• 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

Transportation Services

M.V. Ranger III in fog

M.V. Ranger III in fog

There are four ferries and one seaplane that provide service to and from Isle Royale National Park. All have different fares and schedules and reservations are strongly recommended. Services do fill up, especially in the peak season, late-July through mid-August. Make your reservation as soon as your travel dates are firm. For a more peaceful experience during our slow time, you may want to visit Isle Royale in late May, early June or September.

 
RIII-Boat-Loading-High-Poin

Ranger III loading a private boat

The M.V. Ranger III From Houghton, Michigan

The Motor Vessel Ranger III is the largest piece of moving equipment owned and operated by the National Park Service and the largest passenger ferry providing service to Isle Royale National Park. The Ranger III 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 and outdoor seating for passenger comfort. Unlike other service providers, the Ranger III offers transportation for private boats up to 20'00" or less and offers its patrons free parking at a secure lot. The ship operates out of Houghton, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The Ranger III offers passenger services from May 28 through September 14. 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. To review instructions for making a reservation and payment by e-mail, fax, or mail, click here. To make a reservation using the reservation request form, click here. To make a Ranger III reservation by phone, please call (906) 482-0984. To view the 2013 rates and schedule, click here.

In 2013 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. To make reservations for these limited 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.

  • Sea Hunter Sea Hunter

    Located in Grand Portage, Minnesota, the Sea Hunter makes three or five daily round-trips to the southwest side of the island at Windigo. You will have four hours to walk trails, take in an interpretive presentation, or just enjoy the Windigo area. Read More

  • Isle Royale Queen IV Isle Royale Queen IV

    The Isle Royale Queen IV is located in Copper Harbor, Michigan and services the northeast end of the Island at Rock Harbor. This boat offers same day round-trip service to the island's northeast side at Rock Harbor. Read More

  • Royale Air Service, Inc. Royale Air Service, Inc.

    Royale Air Service, departs from the Houghton County Memorial Airport. The plane provides service to both ends of the island at Windigo and Rock Harbor. They also provide inter-island transportation. Read More

  • Voyageur II Voyageur II

    Located in Grand Portage, Minnesota the Voyageur II circumnavigates the island clockwise, once, twice, or three times a week during the season. They offer drop-off and pick-up service at several of the islands campgrounds. Read More

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.