National park · United States
Isle Royale National Park
Go only if you will sleep on the island: the park shuts entirely from November to mid-April, ferries run mid-May to early October, and a day trip gives you 3–4 hours ashore. Budget US$74 one-way on the Ranger III from Houghton plus the US$15 entrance fee.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,314 km² (893 sq mi)893 sq mi (2,314 km²)
approximate
Established
1931
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 2,314 km² (893 sq mi)893 sq mi (2,314 km²)
- About 530 km² of land plus surrounding waters and islands; the park boundary covers roughly 2,300 km² in total (check).
- Established
- 1931
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Isle Royale is a 74 km island in northwest Lake Superior, part of Michigan but closer to Ontario and Minnesota. There are no roads, no bikes and almost no buildings: 265 km² of boreal and hardwood forest, inland lakes, ridges and shoreline, reached only by ferry or floatplane. Wolves and moose have been studied here for decades as a closed predator-prey system. The park closes completely in winter, the only US national park to do so, and the average visitor stays 4–5 days.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1980International Biosphere Reserve.
- Special national site · 1976Designated Wilderness Area.
Size and age
2,314 km² (893 sq mi)893 sq mi (2,314 km²) · national park since 1931
About 530 km² of land plus surrounding waters and islands; the park boundary covers roughly 2,300 km² in total (check).
Why go
- A 165-mile trail network with no roads, no bikes and no traffic.
- Moose, foxes, loons and wolf tracks on a normal hiking day.
- Ridge-top views over Lake Superior from the Greenstone Ridge.
- Quiet: the park sees fewer visitors in a year than many parks see in a day.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanClosed; researchers only
- FebClosed
- MarClosed
- AprClosed until mid-April
- MayFerries start mid-May; cold nights, some services limited
- JunFull ferry schedule from early June; bugs building
- JulWarmest and least overcast; busiest and buggiest
- AugWarm days, cool nights; peak crowds and mosquitoes
- SepFewer people, stable weather, ferries still running
- OctVoyageur II runs into early October; freezing nights possible
- NovClosed for winter
- DecClosed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MooseMay–Oct · Best at dawn and dusk near water and in the inland lakes. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Red foxMay–Sep · Common around campgrounds; do not feed them. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Loons, eagles and ospreysMay–Sep · Nesting on the lakes and shoreline. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wolf tracks and scatMay–Oct · Sightings are rare; tracks are common on trails and ridges. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes, no-see-ums and biting fliesJun–Aug · Repellent and a head net are worth the weight. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Houghton, Michigan
Ranger III ferry to Rock Harbor, 5 h; or floatplane from Houghton County Memorial Airport, 35 min.
5 h by boat
From Copper Harbor, Michigan
Isle Royale Queen IV to Rock Harbor, 3–3.5 h; daily mid-July to mid-August, less often either side.
3–3.5 h
From Grand Portage, Minnesota
Sea Hunter (1.5 h) or Voyageur II (2–2.5 h) to Windigo; Voyageur II also circles the island.
1.5–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Upper Peninsula road trip
Pair the ferry with Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks and Tahquamenon Falls.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Harbor (Snug Harbor) | Northeast port: visitor centre, lodge, campground, store, showers, the ferry dock. | Open with ferry service; the busiest corner of the island. |
| Windigo | Southwest port: visitor centre, small store, campground, showers; start of the Feldtmann and Greenstone routes. | Open with ferry service. |
| Greenstone Ridge | The long ridge trail running most of the island's length, with the high points. | Open; backpacking only, no water on the crest. |
| Inland lakes and portages | Canoe and kayak country linked by portages from a few dozen feet to a few miles. | Open; paddle and carry. |
| Northwest shore | Exposed Lake Superior coast with few landing places. | Generally unsafe for paddlers; experienced boaters only. |
Sketch map
- 1Rock Harbor (Snug Harbor) · Headquarters≈48.146, -88.486Map ↗
- 2Windigo · Headquarters≈47.912, -89.157Map ↗
- 3Houghton Visitor Center · Town≈47.123, -88.564Map ↗
- 4Mount Desor · Viewpoint≈48.060, -88.860Map ↗
- 5Scoville Point · Viewpoint≈48.160, -88.470Map ↗
- 6Daisy Farm campground · Sleep≈48.100, -88.580Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the island runs roughly WSW to ENE, not west to east as the park map suggests.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance (per person) | US$15 | person | Valid for 7 days; pay at Rock Harbor or Windigo on arrival. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | person | Covers entrance for the pass holder; see the national park passes page. |
| Ranger III ferry, Houghton to Rock Harbor | US$74 | person | One-way adult; children under 12 about US$44 (check). |
| Isle Royale Queen IV, Copper Harbor to Rock Harbor | US$60–65 | person | One-way adult; off-peak cheaper; children under 11 half price (check). |
| Sea Hunter or Voyageur II, Grand Portage to Windigo | US$67–80 | person | One-way adult; US$80 for stops beyond Windigo (check). |
| Floatplane, Houghton to the island | US$210–310 | person | One-way about US$210, round trip about US$310 (check). |
| Water taxi Sandy, short hops | US$91–110 | boat | Example: one or two people to Daisy Farm; more for a full party (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Overnight camping permit or guide
Group camping (7+) permit or guide
Private boat from Canada permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$15
- US$80
- US$74
- US$60–65
- US$67–80
- US$210–310
- US$91–110
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Isle Royale fees and permits before you go.
Park rules
- Bikes and wheeled portage devices
- Not permitted anywhere in the park.
- Pets
- Not allowed on the island or on boats within park boundaries; service animals only with prior arrangements.
- Campfires
- Allowed only in designated fire rings at a few campgrounds; use a camp stove elsewhere.
- Camping
- Free permit required; camp only at established sites; no camping within sight of a trail or shoreline.
- Leave no trace
- Pack out all rubbish, including food scraps; bury human waste as directed by rangers.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Rock Harbor Lodge
The only hotel-style rooms in the park, at Snug Harbor; book well ahead for July and August.
In the park
Rock Harbor and Windigo campgrounds
Campgrounds at both ports; the only sites with running water, showers and flush toilets nearby.
In the park
Backcountry campsites
Shelters and tent sites along the trails; first come, first served, no reservations.
Near the park
Houghton and Copper Harbor
Mainland motels and campgrounds the night before an early ferry.
Safety
Cold water and rough crossings high
Weather changes medium
Remote trails and no roads high
Drinking water medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park does not meet modern accessibility expectations: rough trails, steep terrain and no roads.
- Getting on and off the ferries is difficult for wheelchair users; lakeshore canoeing and boat sightseeing are the practical options.
- At Windigo even the store and information office sit up a short steep hill.
Visiting lightly
- Follow leave-no-trace rules: pack out everything, camp only at established sites.
- Do not feed foxes or any wildlife; food-conditioned animals become a problem for everyone.
- Keep distance from moose, especially cows with calves.
- Buy stove fuel on the island if you fly in; it cannot be carried by air.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Isle Royale National Park?
The entrance fee is US$15 per person, valid for 7 days, paid at Rock Harbor or Windigo when you arrive. The America the Beautiful annual pass at US$80 covers entrance for the holder. The bigger cost is the ferry: about US$60–80 one-way per adult depending on the route, or about US$210 one-way by floatplane.
What are the best hikes in Isle Royale National Park?
For a short visit, the Stoll Trail to Scoville Point from Rock Harbor takes 3–4 hours and needs no overnight gear. For a first backpack, Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm is about 7 miles along the shore. The classic route is the Greenstone Ridge, roughly 40 miles from Windigo to Rock Harbor over 4–6 days, with no water on the crest. The Feldtmann Loop on the west end is a gentler 3–4 day alternative.
When is the best time to visit Isle Royale National Park?
July to early September has the warmest weather, the full ferry schedule and the fewest overcast days, but also the most people and the worst mosquitoes. June and September are quieter and still well served by ferries, with colder nights. The park closes completely from November to mid-April, and ferry service is limited before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.
Can I visit Isle Royale as a day trip?
Yes, on some ferries. The Queen IV and the Minnesota boats sell day-trip fares that give you about 3–4 hours on the island, enough for the Stoll Trail or a short walk from Windigo. You will not reach the backcountry, and the round trip is a long day on the water.
Do I need a permit to camp on Isle Royale?
Yes. Overnight camping needs a free permit from a ranger at Rock Harbor or Windigo before you set out. Individual sites are first come, first served, so you cannot reserve a specific campground. Groups of seven or more need an advance reservation.
Are there roads or bikes on the island?
No. There are no roads, and mountain bikes and wheeled portage devices are not permitted. You get around on foot, by canoe or kayak, by private boat, or on the Voyageur II ferry and the Sandy water taxi for point-to-point hops.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNPS — Isle Royale National Park
- officialNPS — Isle Royale fees and permits
- officialNPS — Isle Royale maps
- officialNPS — Houghton Visitor Center
- officialNPS — Rock Harbor Visitor Center
- officialNPS — Windigo Visitor Center
- secondaryWikipedia — Isle Royale National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Isle Royale National Park, revision 5241705 (CC BY-SA 4.0)