperature rarely exceeds 55°F. The park closes in winter.

Best seasons: Summer