• A mid-afternoon veiw down the expanse of Isle Royale National Park. Photo taken from the Mount Ojibway Fire Tower.

    Isle Royale

    National Park Michigan

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  • Island Conditions as of 5/16/13

    The snow is gradually leaving and the inland lakes are opening up. South facing slopes are 25% or less snow covered, while north facing slopes are starting to see more bare ground. As conditions improve standing water will be common. More »

RANGER III Fares and Reservations

Ranger III loading a private boat

Ranger III loading a private boat

National Park Service

The 2013 season marks 55 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, 648 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. To read instructions on making a reservation, click here. To complete the reservation form, click here.

The Ranger offers passenger service from May 28 through September 14 and limited passenger service from September 17 through October 8. 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. For departure days and times for the September and October trips, please call 906-482-0984. The leisurely ride to Isle Royale takes 5 hours to Mott Island and 6 hours to Rock Harbor. To make a reservation a RANGER III reservation, please click here.

Limited late season passenger service:
The Ranger III will offer six passenger seats to Mott Island/Three Mile Campground on September 17, 24, and October 1 and six seats returning from Mott Island/Three Mile Campground on September 19, 26, and October 3 and returning from Windigo on October 8. For reservations for these limited passenger seats, please call 906-482-0984.

Keweenaw Waterway Cruises:
Board the Ranger III for a 2 1/2 hour tour of the mainland's scenic Keweenaw Waterway. Tours depart at 1:00 p.m. on July 11 and August 15. To make a reservation for the Keweenaw Waterway Tours, call 906-482-0984.

 

FARES ONE-WAY

LOW SEASON
Prior to 7/9 and after 8/24
Adults $53.00

HIGH SEASON
July 9 through August 24
Adults $63.00
ALL SEASON
Children (age 7-11) $23.00
Children (age 6 and under) Free
Boat (less than 18"00") 90.00
Boat (18'01" to 20'00") 140.00
Canoes/Kayaks (hand-loaded) 22.00
Canoes/Kayaks (over 20'00" or 90 lbs.) 50.00
Outboard Motor 15.00
100 lbs. gear per passenger FREE
Additional freight after 100 lbs. 9.50/100wt.

GROUP RATES (party 7 or more)
Adults $53.00
Children (age 7 - 11) 23.00

SPECIAL RATES:

Ranger III Birthday Celebration
If round-trip is taken between 6/11 and 6/22
Adult - one-way rate $31.50
Children (age 7-11) - one-way rate $11.50
Children (age 6 and under) FREE

LODGE PACKAGES
June 4 through July 3
Ranger III Passenger discount 25%
Rock Harbor Lodge with meals included discount 15%

July 5 through September 6
Ranger III Passenger discount 20%
Rock Harbor Lodge with meals included discount 10%

For reservations, contact the Rock
Harbor Lodge at 866-644-2003

LATE SEASON TRIPS - SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
From Houghton, Michigan to Mott Island/Three Mile
September 17, 24, and October 1

From Mott Island /Three Mile to Houghton, MI
September 19, 26, and October 3

From Windigo to Houghton, MI
October 8
Adults - age 12 and older $53.00
Child - age 7 through 11 23.00
Child - age 6 and under Free

KEWEENAW WATERWAY CRUISES
Board the Ranger III for a scenic tour of the Keweenaw Waterway. Tours depart at 1:00 p.m. on July 11 and August 15
Adult $20.00
Youth and Children (age 1 through 15) $5.00
Infants (under 1 year) FREE

Contact Information
Isle Royale National Park
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1869
(906) 482-0984
(906) 482-8753 (fax)
E-mail us by clicking here
Website: www.nps.gov/isro

Did You Know?

Areal view of the islans's Northeast end.

Ryan Island on Isle Royale’s Siskiwit Lake is the largest island on the largest lake on the largest island on the largest freshwater lake in the world.