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?

I can't get their website to work for some reason. How much are the housekeeping cabins (for families) a night? Just a ball park would be great. Like I said their website is being funky

Just wondering how people have fared with this. Debating the value (in weight and dollars) of getting a license for fishing superior and bringing a rod and tackle along. Would love to hear personal experiences and fish tales.

I did not realize I had to book so early! Looking to spend one night or two the second week of June and it is booked!!! Any insight on how likely a cancellation is or other tips or ideas? Im checking daily for the last two weeks with seemingly no movement. This is part of a heavily planned 30 day National Park road trip. Do I just give up and find something else?

Next September, my partner and I will be taking a boat to Isle Royale for 7-8 days and we’re very very excited!!

However I’ve been told a lot of mixed things about the island and the best things to do. We originally planned it as a backpacking only trip, but after so many people saying so, we’re debating doing solo canoes for most of the trip or half the trip. The only thing holding us up is lack of practice kayaking or canoeing in any waters. We’re willing to practice all next year up until the trip.

What would you recommend for a first time visit? Is it a bad choice to only hike? We also fish and want to know how the fishing is there in September.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

9/24/2024

Northern Lights from Tobin Harbor seaplane dock

Finished my first backpacking trip last week! I've been lurking for awhile getting ready for the trip.

The Isle was beautiful, but this community and those that I met has me hooked! Cheers to y'all!

Hey, I'm going to Isle Royale late summer 2025. I'm an experience backpacker in the mountsins (sections of the PCT and AT, multiple hikes across Yosemite, died the whole Teton Crest, etc.). I've canoed and portaged and camped in the UP, but never backpacking. I'm also familiar with trails like the Ozark Trail that is pretty knotty/uneven/poorly maintained, so I'm used to tricky footing.

I am hoping to cross the whole island, but I read a lot about how ppl underestimate the island. I am planning between 8 and 12 miles daily for anywhere from 4-6 nights. I think I'd like to stick to the Minong Ridge. What do y'all think? For someone at my experience level, am I being overambitious? I welcome any feedback/advice.

I am planning my first solo backpacking trip on the island for August 2025. I’m thinking 4 or 5 days, starting in Windigo. My family is staying at the Rock Harbor Lodge and I’m going ahead of time to backpack the island and meet them at the end of my hike. I’d love to hear what routes others would recommend/ hear any advice that might be helpful. Thanks in advance :)

Sunset at Blake Point at Isle Royale National Park.

From the dock at Duncan Bay Narrows 9/18/2024

My wife and I are planning a few day trip to Isle Royale. We plan on staying at one of the lodges, Windigo or Rock Harbor. We are experienced hikers so looking for reccomendations on where to stay so we can enjoy the most hiking options from our lodging. Say we stay at Rock Harbor is transport to a different part of the island for hiking a thing? I know most people plan a multiple day hiking/camping trip but we are not campers so prefer the lodging at night. Just want to plan out the best few days while we are there!

Thank you all

Island Folk The People of Isle Royale

This is a very good book about the people that lived on the island years ago. It gave me a different perspective from the wild island I visited a few years ago. Interesting first person stories of old fishermen and women, their lives and struggles there. Written in the 79, they recall stories from their grandparents, 1800s. Hardly a trace of them left, except for their stories in this book. Highly recommended.

Shot last night from the dock at Duncan Bay Narrows dock. One hour hyperlapse

Hi all! My friend and I are planning a trip for next summer—mid July and staying 7 days (6 nights). We will start in Rock Harbor and finish in Windigo. We both grew up outdoors, have backpacking experience, and are physically fit.

We are taking the earliest seaplane out of MI the day we arrive and an 11 AM seaplane the day we leave. (Already booked). I know the weather makes travel subject to delay, so I tried to make the itineraries scaleable in case! We must purchase fuel upon arrival since we are flying and get a permit, etc., before we can hit the trail, so I know we will be a bit delayed getting started on Day 1.

When deciding on an itinerary, I do not want to underestimate the trails, as they are wilderness areas. We have been to Western National Parks and put on the same mileage with double the elevation gain. I don’t want to be naive, but I don’t see how the island could be more difficult than the mountains, as some have said. We live in Northern Wisconsin now, so I’m not expecting a huge change in scenery from my day-to-day.

Most of my weather/delay plans involve removing one of the farther campgrounds (like Mccargoe, Todd Harbor, or Siskiwit) and trying to pick up mileage elsewhere. Skipping one or some of these campgrounds also helps us maintain pace if we realize the island is kicking our butts!

Here are the 3 options. What are your thoughts? Which of these campgrounds is your favorite? Which are the best fishing spots? Any other tips or tricks?

#1 Day #1: Rock Harbor to Moskey Basin

Day 2: Moskey Basin to Hatchet Lake

Day 3: Hatchet Lake to Island Mine

Day 4: Island Mine to Siskiwit Bay

Day 5: Siskiwit Bay to Washington Creek

Day 6: Zero Day - or Huginnin Cove

Day 7: Fly Back

#2: Day 1: Rock Harbor to Moskey Basin

Day 2: Moskey Basin to Mccargoe Cove

Day 3: Mccargoe Cove to Hatchet Lake

Day 4: Hatchet Lake to S. Lake Desor

Day 5: S. Lake Desor to Island Mine

Day 6: Island Mine to Washington Creek

Day 7: Fly back

#3 Day 1: Rock Harbor to Moskey Basin

2: Moskey Basin to Mccargoe Cove

3: Mccargoe Cove to Todd Harbor

4: Todd Harbor to S. Lake Desor

5: S. Lake Desor to Island Mine

6: Island Mine to Washington Creek

7: Fly back

Hi, I put together a plan for a group of 4 MN residents to hike across IR. Plan would be to ride the ferry all the way around to Rock Harbor, then hike across the island and take the return ferry in Windigo. I included hike distances and a couple thoughts for decisions to be made. Any feedback is appreciated!

Day 1 - Ferry to IR, Hike 7.1 to Daisy Farm (most popular campground, many shelters and campsites)

Day 2- Hike 6.1 or 7.9 miles to either Chickenbone East or West (west is bigger, but a longer hike)

Day 3- Hike 8.7 or 9.3 miles to Todd Harbor

Day 4- Hike 7.0 miles to Little Todd Harbor

Day 5-Hike 5.7 miles to Desor north

Day 6-Hike 12.6 miles to Washington Creek

Day 7-Ferry Home from Windigo

8/31/2024 Another incredible northern lights show here on Isle Royale.

The Ranger didn’t go out Friday due to weather. That made Saturday a rare ‘out and back’ for the boat. Ranger 3 would be coming back to town at dusk or night.

I was hoping to get a beautiful shot with the ship lights and bridge lights on. And possibly a bit of color in the clouds. What this photo doesn’t convey is, it was absolutely dumping rain super windy. Lucky to have a friend hold an umbrella for me.

Going to be there 20th thru 27th backpacking. Curious what campgrounds allow campfires and which ones have communal rings. Would appreciate any feedback:)

Shot from the dock at West Caribou island