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Acreage Total park acreage is 571,790.11, of which 539,281.87 is federal and 32,508.24 nonfederal. Land area is 133,781.87; wilderness is designated in 132,018 of the land-based acres. Visitation Highest in late July through the third week of August; lowest in April to May and October. Location Isle Royale is located in Lake Superior about 17 miles southeast of Grand Portage, Minnesota, and about 45 miles north of Copper Harbor, Michigan. Headquarters for Isle Royale National Park during the summer is located on Mott Island, one of numerous islands associated with the Isle Royale archipelago. During the winter, headquarters is located in Houghton, Michigan, on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Address Headquarters Isle Royale National Park Operating Hours & Seasons Summer, April 16 to October 31, with full transportation services mid-June to Labor Day. Closed November 1 to April 15. Climate & Recommended Clothing Lake Superior weather is cool throughout the year and dense fog can occur in spring. During clear and sunny weather, temperatures rarely exceed 80¡F. Thunderstorms, rain and rough seas can occur throughout the season and may delay departures to and from the island. Bring plenty of warm clothing, even in August. A jacket is a must for the ferry trip to the island or if boating in area waters. Directions Winter headquarters for Isle Royale National Park is located in Houghton, Michigan, on the Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. During the summer, visitors can reach the lake via private ferries originating in Houghton and Copper Harbor, Michigan; or Grand Portage, Minnesota. A seaplane service operates out of Houghton, Michigan. Private boaters also visit Isle Royale. Transportation To park:
Houghton, MI (Seaplane Service): half-hour, one way, on-demand air service, mid-May through September service to Rock Harbor and Windigo, reservations (906) 482-8850 or write to: Isle Royale Seaplane Service, P. O. Box 371 Houghton, MI 49931-0366 Copper Harbor, MI (Isle Royale Queen III): 4.5 hours one way, 81-foot, 100-passenger vessel, mid-May through September service to and from Rock Harbor, reservations: (906) 289-4437 or write: The Royale Line, Box 24, Copper Harbor, MI 49918-0024 Grand Portage, MN (Voyageur II): 1.75 hours one way to Windigo, 6.25 hours one way to Rock Harbor, 63-foot, 48-passenger vessel, mid-May through October service to ports around island including Rock Harbor, reservations: (715) 392-5551 or write to: Grand Portage-Isle Royale Transportation Line, Inc. 1507 N. First Street, Superior, WI 54880-1146 Grand Portage, MN (Wenonah): 3 hours one way, 65-foot, 149-passenger vessel, June through Labor Day service to and from Windigo. For reservations, see above. In park: Hiking or backpacking; personal boat, canoe, or kayak; Voyageur II shuttle service to selected ports out of Grand Portage, MN M.V. Sandy, water charter service or canoe, boat and motor rental from National Park Concessions, Inc. operated out of Rock Harbor. Fees, Costs & Rates A user-fee of $4 per person was initiated in 1997 and goes to support visitor facilities. Children 11 and under are free. Optional individual season passes at $50 and season boat rider passes at $150 are available. Eighty percent of funds collected are returned to Isle Royale National Park for unfunded trail maintenance and dock repair and replacement on the island. The other 20% helps to mediate the backlog of building, road, and trail maintenance and other crucial projects at national parks and monuments throughout the United States. There are no other park admission or use fees. To purchase annual passes for the user fee via email: "ISRO_UserFee@nps.gov." Transportation rates to and from the island vary according to the point of departure. Campground use is free of charge and includes tent sites and three-sided shelters when available. Fishing and water charter service, scenic boat cruises, and lodging accommodations are provided by Rock Harbor Lodge, National Park Concessions, Inc. Phone (906) 337-4993 (May-September) or (502) 773-2191 (October-April). Golden Eagle Passport The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to any national park, monument, historical site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee. It is a great convenience for those who plan on visiting several different areas that charge special fees. It is valid for one year from the purchase date. A Golden Eagle Passport may be purchased for $50 at any National Park Service entrance fee area or by mail. To order by mail, send check or money order (no cash, please) to: National Park Service Where entry is by private vehicle, the Golden Eagle Passport will admit the passholder as well as any passengers. Where entry by private vehicle is not possible, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Eagle Passport will not reduce use fees, such as those for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours. It covers entrance fees only. Golden Age Passport The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass for those United States residents 62 years or older. These may be purchased at any National Park Service entrance fee area for a one-time processing fee of $10. The Golden Age Passport cannot be purchased by mail or telephone. Proof of age and citizenship or permanent residence must be shown at the time of purchase. The Golden Age Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. When entrance is not via private vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder as well as children, spouse, and parents. The Golden Age Pass grants a 50% discount to the holder on any federal use fees charged for things such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or tours. It does not, however, reduce the price of special recreation permit fees or fees for concessions. Golden Access Passport The Golden Access Passport is a free entrance pass to any national park, monument, historic site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge for those who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access passport may be obtained at any National Park Service entrance fee area. Proof of a medically determined disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law is necessary at purchase. The Golden Access Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. Where entrance is not by vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on any federal use fees charged for services and facilities. It does not cover special recreation permit fees or fees charged for concessions. All passes described above are non-transferable. Facilities & Opportunities Visitor Center & Exhibits Visitor centers are located at Rock Harbor and Windigo. Exhibits at visitor centers and at Rock Harbor Lighthouse explore local natural and cultural history topics. Other historic landmarks accessible by sightseeing cruises include Edisen Fishery, Passage Island Lighthouse, and the Minong Mine. Trails & Roads One hundred sixty-five miles of hiking trails accessible from numerous points around the island connect all campgrounds, except those accessible only by boat. Off-trail travel is permitted, but difficult because of dense vegetation, bogs, and swamps. Numerous lakes, bays and islands provide good paddling opportunities for canoes and kayaks. Overnight docking and "anchoring out" at selected areas is allowed for motorized vessels (sailboats and power boats).
Interpretive programs and guided walks by park rangers, park artists-in-residence, and other affiliates are offered from mid-June through Labor Day at Rock Harbor, Windigo, and Daisy Farm. Activities include nature and historical walks, evening slide programs and campfire talks. There are also scenic boat cruises to different parts of the island, including a historic lighthouse and commercial fishery. These activities focus on the flora and fauna of the island along with events of the island's colorful history. Lodging & Camping Facilities Sites for one to three tents and three-sided shelters (maximum six people) are available on a first-come first-served basis. Group campsites, for parties of 7 to 10 people, require advance reservations. Call (906) 482-0984 or email ISRO GroupReserve @nps.gov for group camping information and reservations. Long-term campground stays are not available and limits are in effect from June 1 through Labor Day. Rock Harbor Lodge, managed by National Park Concessions, Inc. offers lodge and housekeeping rooms with private baths. Call for lodging information at (906) 337-4993, May through September, and (502) 773-2191, October through April. Food & Supplies The marina at Rock Harbor Lodge is open from approximately mid-May through mid-September and offers diesel fuel, gasoline, and oil through National Park Concessions, Inc. Boats up to 65 feet can be accommodated, along with 110V AC electrical and fresh water hook-ups and pump-outs. Motor boat and canoe rentals by the half or full day or week are available. Gift/snack shop, lodge dining room, and marina grocery store at Rock Harbor offer souvenirs and gifts, camping and fishing supplies, laundry facilities and showers. A camp store at Windigo, operated through National Park Concessions, Inc., offers basic supplies, groceries, sandwiches, shower facilities, and fishing licenses. Canoes can be rented at Windigo from mid-June through Labor Day. Gasoline and oil may be purchased at Windigo from mid-May through mid-October. Bookstores operated by the Isle Royale Natural History Association are located at the Rock Harbor, Windigo, and Houghton Visitor Centers. Other Concession/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities: The National Park Service manages and maintains two visitor contact stations, two visitor centers, 165 miles of park trails, 88 screened shelters, and docks at more than 20 locations for visitor use. Permits must be acquired for lead diving, canoeing/kayaking, and hiking adventures into the park. Accessibility Isle Royale is largely a wilderness area. When planning a visit, recognize the wilderness mandate of the park and that there are topographic, vegetative, and physical obstacles that might require a visitor to need assistance. The park is perhaps ideal for the adept mobility impaired person who can experience the wilderness resource via canoe or sea kayak. For a free brochure on accessible facilities and services that the park offers, contact the park at (906) 482-0984. Special Needs Shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis and fires are prohibited. At most sites a self-contained fuel stove is imperative. Cooking stove and lantern fuel can be transported aboard the Ranger III only in small quantities (such as in fuel flasks) and must be purchased at the marina store in Rock Harbor. U.S. citizens returning from Canada and Canadian visitors to the island must clear U.S. Customs. No pets are allowed in the park, including those aboard private vessels. Recommended Park Use & Activities Take a sightseeing hike and view the panorama of Lake Superior and its abundant wildlife, including moose and fox. Hike scenic trails or take a sightseeing cruise to beautiful spots on the island, including historic lighthouses. Explore abandoned copper mines or visit a historic commercial fishery still in operation. Catch a native lake trout on a fishing charter while trolling along one of Isle Royale's reefs. Enjoy hospitality, food and service at the Rock Harbor Lodge Dining Room. Reservations & Permits Camping reservations are not available for shelters or campsites for parties of six or fewer persons. Campsites are assigned to all individual parties on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are required for groups, which are defined as parties of 7 to 10 persons. Email ISRO Group Reserve @nps.gov for reservations. Groups must follow an established itinerary and camp only in group campsites. Individual camping parties must obtain a free camping permit upon arriving on the island or at Rock Harbor and Windigo. This includes backpackers, kayakers and canoeists, boaters and fishermen. Reservations for Rock Harbor Lodge rooms or housekeeping cabins should be made a least two weeks prior to departure. Reservations can be made by contacting Rock Harbor Lodge, (906) 337-4993, summer or (502) 773-2101, winter. Transportation via the Ranger III, Isle Royale Seaplane, Voyageur II, or Wenonah also requires advanced reservation, especially during July and August. Transportation reservations can be made by calling the numbers listed under the Transportation section. A Michigan state fishing license is required for fishing Lake Superior waters. No license is required for fishing park inland lakes. Basic Visit Recommendations Any visit to Isle Royale will require substantial planning. Reservations must be made on a passenger ferry or seaplane to reach and return from the island, or visitors will need to pilot their own boats to the island. Equipment choices will depend on whether or not the visit will include backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, power boating, using lodging facilities, and other options. Late July through August is more crowded than the period between April and early July, and September through October. Visitor Impact The emphasis at Isle of Royale National Park is on low-impact camping to preserve the fragile environment and protect wildlife. Fires are prohibited in most areas, making self-contained stoves a must. Trash must be carried out of all areas of the park and may not be buried, burned, or put into pit toilets. Quiet hours are enforced and feeding or disturbing wildlife is prohibited. Dogs, cats, and other pets are not allowed within park boundaries nor are firearms and fireworks. Information regarding additional rules and regulations is available by contacting park headquarters. Adjacent Visitor Attractions Keweenaw National Historic Park is located in the Hancock-Calumet area, a short distance north of Houghton, Michigan. Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, Michigan. The North Country Trail is one of the nation's longest distance trails and passes through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Porcupine Mountains, McClain, and Fort Wilkins state parks are nearby. To the north of Isle Royale, the famed Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota and Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, draw many visitors. Isle Royale Natural History Association Isle Royale Natural History Association is a non-profit organization that supports educational and research activities in the Isle Royale National Park through the sale of educational materials and by fund-raising. Additional Information Write Park Headquarters: Isle Royale National Park, 800 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931 or call (906) 482-0984.
Long before Europeans arrived in North America, Native Americans were mining copper on Isle Royale. Using hand-held beach cobbles, they hammered out chunks of pure copper from the hard bedrock. Archeologists have excavated shallow mining pits, some dating back 4,500 years. It is believed these early miners were most active here from 800 to 1600 B.C. The late 1700s saw the advent of commercial fishing on Isle Royale. By the 18th and 19th century, a number of different industries came to the island, including modern copper mining. At that time, large areas were burned and logged and settlements developed. The American Fur Company used the ancient method of gill netting to take whitefish, lake trout, and siskiwit. The tradition has been handed down through fishermen's families. By the 1840s, the only Native American encampments that miners encountered were a maple sugaring camp on Sugar Mountain and a seasonal fishing camp on Grace Island. Early this century, Isle Royale became popular for summer homes, excursions and as a wilderness retreat. Detroit journalist Albert Stoll, namesake of the Stoll Trail, sparked the fight for the national park, established in 1940. Aquatic environments abound as nearly 80 percent of the national park is underwater in the form of shallow warm-water ponds, streams, rivers, and the deep, cold, waters of Lake Superior. Commercial fishing has been one of the mainstays of the island economy, beginning as early as 1800. The major commercial species are lake trout, whitefish, and herring. Most commercial fishing enterprises closed by the mid-20th century, however, and are now preserved at the historic Edisen Fishery. Today, species sought by sport fishermen are lake, brook, and rainbow trout; northern pike; walleye; and the yellow perch. Spring and fall produce the biggest catches, but fishing is good throughout the season. Isle Royale is an island of superlatives in wilderness and beauty. You will find your own superlatives here as you meet the island on its own terms: fishing, boating, hiking, backpacking, taking a guided interpretive walk or hike, or just relaxing.
Camping Camping reservations are not accepted for shelters or campsites for parties of six or fewer persons. Campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis to individual parties. Reservations are required for groups, parties of 7 to 10 persons. Email "ISRO_GroupReserve@nps.gov" for reservations. Group camping reservations and advance permits are available after February 1 from park headquarters: Isle Royale National Park Commercial Groups Your organization may need a "Commercial Use License" or "Special Use Permit" to conduct trips in the park. If you charge trip participants fees or if the trip leaders are compensated in any way, you fall into this category. This applies to both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Contact: Lodging Reservations for Rock Harbor Lodge rooms or housekeeping cabins should be made a least two weeks prior to departure. Reservations can be made by contacting Rock Harbor Lodge, (906) 337-4993 in summer, or (502) 773-2101 in winter. Transportation Transportation via the Ranger III, Isle Royale Seaplane, Voyageur II, or Wenonah also requires advanced reservation, especially for the months of July and August. General Information
Please call ahead for reservations and schedules. Ranger III Contact: Isle Royale National Park Voyageur II Contact: Grand Portage - Isle Royale Transportation Line, Inc. Wenonah Contact: Grand Portage - Isle Royale Transportation Line, Inc. Isle Royale Queen III Contact: The Royale Line, Box 24 Seaplane On-demand air service to Isle Royale from Houghton, Michigan, operates late May through late September. The seaplane accommodates up to five persons. The office is located on the Houghton Canal Road, 2 miles west of M-26. Five-day notice is required for refund and a 10% cancellation fee is withheld from all refunds For reservations and fare information, contact: Isle Royale Seaplane Service Parking is available at the seaplane departure point. General Reservation Information
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Wild
animals, pristine forests, clear lakes and rugged shoreline are
a few of Isle Royale National Park's many fine features. This island
archipelago is 45 miles long and 9 miles at its widest point. The
park encompasses a total area of 850 square miles, including submerged
lands that extend 4.5 miles into Lake Superior. Isle Royale has
165 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for backpackers
and recreational boaters. There is excellent Lake Superior fishing,
historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites,
and plenty of spots to observe wildlife. Accessible only by boat
or floatplane, Isle Royale is relatively untouched by direct outside
influences and serves as a living laboratory and International Biosphere
Reserve.
Houghton,
MI (Ranger III): 6.5 hours one way, 165-foot, 125-passenger vessel,
early June through mid-September service to and from Rock Harbor,
reservations: (906) 482-0984, email ISRO_Ranger3Reserve@nps.gov,
or write to: Isle Royale National Park 800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1869
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