National Park Service
Ranger III loading a private boat
The 2009 season marks 51 years of service of the Ranger III. The Ranger is the largest piece of moving equipment owned and operated by the National Park Service and the largest ferry servicing to Isle Royale National Park. The Ranger is 165 feet long, 34 feet wide, 650 ton vessel that carries 128 passengers. The ship with its crew of nine, offers interpretive and educational programs, a luncheon grill, three staterooms, four comfortable lounges, two decks and indoor/outdoor seating for passenger comfort. The Ranger offers transportation for private boats up to 20’0" in length. The ship operates out of Houghton, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Parking is free and located in secure fenced-in lots.
The Ranger offers passenger service from June 2 through September 12. The ship travels from Houghton to Rock Harbor on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing Houghton at 9:00 a.m. EDT, and returns from Rock Harbor to Houghton on Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing Rock Harbor at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Please note: the Ranger III's schedule will change on Thursday, June 25, at 9:00 a.m. the ship will depart Houghton, arriving in Rock Harbor at 3:00 p.m. EDT The ship will return from Rock Harbor on Friday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. On June 27 the ship will travel to Windigo, departing Houghton at 8:00 a.m. EDT and will arrive in Windigo at 1:00 p.m. EDT. The ship will return on the same day at 2:30 p.m. EDT and will arrive in Houghton at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The leisurely ride to Isle Royale takes 5 hours to Mott Island and Windigo and 6 hours to Rock Harbor. To make an on-line Ranger III reservation for Rock Harbor, click here to reserve a seat to Windigo, please call 906-482-0984.
