Natural Features & Ecosystems

  • Geology fossil sand ripples
    Geology & Soils

    Isle Royale began to form when a rift opened up in the earth's crust 1.2 billion years ago.

  • A large leaf of Devil's Club with red berries
    Shrubs

    Shrubs at Isle Royale range from delicious to dangerous!

  • A cluster of purple lady slippers
    Flowering Plants

    Isle Royale is home to over 600 flowering plants, several of which are rare or found only in small populations.

  • A large fully-grown green fern
    Ferns

    There are nearly 30 different fern species on Isle Royale and each lives in a certain type of habitat.

  • A lush carpet of spongy colorful moss
    Mosses

    Mosses form lush carpets just about everywhere in the island's boreal forests.

  • An aerial photo of coniferous trees
    Trees

    The forests and trees of Isle Royale are ever-changing.

  • A rock covered in bright orange lichen
    Lichens

    Over 600 different species of lichen live on Isle Royale and were probably some of the first organisms to colonize the bare rock.

  • Multiple Calypso Orchids surrounded by other vegetation found on the Stoll Trail at Isle Royale.
    Plant Species List

    Discover which vascular plant species can be found on Isle Royale.

Last updated: December 28, 2020

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Mailing Address:

800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931

Phone:

906 482-0984

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