Isle Royale National Park was authorized by Congress in 1931 "to conserve a prime example of North Woods Wilderness." The park was designated part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1976, under the Wilderness Act, and remains today as an example of primitive America. In fact, over 98% of the land in Isle Royale is designated wilderness. Further honors were bestowed in 1981, when Isle Royale was designated a United States Biosphere Reserve, giving it global scientific and educational significance.
Wilderness is managed for preservation and solitude. We need such natural places for study, measuring the forces of natural change and dynamics, and as a place to renew the human spirit. Isle Royale has established rules and regulations governing group size, fires, sanitation, and basic conduct to help protect its varied resources as well as the quality of experience for users. Help preserve wilderness by following these guidelines.
Isle Royale may seem rugged, but it is also fragile. To help preserve it, follow low-impact camping practices wherever you go. By learning and using leave-no-trace principles, your impact on the wilderness and other peoples experiences will be reduced. Using equipment of subtle natural tones instead of bright colors and hanging clothing and gear out of sight of others will lessen your visual impact. To help minimize erosion, walk in the middle of trails and do not shortcut switchbacks. To prevent campsite erosion, do not dig trenches or otherwise disturb the soil. Backpacking stoves are lightweight, dependable, efficient, and have less impact on the environment than campfires.
Among Isle Royale's important backcountry values are its natural sights and sounds. You can enhance your own and other's solitude by keeping quiet in campgrounds and on docks and trails, traveling in small parties, and avoiding unnecessary noise like sing-alongs or the use of radios and tape decks. Refrain from group games like Frisbee and tag, which often lead to shouting and extra noise. Enjoy the natural sights and sounds of the island around you. One of Isle Royale's greatest gifts is the healing meditative solitude available there.
Lightning-caused forest fires are a natural and historic part of the Isle Royale environment. Some plant and animal species require fire to survive, such as jack pine. Some, such as moose, actually thrive in recently burned areas. Therefore, the park's policy is to closely monitor natural fires if certain qualifying conditions are met. Fire is a powerful force. Help protect the island from human-caused fires by being careful with cigarettes, campfires, and camp stoves.
Beware of open mine pits at Island Mine, Todd Harbor, Siskowit Mine, Daisy Farm, Minong Mine, and other areas throughout the park. Be prepared for rapid and dramatic changes in weather. Know signs and symptoms of hypothermia and heat-related emergencies. It is often hot and dry on the ridges, even when it is cool down by Lake Superior. Carry plenty of drinking water and drink it! Watch your footing on wet and slippery trails, rock surfaces, and roots. There are 88 three-sided sleeping shelters on Isle Royale. They provide a convenient source of shelter, especially during bad weather, and the front of each shelter is screened to provide relief from the biting insects. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to do your part in keeping these shelters in good condition. Vandalism such as carving and writing on the walls and ceilings is illegal. To prevent damage to the screens and the doors, be careful with your camping gear, and close doors softly. Sweep them out with the brooms provided before you depart, so they will be clean for the next user.
Three types of camping are available at Isle Royale: three-sided shelters (maximum 6 people), tent sites (maximum 6 people) for one to three tents, and group sites (for parties of 7 to 10 people). Long-term campground stays are not permitted. To ease overcrowding, campgrounds have varying limits on consecutive night stays. Refer to the table below for specific limits. Come prepared to be mobile, self-sufficient, and flexible.
Go to text version of tables below.
| Heading Abbreviations for table below |
Special Information Abbreviations for table below |
|---|---|
| Nights = consecutive nights stay allowed Sites = individual tent sites available Shelters = shelters available Group sites = group campsites available |
CR = Fires in community ring only S = Self-contained stoves only T = Trail access W = Treated water supply B = Boat access C = Canoe or Kayak access F = Campfires allowed or grills provided A = No alcohol |
| Campground | Nights | Sites | Shelters | Group Sites | Special Information | Depth at Dock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Island | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | B-C-S | 2'-5' |
| Belle Isle | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | B-C-P | 13' |
| Birch Island | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | B-C-S | 5' |
| Caribou Island | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | B-C-CR | 10' |
| Chickenbone E | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | T-S-C | - |
| Chickenbone W | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | C-S-T | - |
| Chippewa Harbor | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | B-C-F-T | 7' |
| Daisy Farm | 3 | 6 | 16 | 3 | B-C-S-T | 9' |
| Desor North | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | S-T | - |
| Campground | Nights | Sites | Shelters | Group Sites | Special Information | Depth at Dock |
| Desor South | 2 | 7 | 0 | 3 | S-T | - |
| Duncan Bay | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | B-C-F | 6' |
| Duncan Narrows | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | B-C-F | 6' |
| Feldtmann Lake | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | S-C-T | - |
| Grace Island | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | B-C-S | 3'-4' |
| Hatchet Lake | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | S-T | - |
| Hay Bay | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | B-C-S | 5'-7' |
| Huginnin Cove | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | C-S-T | - |
| Intermediate Lake | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | C-S | - |
| Campground | Nights | Sites | Shelters | Group Sites | Special Information | Depth at Dock |
| Island Mine | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | F-T | - |
| Lake Richie | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | C-S-T | - |
| Lake Richie Canoe | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | C-S | - |
| Lake Whittlesey | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | C-S | - |
| Lane Cove | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | C-S-T | - |
| Little Todd | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | F-T-C | - |
| Malone Bay | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | B-C-F-T | 6'-7' |
| McCargoe Cove | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | B-C-CR-T-A | 7' |
| Merritt Lane | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | B-C-S | 8' |
| Campground | Nights | Sites | Shelters | Group Sites | Special Information | Depth at Dock |
| Moskey Basin | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | B-C-S-T | 8' |
| Pickerel Cove | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | C-S | - |
| Rock Harbor | 1 | 11 | 9 | 3 | B-C-T-W-S | 5'-10' |
| Siskiwit Bay | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | B-T-CR-F-A | 5'-7' |
| Three Mile | 1 | 4 | 8 | 3 | B-C-S-T | 9' |
| Todd Harbor | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | B-T-CR | 4' |
| Tookers Island | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | B-C-S | 7' |
| Washington Creek | 3 | 5 | 10 | 4 | C-S-T-W | - |
| Wood Lake | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | C-S | - |
Go to Group Camping information.
Use pit toilets provided at campgrounds to dispose of human waste. If not available: select a spot at least 100 feet from trails, streams, lakes, or dry stream beds and dig a hole six inches deep. Cover the hole tightly with duff after use. Carry out sanitary napkins and tampons.
Trash is a continual problem in the park. The rule is simple; CARRY OUT WHATEVER YOU CARRY IN! There are no trash cans in the backcountry. Do not bury, burn, or scatter trash and do not put it into pit toilets. As you hike, help maintain a pristine backcountry by picking up litter dropped by other visitors. Please try to bring your trash back to the mainland for disposal, since trash removal on the island is costly.
Quiet hours at all campgrounds and docks are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. EDT. This will insure that all campers can have a restful experience, enjoying the natural sounds of the wilderness.
Keep wildlife wild. Feeding wildlife upsets the natural food chain and makes animals dependent on humans. It also causes them to lose their fear of humans and approach more and more closely. Finally, an animal such as a fox, otter, or squirrel may bite a human and have to be destroyed, all because someone started the vicious cycle by feeding them. It has happened here before. Respect the needs of birds and other animals for undisturbed territory. Feeding, touching, teasing, trapping, molesting, or intentional disturbance of any wildlife or of their homes, nests, or activities is prohibited and detracts from the wilderness character of Isle Royale. Fishing requires knowledge of the Isle Royale fishing regulations.
Expect mosquitoes, black flies, gnats, and other insects to peak in June or July. They are part of your Isle Royale experience. Bring plenty of insect repellent and netting or other skin barriers. Think in terms of being able to cover all exposed skin on your body from biting insects. Insects can bite through thin clothing. Make sure your tent has mosquito netting and that it has no holes. Bring materials to repair damaged mosquito netting.
Dogs, cats, and other pets are not allowed within the park boundaries, including pets on boats. Visitors bringing pets to Isle Royale will be required to leave immediately. Pets can disturb wildlife and be a source of disease (such as canine parvovirus), particularly for park wolves.
Firearms, fireworks, or any implements designed to discharge missiles in the air or water are prohibited.
Wheeled vehicles (except for wheelchairs) or other mechanical forms of transportation are not allowed on trails. This includes bicycles and canoe portage devices.
All campers and boaters are required to obtain a camping permit on the Ranger III vessel or at Rock Harbor or Windigo upon arrival. When leaving the park, return the permit, with itinerary corrections noted.
Campsites cannot be reserved, except for group campsites by groups of seven to ten. Shelters cannot be reserved. Individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of tent or shelter sites are limited. Be prepared to travel to an alternate campground in case the one where you plan to stay is full. At peak times, double up with another party using available tent pads, rather than camping outside established sites and causing campground sprawl, soil compacting, and trampling. Campers must stay in established campground unless they make arrangements for off-trail hiking and camping when the camping permit is issued. Off-trail hiking and camping is difficult at Isle Royale and recommended only for experienced campers.
Opportunities for campfires are limited; a self-contained fuel (backpacking) stove is needed. Backpacking stoves are dependable, easier to use, and less damaging to the park than wood fires. Backpacking stoves are also lightweight and eliminate the need for hatchets, axes, or saws. White gas is available at the camp stores at Rock Harbor and Windigo (core season) or from the visitor centers (shoulder seasons) from mid-May through the end of September. Where campfires are allowed, a metal fire ring is provided. Never build your own ring. Use only wood that is dead and down. Please do not peel bark or cut live trees or branches. Always extinguish your campfire completely before you depart the area. Water at Isle Royale deserves special care to avoid polluting it and exposing yourself or your party to diseases.
Open containers of alcoholic beverages are prohibited at Siskiwit Bay and McCargoe Cove Campgrounds, on their associated docks, and while on board boats at their docks.
A "group" constitutes any party of seven to ten people, including leaders. No group may be larger than ten persons. Consult group camping information to explore the possibilities for separate groups.
A backpacking trip into the wilderness requires careful planning to make it a successful and enjoyable adventure. Your dreams of a pleasant experience can easily be shattered by an overloaded pack, forgotten or inadequate pieces of equipment, or sore muscles and blistered feet.
We recommend an Isle Royale Topographic Map for all hikers. Information on trails is available through maps and booklets sold by Isle Royale Natural History Association, Isle Royale National Park, 800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, 1-800-678-6925.
There are no medical facilities on Isle Royale. Sick or injured people may be stranded for days before assistance arrives. Be in good physical condition. Come fully equipped. Know your limitations. Carry a good first aid kit. Inexperienced backpackers should do a couple of "break-in" overnight trips BEFORE coming to the island. Test your equipment. Develop your endurance and confidence.
Sturdy water-resistant foot gear is a must. Be sure your boots are completely broken in BEFORE you come to the island. Expect blisters and prepare for them. Bring extra socks, moleskin, and foot powder to help keep feet dry and comfortable.
Keep it light. With lightweight gear, food, and sensible packing, your backpack weight should be more tolerable.
There are 165 miles of trails on the island, offering a variety of options for trip length and difficulty. Trails are generally well-defined and easy to follow. Most hikers average a two mile-per-hour pace and find a ten mile day to be plenty. Check with rangers when registering for advice on routes and trail conditions. Rainy weather may require hikers to wade through wet, muddy areas. Off-trail travel is very difficult and much less distance can be covered. Ponds and swamps must be frequently crossed and vegetation is thick. North-facing slopes are steep.
Go to Canoeing and Kayaking at Isle Royale National Park
Go to Virtual Visitor Center for Isle Royale National Park
Go to Home Page for Isle Royale National Park