Isle Royale National Park

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.

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

• Per Person: $7 per day
• Season Pass: $60 per season
• Purchase an annual pass for all national parks sites, $80

To find more about park fees, click here.

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.

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.

After the Run: Local Favorites

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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.

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