As overcrowded as our national parks have been the past couple of years, we've steered clear of them. Our idea of a vacation isn't negotiating our way through a mob of tourists. Then we read about Isle Royale National Park in neighboring Michigan, located at its northernmost point and surrounded by Lake Superior.
This is not a park for the non adventurous or those who live for room service. You must book your transportation and accommodations up to a year in advance, and carry your own food in if you're going to be venturing into the backcountry - where your only neighbors are likely to be moose and wolves.
The only way to get to the island is via ferry/boat or seaplane. Just getting to the island is an adventure in itself.
Be prepared for no cell phone service or WiFi, no roads, no cars or similar vehicles, no commercial buildings. It's just you and pristine wilderness it's difficult to find anywhere else in America.
Lake Superior freezes over in the winter so the park is only open from mid-April to the end of October each year. The best time to visit is July and August to avoid swarms of black flies and mosquitos and when the weather is relatively stable. The ferries are also running more frequently during those months.
This is a trip you need to plan well in advance in order to get the reservations you'll need, get your fees and any necessary permits paid, etc. You also want to familiarize yourself with the park trails and terrain you'll be visiting. Because the island is so remote medical attention is not immediately available should you get injured on the trails.
There is a $7 per day fee per person to visit the park. If you're going to stay more than 8 days, you're probably best off buying a $60 Federal Lands Pass.
The $7 daily fee applies to the day you arrive and the day you leave, as well as each day spent on the island.
Children 15 and under are exempt from daily entrance fees.
Isle Royale National Park no longer accepts cash for park entrance fees. Only credit card transactions will be accepted. Rock Harbor Lodge and its stores in Rock Harbor and Windigo accept both cash and credit card payments.
Pay entrance fees online before coming to Isle Royale National Park to avoid wait times on-island.
If not paid in advance, entrance fees can be processed at the Rock Harbor, Windigo or Houghton visitor centers. Fee paymanets can only be made during the following fee collection hours.
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Rock Harbor fee hours: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET
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Windigo fee hours: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET
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Houghton fee hours: hours vary depending on season.
See NPS fee and permit information here.
Arriving By Ferry
There are three main passenger ferry services operated by the National Park Service and private operators, each with different routes and schedules.
Ranger III
Isle Royal Queen IV
Voyageur II
1. Ranger III (National Park Service)
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Route: Houghton, MI ↔ Rock Harbor, MI
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Duration: ~6 hours each way
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Schedule: Departs Houghton Tuesdays & Fridays; returns from Rock Harbor Wednesdays & Saturdays
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Capacity: Up to 128 passengers per voyage
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Extras: Breakfast & lunch on board; games available; canoes/kayaks for a fee.
2. Isle Royale Queen IV (Isle Royale Line)
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Route: Copper Harbor, MI ↔ Rock Harbor, MI
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Duration: ~3.5 hours each way
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Schedule: Daily service from May through early September (sailing days vary by month)
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Fare: Adults $175 one‑way; children $125; canoes/kayaks $60 each Isle Royale Line
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Extras: Same‑day round trip; later departure from the island than Ranger III
3. Voyageur II (Isle Royale Line)
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Route: Grand Portage, MN ↔ Windigo, MI (via Rock Harbor, McCargoe Cove, Belle Isle, Daisy Farm, Chippewa Harbor, Malone Bay)
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Duration: ~1.5 hours each way
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Schedule: May 9–Sep 24, 2026; outbound trips Wed/Sat (early season) or Mon/Wed/Sat (mid‑season); inbound trips Thu/Sun (early season) or Tue/Thu/Sun (mid‑season)
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Extras: Multiple island stops; canoes/kayaks for a fee; requires return reservation at same time as outbound
4. Sea Hunter III (Isle Royale Line)
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Route: Grand Portage, MN ↔ Windigo, MI
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Duration: ~1.5 hours each way
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Schedule: June 10–Sep 5, 2026; daily service Isle Royale Boats
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Extras: Day trip or camping rates; canoes/kayaks for a fee
Sea Hunter III
Although it was a much longer trip, we took the Ranger III out of Houghton because the Houton Visitor Center provided RV parking (free) with advance notice.
We'd also brought our own double kayak and the Ranger III would transport it for $80 one way.
By comparison, renting a kayak or canoe from the Marina would cost you $77 per day for a one person kayak.
However, there are a few hoops you have to jump through to transport your own kayak:
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Maximum boat length: 20 ft.
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Kayaks over 18 ft. or 80 lbs cost more to transport and are loaded on the upper deck, exposed to weather.
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$60 per canoe/kayak; $80 for double kayaks
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A passenger must accompany the kayak during transport. You must know the exact length of your kayak based on your state registration. Bring your registration along as you'll be asked to show it. Ensure your kayak is properly numbered and has a current registration; without these, it will not be transported and you will not get a refund.
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Only allowed items inside the kayak: paddles, PFDs, safety equipment (pumps/bailers), and fishing poles.
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Backpacks, coolers, and other luggage must be loaded separately on a cart home.nps.gov.
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All equipment stored in the kayak must be securely fastened to the vessel.
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Drain all water from live wells and bilges (if applicable) to prevent aquatic invasive species spread.
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Internal/external fuel tanks can be full; two other containers (≤23L/6 gallons each) are allowed, must be closed, in good condition, and approved by ABYC or USCG home.nps.gov.
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Propane: up to 20 lbs per kayak, in approved DOT/UL containers; cylinders will be tagged and stored securely.
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Drop your kayak at the roped-off section at the end of the Ranger III when staff directs you.
Arriving By Seaplane
If you're short on time you might want to consider flying in on a seaplane, although this is not an inexpensive option!
Arriving at Isle Royale National Park by seaplane is the most direct and scenic way to reach the island, offering a bird’s‑eye view of the park’s wilderness and remote beauty.
The only concessionaire for seaplane service to Isle Royale is Isle Royale Seaplanes, based in Hubbell, Michigan on the Keweenaw Waterway National Park Service. Their office and dock are in Hubbell, about 200 miles north of Green Bay, WI.
Seaplanes land at Windigo or Rock Harbor on the island.
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Windigo is the main visitor center and campground hub.
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Rock Harbor is a smaller landing site, often used for backpackers and day‑trippers.
The operating season is typically mid‑May to mid‑September, with schedules varying each year Day trips and overnight visits are available. Flights are seasonal due to Lake Superior’s harsh weather. Also be aware Lake Superior can whip up some wicked bad storms, grounding your plane anywhere from hours to days.
Fares (2026 example) Isle Royale Seaplanes
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One‑way Hubbell → Windigo or Rock Harbor: $289/person
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One‑way Hubbell → Windigo only: $420 (Jun 6–Sep 6)
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One‑way Hubbell → Rock Harbor only: $420 (Jun 6–Sep 12)
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Roundtrip: $420/person
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Three‑way (drop‑off at one end, pick‑up at the other): $420/person
Fares include all taxes and fees.
From Hubbell, the seaplane flight to either Windigo or Rock Harbor takes about 40 minutes.
Book flights in advance, especially in peak season.
For schedules, fares, and reservations, visit the Isle Royale Seaplanes website or the NPS Isle Royale Seaplanes page. Links above.
Rock Harbor Lodge Water Taxi Service
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Rock Harbor Lodge’s Water Taxi is a seasonal transportation option for guests exploring Isle Royale National Park’s backcountry. It’s designed for quick trips between Rock Harbor and various island docks, and can also carry canoes or kayaks.
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Season: May 22, 2026 – September 11, 2026 www.rockharborlodge.com
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Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
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Reservations: Recommended; subject to weather and lake conditions.
Capacity & Canoe Transport
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Up to 6 guests with backpacks only per trip.
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Or 4 guests with two canoes per trip.
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Canoe/kayak rates are the same as the one-guest rate
Destinations & One-Way Rates
Rates vary by distance and number of passengers. Examples:
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1–5 miles: Caribou Island ($105), Tookers Island ($48), Three Mile Dock ($67), Mott Island ($86), Hidden Lake Dock ($86)
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6–10 miles: Rock Harbor Lighthouse ($154), Daisy Farm Dock ($154), Duncan Narrow ($162), Passage Island ($181), Moskey Basin Trips ($226)
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11–15 miles: Chippewa Harbor ($268), Belle Island Dock ($257)
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16–20 miles: Birch Island ($401)
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21–25 miles: McCargo Cove ($469), Malone Bay ($458)
Tip: Book early, especially in peak season, and check weather before traveling. For full details and to reserve, visit the Rock Harbor Lodge Water Taxi page
Rock Harbor Dockside Store
The Dockside Store is located on the main dock in Rock Harbor. It offers a standard selection of groceries, freeze dried camping meals, fishing tackle, camping and hiking accessories, camping fuel, photo supplies, boating accessories, bagged ice, apparel, books, souvenirs, toiletries and sundries.
Guests can also purchase tokens for the shower, as well as rent towels (for the shower). Fuel is also available such as isobutane mixed fuel and white gas.
Open Daily
May 23 – June 5, 2025 - 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
June 6 – September 12, 2025 - 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Rock Harbor Lodge is across the harbor from the Dockside Store so you'll have to transport your purchases over the water and across the harbor. The easiest way to do this (and get around in general) is via kayak or canoe. We'd just load our purchases into the kayak and paddle it across the harbor to the Lodge.
Tip: A cooler on wheels comes in real handy!
Rock Harbor Lodge & Marina
Which accommodations you choose will depend largely on what you plan on doing while on Isle Royale.
Rock Harbor Lodge is the ONLY full service accommodation on Isle Royale but you'll still have some choices to make regardless.
You can book a Lodge room, a housekeeping cottage or one of two primitive Windigo cabins. There are pros and cons to each...but first know these accommodations are nothing fancy at all. In fact, I imagine they look pretty much the same as they did in the 1920's and they're drastically overpriced. But when you have an accommodations monopoly...
Regardless, our accommodations were comfortable and quite adequate and you can't beat the views!
Lodge Rooms
There are 60 lodge rooms on 2 floors. The Lakeside Lodge Rooms feature a private bathroom and bedding configurations of either two double beds, or one king bed. These rooms offer a spectacular view of Lake Superior.
Room Amenities
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Alarm Clock
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Coffee Maker
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Private Bathroom
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Table & Chairs
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Views Of Lake Superior
The pros of the Lodge rooms are that you're right there in the mix of everything - restaurant, etc. so you won't have to walk through the woods to get what you want from the Lodge.
The con is you have no cooking facilities whatsoever, not even a microwave.
Lodge rooms start at $435/night.
Housekeeping Cottages
Room Amenities
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Coffee Maker
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Daily Housekeeping Not Provided
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Heat
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Kitchen Table
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Kitchenette
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Linens & Towels
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Microwave
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Mini-Refrigerator
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Private Bathroom
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Stove Top
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Utensils
There are 20 housekeeping cottages, each of them a duplex.
They sit on a hill overlooking the lake.
The pros are you at least have a kitchenette if you don't want to eat the same restaurant food every night.
While very rustic and in need of updating, they're comfortable
(including the beds) and adequate.
The view out the front window is spectacular, especially when you wake up to see a moose grazing right in front of your window. The cottages are more secluded and private than the main lodge.
The cons are you have about a 1/8 mile hike through the woods to get to the main lodge and you may have neighbors staying right next door to you.
Prices for the cottages start at $504/night.
We wanted something more secluded and with some kitchen facilities so booked a cottage.
Tip: If you're going to book a cottage, try to book #207 - #212. They're at the end of the path so you won't have people constantly walking past your living room picture window and they have the best views.
The Windigo Cabins
There are 2 Windigo cabins. The Windigo Camper Cabins at Rock Harbor Lodge do not have indoor plumbing. Each cabin is a one‑room unit with bunk beds, a fold‑out futon, electricity, and a covered porch, but they are boat‑in and do not have flush toilets or indoor showers.
Access to flush toilets, coin‑operated showers, and laundry facilities are located downhill from the cabins and there is a nearby outhouse.
Because of the lack of indoor plumbing, guests should bring all necessary toiletries and arrange for waste disposal in advance. The limited camp store in the Windigo area stocks basic supplies, but most necessities should be brought from the mainland.
The cabins include:
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A full‑sized propane grill and picnic table
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A covered porch with Adirondack chairs
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Screened windows and doors for ventilation
Since the Windigo Camper Cabins are a camper-style unit, they are likely in the same price range as the housekeeping cabins, but exact rates can vary by season and availability. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, you should call the lodge directly at (877) 841‑1064.
Backcountry Camping
Isle Royale National Park offers 36 primitive backcountry campgrounds scattered across its rugged shoreline, rocky shores, and spruce–fir forests. All sites are first-come, first-served for groups of six or fewer, with no reservations or fees for individual campsites. Groups of seven or more must make reservations and pay an extra fee.
Each Isle Royale campground has a handful of individual tent sites. Those that are located by Lake Superior also have shelters (basically enclosed lean-tos) that you can use instead of pitching your tent! Each site also has one or two outhouses (that are often not supplied with toilet paper- so bring your own!), and each is located next to some sort of water source that can be filtered or purified for drinking and cooking.
The lean to shelters are in high demand during peak season so don't count on getting one and bring a tent!
There are no furnishings in the lean to's.
Most of your arrival day will be spent getting to Isle Royal Park, checking into your accommodation or setting up camp, etc.
If you're staying at Rock Harbor Lodge, the staff will schlupp all of your luggage to your room or cottage for you so you won't have to schlupp any heavy stuff around.
When you arrive on the island a Ranger will give you an orientation talk about rules, regulations, safety, wildlife, etc. while in the park.
Most of the hiking trails around the Lodge are short trails. If you want to take a short hike to stretch your legs, take the short Stoll Trail loop (2 miles) for lake views and a gentle warm-up hike.
Stoll Trail Loop