Isle Royale National Park

View from above the trees looking down at Duncan Bay Narrows, trees, Lake Superior, and Canada.
Isle Royale, located in the northwestern corner of Lake Superior, offers views of the Canadian shoreline.
Ice floes float in a harbor
Isle Royale National Park is closed in winter, with the exception of a few visiting researchers.
Aerial View of Belle Harbor
Isle Royale is also called Minong, which means "the good place" by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Minong is a part of the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe/Ojibwe peoples who have cared for these lands from time immemorial.
Young bull moose browsing for food
Moose are one of the few mammal species who have journeyed to the island.
Aerial view of Rock of Ages Lighthouse
Rock of Ages is one of four lighthouses at Isle Royale National Park.
Diverse colored Aurora Borealis in the night sky
Isle Royale National Park's dark skies make it an excellent location to enjoy nighttime phenomenon, like the Aurora Borealis.
Photos: National Park Service

About Isle Royale National Park

Explore a rugged, isolated island far from our connected communities. Isle Royale offers adventures for backpackers, hikers, boaters, paddlers, and divers. Cross Lake Superior and make a commitment: Become a part of this island, and let it become a part of you. Find peace and refuge in island wilderness – because Isle Royale, in turn, finds refuge in us. Help Isle Royale stay wild.

Quick Facts

State Michigan
Designation National Park
State Code MI
Weather Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior. Weather influences traveling to and from the island, as well as your trip once you…

Location & Map

Isle Royale National Park is located in Michigan.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person $7.00

$7 per person per day to enter or remain in Isle Royale National Park. Children 15 and younger are exempt. Visiting Park Headquarters in Houghton, MI does not require a fee.

Operating Hours

Isle Royale National Park is open annually from April 16 to October 31. Transportation services are offered from May to September. The island and its surrounding islands are closed to all visitors from November 1 to April 15 due to extreme winter weather conditions and for the safety and protection of visitors. This closure extends 4.5 miles out into Lake Superior from the island. Park headquarters during the winter is in Houghton, Michigan. Summer headquarters is located at Mott Island on Isle Royale.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Arts and Culture Astronomy Stargazing Boating Motorized Boating Sailing Boat Tour Camping Backcountry Camping Canoe or Kayak Camping Group Camping Fishing Freshwater Fishing Food Dining Flying Guided Tours Boat Tour Hiking Backcountry Hiking Front-Country Hiking Off-Trail Permitted Hiking Paddling Canoeing Canoe or Kayak Camping Kayaking Junior Ranger Program SCUBA Diving Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

Isle Royale National Park headquarters is located in Houghton, MI. Visit the Houghton page on the Isle Royale National Park website for additional information and a map on how to access the visitor center.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 800 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931
Phone 9064820984

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $60.00

Isle Royale Season Pass: $60 valid from April 16 through October 31 of the year indicated. Pass covers fees for the pass holder and up to three adults traveling with the pass holder (four total).

Topics & Themes

Arts Industry Mining Maritime Lighthouses Ships and Shipwrecks Schools and Education Transportation Animals Birds Fish Wolves Coasts, Islands and Atolls Fire Forests and Woodlands Coniferous Forests Deciduous Forests Geology Lakes Night Sky Astronomy Aurora Borealis Scenic Views Trails Unique Species Rare Endangered Wetlands Wilderness

Things To Do

Greenstone Section 1: Hike from Lookout Louise to Mount Franklin

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. Mileage: About 5 miles

The trail is 18 inches wide and covered with rocks and roots. 

Minong Section 1: Hike from McCargoe Cove to Todd Harbor

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 primitive trail. Mileage: About 6.7…

Minong Section 2: Hike from Todd Harbor to Little Todd

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. Mileage: About 6.8 miles

Minong Section 3: Hike from Little Todd to North Desor

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, unsure footing, and picturesque ridgetop…

Minong Section 4: Hike from North Desor to Windigo

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 longest section of…

Hike the Mount Franklin Trail

Hike the Mount Franklin Trail

Looking for a hike with a scenic view? The Mount Franklin Trail connects Three Mile Campground to Mount Franklin, an…

Visitor Centers

Houghton Visitor Center

The Houghton Visitor Center is located in Houghton, Michigan. It is the mainland headquarters for Isle Royale National Park. Trip planning assistance, Ranger III tickets…

Hours: April 15 - May 24: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm May 26 - September 20: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm EDT September 21 - October 31: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm, Closed Federal Holidays November 1 - April 14: Closed

Rock Harbor Visitor Center

The Rock Harbor Visitor Center is located in Rock Harbor on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. It is only accessible by boat…

Hours: Rock Harbor Visitor Center is open daily during July and August. For visiting during May, June, and September, contact the park for updated hours at (906) 482-0984. Rock Harbor's annual winter closure is from mid-September through early June

Windigo Visitor Center

The Windigo Visitor Center is located in Windigo on the southwest end of Isle Royale National Park. It is only accessible by boat or seaplane.…

Hours: Windigo Visitor Center is open daily during July and August. For visiting during May, June, and September, contact the park for updated hours at (906) 482-0984. Windigo's annual winter closure is from mid-September through early June

Campgrounds

Beaver Island Campground

Located in the center of Washington Harbor, near Windigo. All shelters are water facing. Boats can stay at the dock overnight. Stay Limit: 3 nights…

3 Sites

Belle Isle Campground

A campground located on Belle Isle, in Belle Harbor, on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can use dock for overnight stays.…

7 Sites

Birch Island Campground

Small campground on Birch Island, near the mouth of McCargoe Cove, on the north side of Isle Royale National Park. One individual tent site and…

2 Sites

Caribou Island Campground

Caribou Island Campground is located on the very western tip of West Caribou Island, in Rock Harbor Channel, on the northeast end of Isle Royale…

3 Sites

Chippewa Harbor Campground

Chippewa Harbor Campground is located in Chippewa Harbor, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park. Trail access is via the Indian Portage Trail.…

7 Sites

Daisy Farm Campground

Isle Royale's largest campground is located at Daisy Farm, in Rock Harbor Channel, off of the Rock Harbor Trail, Daisy Farm Trail, and Mount Ojibway…

25 Sites

Duncan Bay Campground

Duncan Bay Campground is located on the west end of Duncan Bay, on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can stay overnight…

3 Sites

Duncan Narrows Campground

Duncan Narrows Campground is located in the narrows of Duncan Bay on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can stay overnight at…

3 Sites

East Chickenbone Campground

An inland campground located on the east end of Chickenbone Lake, off of the East Chickenbone Trail. No boater access. Canoe/kayak access using 1.2 mile…

4 Sites

Feldtmann Lake Campground

Feldtmann Lake Campground is located on the shoreline of Feldtmann Lake, off the Feldtmann Lake and Feldtmann Ridge Trails, on the southwest end of Isle…

7 Sites

Grace Island Campground

Grace Island Campground is located on Grace Island, outside of Washington Harbor, on the southwest end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can dock overnight.…

2 Sites

Hatchet Lake Campground

Hatchet Lake Campground is located on Hatchet Lake off of the Hatchet Lake Trail. This campground is located near the center of the island. Stay…

8 Sites

Hay Bay Campground

Hay Bay Campground is located in Hay Bay on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3…

1 Sites

Huginnin Cove Campground

Huginnin Cove Campground is located at Huginnin Cove, on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the West and East Huginnin Cove…

5 Sites

Intermediate Lake Campground

Intermediate Lake Campground is located on the shoreline of Intermediate Lake. Intermediate Lake can be accessed via a .6 mile portage from Lake Richie or…

3 Sites

Island Mine Campground

Island Mine Campground is located .5 miles south from the junction of the Greenstone and Island Mine Trails, on the Island Mine Trail. This inland…

6 Sites

Lake Richie Campground

Lake Richie Campground is located on the north shore of Lake Richie, off of the Indian Portage Trail. Canoe/kayak access from .6 mile portage from…

6 Sites

Lake Richie Canoe Campground

Lake Richie Canoe Campground is located on the north shore of Lake Richie. Canoe/kayak access via the .6 mile portage from Intermediate Lake, the 1.2…

3 Sites

Lake Whittlesey Campground

Lake Whittlesey Campground is located on the north shore of Lake Whittlesey. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights. Three individual tent sites are available.…

3 Sites

Lane Cove Campground

Lane Cove Campground is located in Lane Cove, on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Lane Cove Trail. The Lane…

5 Sites

Little Todd Campground

Little Todd Campground is located in Little Todd, on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Minong Ridge Trail. Stay Limit:…

4 Sites

Malone Bay Campground

Malone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Ishpeming Trail. Boats can overnight…

7 Sites

McCargoe Cove Campground

McCargoe Cove Campground is located in McCargoe Cove, on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Indian Portage and East Chickenbone…

12 Sites

Merritt Lane Campground

Merritt Lane Campground is located in Merritt Lane on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3…

2 Sites

Moskey Basin Campground

Moskey Basin Campground is located in Moskey Basin at the west end of Rock Harbor Channel, off of the Indian Portage and Rock Harbor Trails.…

10 Sites

North Desor Campground

North Desor Campground is located on the north side of Lake Desor off of the Minong Ridge Trail. There is no boat/canoe/kayak access. Stay Limit:…

3 Sites

Pickerel Cove Campground

Pickerel Cove Campground is located in Pickerel Cove on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park. Canoe/kayak access from Pickerel Cove or via .1…

1 Sites

Rock Harbor Campground

Rock Harbor Campground is located in Rock Harbor on the northeast end of Isle Royale, off of the Rock Harbor and Tobin Harbor Trails. Additional…

23 Sites

Siskiwit Bay Campground

Siskiwit Bay Campground is located in Siskiwit Bay on the southwest end of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Island Mine and Feldtmann Ridge…

9 Sites

South Lake Desor Campground

South Lake Desor Campground is located inland on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge Trail. There is no canoe/kayak/boat access.…

10 Sites

Three Mile Campground

Three Mile Campground is located on Rock Harbor Channel off of the Rock Harbor and Mount Franklin Trails. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit:…

15 Sites

Todd Harbor Campground

Todd Harbor Campground is located in Todd Harbor on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Minong Ridge Trail. Boats can…

9 Sites

Tookers Island Campground

Tookers Island Campground is located on Tookers Island in Rock Harbor Channel. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 –…

2 Sites

Washington Creek Campground

Washington Creek Campground is located along Washington Creek near Windigo on the southwest end of Isle Royale, off of the Feldtmann Lake, Minong, and Greenstone…

19 Sites

West Chickenbone Campground

West Chickenbone Campground is located on the west end of Chickenbone Lake, off of the Indian Portage Trail This inland campground has no boater access.…

9 Sites

Wood Lake Campground

Wood Lake Campground is located inland on the north shore of Wood Lake. Wood Lake can be accessed via a .6 mile portage from Lake…

3 Sites

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