Current Conditions at Isle Royale

Check current conditions to know what to expect for your trip to Isle Royale.

Mark Ambrose

Quick Facts

Amenities

1 listed

Information

Alerts & Closures

• Algal Blooms: Algal blooms have been identified at Chickenbone Lake, Lake Richie, Lake Desor, and Todd Harbor.

• Boaters: Some USCG navigational buoys are not in the water.

• Food Storage: Follow updated food storage regulations. Food storage lockers have been allocated in most, but not all, campgrounds. Helicopter operations dropped food storage lockers at inland campgrounds over winter; many have not yet been placed in their final location. Staff are working to get lockers in place and usable at every campground. 

• Rock Harbor Lighthouse: The tower is closed.

Weather

• Recreational Weather Forecast

• Marine Forecast

Water

• Algal blooms have been identified at Chickenbone Lake, Lake Richie, Lake Desor, and Todd Harbor.

• Suspected blooms are tested for toxin levels and monitored when possible. Given the consistently low toxin levels of blooms on Isle Royale, water quality safety guidance has been updated:

  • It is not recommended to filter water in any areas where there is surface scum, strong odors, or other evidence of a significant bloom.

  • Blooms move around depending on wind and rain – filter water from places where blooms are not present or a different water source.

  • It is low risk to filter water from relatively clear areas of an impacted water source.

Wildlife

• Bug Report: Biting insects are slowly vacating, but still present in mild amounts.

• Wolf activity is high on both ends of the island. Proper food storage considerations are critical.

  • Follow food storage regulations.

  • Review wildlife safety information.

  • Wolf hazing efforts are ongoing to deter negative wolf behavior.

  • Report any unusual behavior to a ranger as soon as possible.

• Moose are in rut (mating season). Maintain caution when encountering a moose and maintain a safe distance.

Facilities 

• Potable Water

  • Windigo / Ozaagaateng: Not available.

  • Rock Harbor: Not available.

• Restrooms: Bring toilet paper for use in outhouses.

  • Windigo / Ozaagaateng: Closed. Use Washington Creek Campground outhouses. Bring toilet paper.

  • Rock Harbor: Closed. Use Rock Harbor Campground outhouses. Bring toilet paper.

• Showers & Laundry

  • Windigo / Ozaagateng: Closed.

  • Rock Harbor: Closed.

• Trash Disposal

  • Windigo / Ozaagaateng: Not available. Pack out all trash.

  • Rock Harbor: Available. 

• Visitor Center Hours: Rock Harbor Visitor Center is closed. Windigo/Ozaagaateng Visitor Center is closed. 

• Rock Harbor Lodge: Closed.

• Washington Harbor Store: Closed.

• Boat Fuel: Gasoline and Diesel

  • Windigo / Ozaagaateng: Closed.

  • Rock Harbor: Closed.

Camping

• Daisy Farm Campground: Beaver activity is changing the landscape of this campground. Expect wet conditions.

• Food Storage Lockers: Follow updated food storage regulations. Food storage lockers have been allocated in most, but not all, campgrounds. Helicopter operations dropped food storage lockers at inland campgrounds over winter; many have not yet been placed in their final location. Staff are working to get lockers in place and usable at every campground. 

Trails

• No report at this time.

Wildland Fire

• Little or no risk. National wildland fire outlook.

Dive Buoys

Check if dive buoys are currently on or off station.