Hi everybody, I’m hoping to get some recommendations on itineraries or routes for two couples visiting Isle Royale this July. All of us have done extensive backpacking and quite a bit of kayaking. For 7 days, is it possible to mix kayak camping and backpacking? If so, what would that look like? If it isn’t possible, would people recommend kayaking over backpacking? Two of us are avid fly anglers, so camping at spots where we can fish at night would be a huge plus. We are going to be taking the float plane but haven’t determined which ports for arrival or departure

I appreciate all the info and help. Thanks in advance 🙏

Wanted to get a sanity check on a backpacking itinerary I put together for August 2025 with 5-6 people (couple beginners, rest of us have done a few small backpack trips together before). This is our first trip to the island and we want to see as much as we can.

Planning a 5 day, 4 night, ~43 mile hike down the Greenstone from Windigo to Rock Island. Seaplane in and out.

Activity | Begin Pt | Mid Pt | End Pt | Overview ---|---|----|----|----|---- Drive + Fly + Hike + Camp | Houghton | Hubell (seaplane), Windigo | Campsite 1 - Lake Desor S | Drive 20 mi to Hubbel. Fly to west side of Isle Royale, Windigo, (est 1 hour, time TBD, 8am or 10am), longest leg of the hike ,12mi, to first campsite, first night camping Hike + Camp | Lake Desor S | - | Campsite 2 - Hatchet Lake | Hike 8.1, camp Hike + Camp | Hatchet Lake | - | Campsite 3 - Chicken Bone W | Hike 7.9, camp Hike + Camp | Chicken Bone W | - | Campsite 4 - Daisy Farm | Hike 7.9, camp Hike + Fly + Drive | Daisy Farm | Rock Harbor, Hubbell | Home? BnB? | Hike 7 miles to Rock Harbor, eat at restaurant. Catch seaplane out, time TBD, 3pm or 5pm. After either Airbnb/hotel somewhere in UP or drive back home Buffer Day x2 | - | - | - |Hold for seaplane delay

Questions/Concerns

1)Is our trip in general a good way to experience the island? (We did want to traverse most the island and challenge ourselves a little on milage but trails like the Minong sounded a little too much for this group with a couple beginners). Any short comings or risks of the plan?

2)Seaplane: I still plan to contact the seaplane company and get it booked asap but I'm wondering if anyone has used them before with a group of 5 to 6 people?

3)Fishing on the inland lakes: One of our group is interested in fishing and I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck at Lake Desor, Hatchet, or Chicken bone? Tips?

4)Elevation gain: It look's like the Greenstone is relatively flat except from Windigo to Lake Desor S it goes up a few hundred ft. Will we be able to rip through our next few day's ~8 mile hikes easy or are there alot of ups/downs?

Any tips are much appreciated, thank you!

Came across this ferry map. Helpful if you're putting together a guide for yourself.

*Edit: Reddit for some reason won't let me post a screenshot OR a link to the article. Here's a Google Search Link:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Grand+Portage+Band+builds+new+Isle+Royale+ferry+terminal+and+cultural+exhibit&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1105US1105&oq=Grand+Portage+Band+builds+new+Isle+Royale+ferry+terminal+and+cultural+exhibit&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg8MgYIAhBFGDwyBggDEEUYPNIBCDE1NzVqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

i plan to visit with a couple of friends the second week of July. i don’t have confirmation of how many people want to come yet, so i am waiting to book the ferry. will the ferry from Copper Harbor be sold out a month or two from July?

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Planning a trip to isle royale in may and I would love to go swimming while there. However, I have seen advisories on some blogs about leeches, swimmer’s itch, and algae bloom. How much of a concern/how common are these things? Is there any place to swim safely or is it a no-go? Thanks!

I'm starting to plan a trip for the summer (first time) and I can't figure out if all the water taxis are reserved already, or if they website doesn't have them available yet. We've been hoping to get a head start with our canoe, so hopefully they just aren't bookable yet!

Looking for some help confirming this plan makes sense. Trying to park at Copper Harbor, ferry to Grand Portage and bike back to copper harbor via the “The Northwoods Route”

Copper Harbor to Rock Harbor - 8/28/25 First come first serve campsite in rock harbor - sleep 8/28/25 Rock harbor to Windigo to Grand Portage via Voyageur II Ferry - 8/29/25

Does this make sense or is there a better/faster way to get from copper harbor to grand portage that I’m missing. Is it possible to get from CH to GP in one day?

Thanks for any help y’all!

We're planning our first trip to Isle Royale and I'm interested in feedback/information about the Northeast area of the island for a canoe trip. We're experienced paddlers, having done multiple Apostle Islands and BWCA/Quetico trips. Generally looking at starting from Rock Harbor and working out way around the Duncan Bay, Lane Cove, Belle Island, Pickerel Cove areas and then maybe heading down McCargoe Cove (possibly doing water taxi back to Rock Harbor vs. trekking back). The Northeast area up there intrigues me because of the relatively sheltered waters and multiple islands and inlets, as it seems like it would be fun paddling and exploring. Can anyone share information, good or bad, about this proposed route/location for a first-time ISRO canoe trip? Will we still have opportunities to see moose up there? Particularly good campgrounds or spots to avoid? Would like to steer clear of boater hot spots so if this area is thick with them, that would also be good to know. Thanks for any tips or other suggestions. Would like to stay more on the shore vs. doing the inland lakes or Indian Portage Trail.

Hello!

I am hiking the island in early June and trying to plan out bringing a camera or not. I have always loved photography and have both film/digital cameras and I am contemplating how to carry/ incorporate bringing a camera on a multiday hike especially with balancing rain gear.

I’ve brought small film cameras on day hikes but never on a trip like this so it may not even be worth the hassle?

Looking for packing or gear recommendation from people who have brought cameras or film on their hikes or things they wish they had known before their packing cameras!

Also would love to see your photos from the island!

Me and a friend or 2 are planning a backpacking trip out to Isle Royale in late August. On our longest leg of the journey we are planning on hiking from Lane Cove to McCargoe Cove, and would like to do this along the lakeshore however there are no mapped trails for this. Is this still possible or would you recommend against? We are fairly new to backpacking.

I keep seeing things about using bear bags to hang bags and keep animals from getting into food. However, my dad went to the island a few times several years (10-20 yrs) ago and had a lot of problems with squirrels climbing down and chewing into the bags from the top. I’ve never seen anyone else complain about this when hanging bags are brought up though.

I know that during the day it’s better to just not leave food unattended at all, especially at the specific sites with added guidelines. But in the event that we can’t store food in a secure shelter, is it actually better to store food in the tent and avoid squirrels or still hang the food with that risk? (Or was my dad just doing something wrong since he seems to be the only person I have seen complaining about squirrels chewing into hanging bags?)

Hey everyone, my buddies and I are about to finalize our seaplane flight for Isle Royale this June. But before we do, I'm looking to get some feedback on our planned route. We are all fairly experienced but will have one beginner with us.

• Tuesday, June 24th: Arrive at Wendigo by seaplane (3:00pm)
• Tuesday, June 24th: Stay at Washington Creek for the night
• Wednesday, June 25th: Hike from Washington Creek to Desor N. (12.6 mi)
• Thursday, June 26th: Hike from Desor N. to Little Todd H./Todd Harbor (5.7/11.4 mi)
• Friday, June 27th: Hike from Little Todd H./Todd Harbor to McCargoe Cove (13.5/6.7 mi)
• Saturday, June 28th: Hike from McCargoe Cove to Moskey Basin (8.4 mi)
• Sunday, June 29th: Hike from Moskey Basin to Three Mile (8.3 mi)
• Monday, June 30th: Hike from Three Mile to Rock Harbor (2.7 mi)
• Monday, June 30th: Depart from Rock Harbor by seaplane (3:00pm)

I'd like some feedback as two of our days will be over 10 miles. I don't think the elevation change on this route will be too drastic, but I'm not completely sure. I am a bit more comfortable with planning for longer days since I know we will have much more daylight being that far north. Thanks!

I turn 50 in 2025 and want to do a "50 for 50" backpacking trip. I grew up in Michigan and Isle Royale has always been on my bucket list. I figure the 50 for 50 would be a great Isle Royale adventure.

I've read Jim DuFresne's Isle Royale book and have taken a lot of notes. I'm putting some routes together and it looks like it's going to be a lot of criss-crossing, which is probably unavoidable. But I'm curious if anyone has suggestions for a 50 mile loop.

For background, I'll be doing this trip with a buddy of mine. We're both experienced backpackers in great shape. He's 2 years older than me and he did a 50 for 50 trip at Dolly Sods, which is how I got this idea.

https://www.isleroyalewolf.org/getinvolved

When?

Moosewatch Team 1: May 10-18 west end via Voyageur

Moosewatch Team 2: May 21-29 west end via Voyageur

Moosewatch Team 3: June 3-11 east end via Ranger III

Moosewatch Team 4: August 1-9 east end via Ranger III

I'm trying to plan a solo trip to Isle Royale for this coming May. My plan is to take the ferry from Grand Portage to Windigo on Monday and hike from Windigo to North Desor, Tuesday hike N. Desor to Todd Harbor, and Wednesday hike Todd Harbor to Malone Bay. Pickup from Malone Bay on Thursday morning back to Grand Portage.

For those of you who have experience on IR is this a doable trip for a decently experienced hiker who has trained for the distance? The distances and elevations seem fine but I'd like to get some advice before I lock myself into an itinerary.

Curious of what others think. I’m solo backpacking isle royale for 5 days in August. I have an iPhone with satellite capability but am wondering if it’s worth also buying a garmin in reach (or similar gps communication device).

My family is planning a mid-May (Wednesday May 21 - Tuesday May 27) trip to Isle Royale. It's our first time visiting and for 4 of us, our first time doing any sort of multi-day backpacking (oldest son has done a 2 day backpacking trip twice but was a participant and didn't have to plan any of it). Right now the plan is to:

• Tue - arrive in Grand Portage
• Wed - Ferry to Rock Harbor and hike to the first campsite (still working on the exact itinerary)
• Thu through Mon - Hike the Greenstone Ridge Trail
• Tue - Ferry from Wendigo to Grand Portage

Does that look like a doable itinerary for a bunch of beginners, including a man in his early 50's and a woman in her late 40's (other three are kids in their early 20's)? As I said I've never backpacked before and while I'm in decent shape, I'm nervous about carrying a 30lb backpack on my back for 5+ days. Also, having never done the water filtration stuff and carrying all my own food/supplies for the whole trip.

Other questions:

• Input on the weather at that time. Should I take rain gear? Will a 20 degree bag be sufficient?
• I have a pair of Hoka Speedgoat 5 trail running shoes with only about 125 miles on them. I used them for about 40 miles of hiking (no backpack) across 5 days in Smoky Mountain NP back in 2022. Would those be sufficient for Isle Royale or should I get some hiking boots/shoes?
• Recommendations for food for a first time backpacker? I'm planning on keeping it simple and buying the pre-packaged food but am open to suggestions.
• Suggestions for water filtration systems. This is maybe the scariest part of it, having enough clean water.

I'm looking at booking the ferry rides soon as I'm afraid it will fill up.

Any feedback on that plan, tips and guidance, or reassurances that I'm not crazy for doing this?

Reservations for 2025 with ​​​​​​Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Lines are open!

If you want to be on the first boat of the season out of Grand Portage start planning!

Edit: First boat departs 5/10

Hello, planning a trip in June. Is the lodge already booked up? I go the website and everything says n/a for everything even into 2026. Is it because they are booked up or they are not accepting reservations?

You can now book your ferry out of Copper Harbor for the 2025 season: https://www.isleroyale.com/schedules.php

I just made my reservations which was the last thing I needed to do for my first visit to Isle Royale next August 😀

I am planning a trip as a memorial for my dad and want to get to his favorite spot, Lake Richie. I don't know if I can do the whole walk from Rock Harbor to Lake Richie, so I have been considering the water taxi service to cut of some of the mileage. I know it's less authentic of an experience, but due to some constraints, I am unsure of the full walk. Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences with the water taxis?

Im planning on a bucket -list adventure for early June 2025 with an adventerous river-rat friend of mine from nursing school. I built a CLC Sou'wester (19' sail and oar dory) a few years ago and have been eyeing a 150ish mile expedition to visit and explore Isle Royale NP for 2 weeks, with the overall objective to circumnavigate the archipelago. Launch from Grand Portage and make the crossing to Windigo, and see about a clockwise route from there.

To alay any fears of hypothermia and ill-prepared misadventure on open water - I have a nice drysuit, I have sail- camped with my wife on Penobscot Bay on the Maine Island Trail for a couple weeks, and around the Apostles and Lake Huron in another homebuilt canoe yawl in 2017. I have sailed my other boats in the TX 200 a few times, sailed around the Salish Sea (colder water) a couple times too in recent years. We're up for this.

Assuming typical weather (mostly East / West wind) would clockwise be more practical? Anybody have any input or advice? Is it worth taking fishing rods and getting a license? Thanks for any ideas and pointers. Ive been telling my sons im going on a lighthouse tour and will get some pictures (i think there are 4)

I’m a complete newb seeking tips, tricks, ideas, information I didn’t know I needed, where to get the best info, etc. for a planned trip to Isle Royale next summer. I have a camper cabin booked for 3 nights next August. Traveling with my husband and 7 year old. Like: literally tell me anything and everything I need.

Me and a few friends are planning a backpacking trip for next August. I’ve recently taken up scuba diving and plan to dive the wreck of the Kamloops once I get my technical diving certification, and the guys I’m going with have become fascinated with the wreck from what I’ve told them. I know the wreck is too deep to see from the surface, but I know there’s buoys just underwater marking the bow and stern of the Kamloops. Does anyone know how far off the shore the buoys are? The only straight answer given is by “Google AI” and they say it’s about 300 feet off the shore near Kamloops point. If it is near 300 feet of the shore is it even worth trying to kayak out to the buoys? The closest to isle royale I’ve ever been is Marquette and I remember the waves being 3 footers on a beautiful day, but it was also open water. PS this subreddit is awesome, ive never seen so many normal people in one place on this hellhole of an app 🤣

Hello! I will be planning my first trip with my dad who has been to Isle Royale a ton when he was younger and I’ve always wanted to go

I am trying to decide which routes I should be planning on or pursuing further any tips or suggestions? TIA

1: Chippewa Harbor Lake Richie Moskey basin Chicken bone Birch

2: Chippewa Harbor Moskey basin Lake Richie E chicken bone Daisy lake

Lookout Louise Mt Franklin’s Chicken bone Lake Richie Chippewa harbor

Chippewa harbor Moskey Richie W chicken McCargoe cove

We’re hoping to visit between June and early September. We plan to stay 2-3 days and do light hiking (4-5 miles every day,depending on the terrain.) Any thoughts?