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Isle Royale National Park

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Overview

Surrounded by the pristine waters of Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is a rugged and isolated island that will take visitors far from the trappings of civilization. The island, which can only be reached by private watercraft, seaplane, or ferry, offers unparalleled solitude and a multitude of adventures. Amidst the stunning scenery of land and water, visitors will have the opportunity to relax at one of the parks campgrounds, venture out on the park's 165 miles of trail, or explore the scenic coastline and the archipelago's many coasts and bays.

To learn more about Isle Royale National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
  • Houghton Visitor Center: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday from June - mid-September. From Mid-September to May, open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed for fall and winter holidays.
  • Rock Harbor Visitor Center: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in July and August. May, June, and September reduced schedule; call (906) 482-0984 for current hours.
  • Windigo Visitor Center: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in July and August. May, June, and September reduced schedule; call (906) 482-0984 for current hours.

Visiting Tips

Isle Royale National Park is open every year from April 16 through October 31. The island is closed from November 1 through April 15 due to extreme winter weather conditions. Due its the remote location, the park is only accessible by private watercraft, seaplane, or ferry.

There are four passenger ferries and one seaplane that provide service to and from Isle Royale National Park. Reservations are strongly recommended especially during the peak season from late-July through mid-August. For more information about transportation options, fares, schedules, and bookings, visit the park's website.

Fees and Passes
To find more information about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Isle Royale has 36 campgrounds located around the island. Permits are required for all overnight stays in the park. All campsites are only accessible by foot or watercraft. Several campgrounds located on the Lake Superior shoreline have docks for power boats and sail boats. Inland campgrounds are only accessible by non-motorized boats such as canoes and kayaks, or by foot. All campgrounds offer tent sites, a water source, and outhouses. Some of the campgrounds located on the Lake Superior shoreline have shelters and picnic tables as well. Visitors must pack out all trash.

For more information about camping in the park and obtaining the necessary permits, visit the park's website.

Food & Drink

Due to the remote location of the island, visitors will need to bring all of their food and necessities with them. It is also advised to bring water or a purification system. Visitors have a variety of dining options in the communities of Houghton, Copper Harbor, and Grand Portage which are the departure points for the public ferries to the island.

Other Activities

A visit to Isle Royale is the perfect opportunity to explore a truly untouched wilderness. With the many trails that are open for exploration on foot and a thrilling coastline to be discovered by boat, Isle Royale showcases some of the best terrain in the United States. Visitors can choose from a wide variety of activities ranging from backpacking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, boating, and even scuba diving. Visit the park's website for more information on the many ways to explore the island.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free maps and brochures to help plan your trip, click here.

Gems in Isle Royale National Park - 2

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Scoville Point - Isle Royale National Park

Scoville Point

(9) Isle Ro…, MI
gem Favorite Rock Harbor Lighthouse from the water

Rock Harbor Lighthouse and Edisen Fishery

(8) Isle Ro…, MI

Recommended Routes in Isle Royale National Park - 5

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Sunrise over Rock Harbor.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Greenstone Ridge

40.2 mi 64.7 km 2,451' Up 747.19 m Up 2,454' Down 748.12 m Down

Isle Ro…, MI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Lake Superior from the Minong Ridge Trail
Difficult Difficult

Minong Ridge Traverse

29.2 mi 47.0 km 2,256' Up 687.69 m Up 2,265' Down 690.44 m Down

Isle Ro…, MI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Solomiyanskyi Park
Intermediate Intermediate

Stoll Memorial Trail

3.3 mi 5.3 km 55' Up 16.68 m Up 51' Down 15.55 m Down

Isle Ro…, MI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Lake Superior from the bluffs along the East Huginnin Cove Trail.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

East and West Huginnin Cove Trail

9.1 mi 14.6 km 563' Up 171.67 m Up 563' Down 171.62 m Down

Isle Ro…, MI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Golden Eye Ducks in Washington Harbor from the Washington Creek Trail.
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Windigo Nature Loop

1.3 mi 2.1 km 113' Up 34.36 m Up 117' Down 35.58 m Down

Isle Ro…, MI
Explore in 3D

Isle Royale National Park Running

  • 157 Miles 253 Kilometers of Trail
  • 5 Recommended Routes
  • 2 Gems Gems
  • 15 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 29 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 7 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

Weather Averages


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Trails in Isle Royale National Park - 46

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails

40.2 mi 64.7 km #1Greenstone Ridge Trail
Difficult Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Difficult Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
2.9 mi 4.6 km #2West Huginnin Cove Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
1.5 mi 2.5 km #3Mount Ojibway Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
7.6 mi 12.3 km #4Ishpeming Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate Intermediate
Isle Royale, MI
3.2 mi 5.2 km #5East Huginnin Cove Trail
Difficult Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Difficult Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
2.4 mi 3.8 km #6Lane Cove Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
10.7 mi 17.3 km #7Rock Harbor Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI 11 
10.3 mi 16.5 km #8Feldtmann Ridge Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
1.9 mi 3.1 km #9Mount Franklin Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Isle Royale, MI
3.1 mi 4.9 km #10Tobin Harbor Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Isle Royale, MI
Intermediate Intermediate
Isle Royale, MI

Photos of Isle Royale National Park - 71

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Lake Superior from the Minong Ridge Trail
Apr 22, 2015 near Isle Ro…, MI
Rock Harbor
May 21, 2015 near Isle Ro…, MI
Scoville Point - Isle Royale National Park
May 21, 2015 near Isle Ro…, MI
Golden Eye Ducks in Washington Harbor from the Washington Creek Trail.
Jul 14, 2016 near Isle Ro…, MI
Sunrise over Rock Harbor.
Jan 16, 2017 near Isle Ro…, MI
Rock Harbor Lighthouse is beautiful viewed from the water on the Ranger III ferry.
Jul 6, 2017 near Isle Ro…, MI
Chippewa Harbor Sunrise
Apr 2, 2020 near Isle Ro…, MI
Rock Harbor Lighthouse from the water
Apr 25, 2022 near Isle Ro…, MI

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