Established
1940
Size
571,790 acres
Visitors / yr
28.8K
Entrance
$7/day
Best season
June through September
Nearest airport
CMX Houghton County Memorial
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Why Isle Royale is worth the trip
Michigan · Established 1940
Isle Royale is a 45-mile-long island in Lake Superior with no roads, no cars, and a long ferry or floatplane ride between you and it. Nobody wanders in by accident. It ranks among the least visited parks in the system, yet rangers like to say it is the one people most often come back to, and both facts have the same explanation.
The island runs on moose and wolves. Their predator-prey standoff has been studied continuously since 1958, the longest-running study of its kind, and 165 miles of trail let you walk straight through the dataset. Moose sightings are common. Loons own the coves. Backpack the Greenstone Ridge, paddle the inland lakes, or dive the cold-preserved shipwrecks, and plan on days, not hours. Isle Royale does not do day trips well, and that is its best quality.
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Top things to do in Isle Royale
Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around. Read the full guide.
Start here
11 Things to Do at Isle Royale National Park
Read the guide
01
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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
02
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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 miles
03
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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
04
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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 views. Mileage: About 5.7...
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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
02
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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 miles
03
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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
04
Backcountry Camping · nps.gov
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 views. Mileage: About 5.7...
Before you go
Get the Isle Royale heads-up
Permit windows, closures and seasonal alerts, plus our best Isle Royale guides, in your inbox before you go. Free, no spam.
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Plan your trip
Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Isle Royale.
Where to stay
Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.
- Houghton, MIGateway town
- Copper Harbor, MIGateway town
- Beaver Island Campground 3 sites
- Belle Isle Campground 7 sites
Maps & guides
Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass
What to bring
Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.
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Bear SprayRequired carry in grizzly country. Practice the quick-draw before you need it. View on REI
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Trail ShoesLightweight with good traction for maintained trails. View on REI
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Rain JacketMountain weather turns fast. Pack a shell even on clear mornings. View on REI
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Merino Hiking SocksPrevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable for miles. View on REI
Getting there
- CMX Houghton County Memorial 5 mi
- DLH Duluth International 220 mi
Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.
Isle Royale map
VC Visitor Center
CG Campground
Nearby Park
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When to go
Loading weather...
Month-by-Month Conditions
Tap any month for details
Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan
23°
11°
Low
Closed
Feb
25°
10°
Low
Closed
Mar
34°
17°
Low
Closed
Apr
44°
28°
Low
Open
May
55°
36°
Light
Open
Jun Best
63°
43°
Peak
Open
Jul Best
69°
50°
Peak
Open
Aug Best
71°
54°
Peak
Open
Sep Best
62°
47°
Heavy
Open
Oct
52°
38°
Low
Open
Nov
39°
28°
Low
Closed
Dec
28°
18°
Low
Closed
Best months to visit
Crowd level (low to peak)
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More Isle Royale guides
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Parks near Isle Royale
Within reach if you are building a longer trip.
Worth protecting
Isle Royale belongs to all of us
Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.
Stay in the Loop
Free dispatches on the parks and the policy fights around them, almost every day. Threats tracked, wins celebrated, no fluff.
Threatened Lands Map
Follow what's happening on federal lands across the country with our interactive map.
View the Tracker