Current Conditions at Isle Royale

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

Nelson Decker

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Information

Alerts & Closures

• Increased Potential for Wolf/Human Interactions Island-Wide: Wolf/human interactions may occur throughout the park. The NPS closely monitors wolf/human interactions in order to maximize safe park experiences while minimizing disturbance to wildlife. Report all sightings and interactions to a park ranger as soon as possible. 
• New Food Storage Guidelines To Reduce Human – Wildlife Interactions : Effective immediately, these new protocols are required for all visitors entering Rock Harbor, Three Mile, Lane Cove, Daisy Farm, Moskey Basin, Duncan Bay, Duncan Bay Narrows, and Merritt Lane:
  • Proper Storage: Storage of food, garbage, and other scented materials in a campsite now requires following additional procedures including:
    • Secure your food and trash
      • The storage of food, garbage, and other scented materials in tents and unattended packs is not permitted.
      • Campsite shelters are an approved location to secure all items. DO NOT leave items like shoes, socks, food, trash, and cookware unattended outside a shelter.
      • For those not in shelters, large, gated lockers (kennels or bear-proof canisters) are now in place at Lane Cove, Rock Harbor, Three Mile, Daisy Farm and Moskey Basin campgrounds. These are for storage of food and trash at tent and group sites.
      • Scented items should be stored in scent-proof bags or containers.
      • As an alternative to scent-proof bags, visitors who have appropriate equipment and knowledge are encouraged to hang their food at a height greater than 10’.
      • If storage space is unavailable, please work with fellow campers to store your items in the shelter they are occupying or hang your food.
  • Never Leave Packs Unattended: Keep your day pack/backpack (anything with food or trash in it) with you at all times and/or assign a group member to closely monitor packs in your absence. This guideline is applies to the entire park.
  • Wolf Management Actions:
    • Increased Hazing Efforts: Park staff have increased hazing efforts to discourage wolves from approaching populated areas.
    • Electric Fencing: Electric fencing is being installed around dumpsters in the Rock Harbor area to prevent wolves from accessing and scavenging food waste.
    • Efficient Waste Management: Full dumpsters are promptly removed to minimize attractants. Individual trash cans in Rock Harbor are being replaced with dumpsters and eventually bear-proof style trash cans.
    • Enhanced Communication: Increased signage and messaging are being deployed throughout the park to inform visitors about new guidelines and safety measures. Through communication park staff can empower visitors to make changes that will ensure their safety and maintain the natural behaviors of park wildlife.
• Island Mine Campground Stream Low: The stream has very little water flow. Campers should bring enough water to Island Mine or plan on collecting water at Carnelian Beach to the south. 
• Rock Harbor Lighthouse: The tower is closed. The museum is open for the season.
• Cross-country camping zones 2024 Closures: 10, 9A, 8A, 12A, and 11A are closed due to the 2021 Horne Fire and the 2022 Mount Franklin Fire.

Safety for 2024

• Your safety is your responsibility. Have a conservative trip plan, plan your gear with conditions in mind, be first aid ready, and have plans on what you might do in case something goes wrong. Self-rescue is the best rescue as park response is limited and help could be hours or days away. Come prepared with everything you may need.
• Water is Life: Stay Hydrated. Potable water is only available in Rock Harbor and Windigo. To be assured of no risk of contamination from small bacteria and viruses, all filtered water should be further treated with iodine or other approved chemical methods. 

Weather

• Recreational Weather Forecast
• Marine Forecast.

Facilities 

• Potable Water:
  • Windigo: Available through 9/29.
  • Rock Harbor: Available through 9/30.
• Restrooms:
  • Windigo: Available through 9/20.
  • Rock Harbor: Available through 9/21. 
  • Bring toilet paper for use in outhouses.
• Showers & Laundry
  • Windigo: Closed.
  • Rock Harbor: Closed.
• Visitor Centers Hours
  • The Rock Harbor and Windigo Visitor Centers are open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm through 9/21. 
    • The Rock Harbor Visitor Center will be open for the 9/23 Isle Royale Queen IV ferry. It will be closed for the 9/27 and 9/30 ferries.
    • The Windigo Visitor Center will be open for the 9/22 Voyageur II ferry. It will be closed for the 9/28 and 9/29 ferries.
• Rock Harbor Lodge: Closed. 
• Washington Harbor Store: Closed.

Transportation Services

Direct questions about transportation services and making reservations to respective providers. Dates sell out; reserve early.

Camping

• General Conditions: Look out for hanging branches and other hazards before setting up camp. 
• Stay Night Limits in Effect: Camping longer than stay limitations at designated campgrounds and their associated docks between June 1 - September 21 (Rock Harbor, Three Mile, Lane Cove, and Washington Creek Campgrounds) and June 1 - September 2 (all other campgrounds) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by permit.
• Daisy Farm Campground: Beaver activity is changing the landscape of this campground. Expect wet conditions.
  • Site 15 Closed: Due to beavers felling trees adjacent to this site, it is closed.

Trails

• General Conditions: Trails are generally dry. Areas of trail are overgrown due to wet conditions this spring.
• Downed Trees: Obstructions do exist on trails and in campgrounds. Bring hiking poles to assist with difficult sections and wear sturdy, well-broken-in footwear.
• Trail Navigation: Changing trail conditions due to beaver activity and wildfires from previous years can make certain sections of trail difficult to navigate. Have a map and compass and/or a GPS and know how to use them.
• Rock Cairns: These exist to help hikers navigate exposed rocky outcrops. Leave cairns where you see them.

Bug Report

• Biting Insects: A few mosquitoes persist here and there due to warm temperatures.

Wildland Fire

• General Conditions: Little or no risk. National wildland fire outlook.
• Campfires: Fires are only allowed at designated campgrounds with metal fire rings or grill grates. Use dead and down wood only no bigger than your wrist. Fires must be extinguished with water and stirred until cool to the touch, with no residual hot embers. Illegal fires are investigated and prosecuted per 36 CFR 2.13(a).

Water Conditions

• Lower Lake Superior Water Levels: Water levels are lower than in 2023. Mariners should exercise caution when navigating Isle Royale's numerous reefs, shoals, and points.
• Island Mine Campground Stream Low: The stream has very little water flow. Campers should bring enough water to Island Mine or plan on collecting water at Carnelian Beach to the south. 
• Swimmer's Itch Present in Park Waters
• Harmful Algal Blooms: There are no algal blooms reported in the park. Any suspected algal blooms should be reported to a park visitor center.

Wildlife 

• Moose Rut: Bull moose behavior is unpredictable during the moose rut (mating season). If a bull moose were to approach, protect yourself by putting a large tree or rock between you and the moose.
• Cow Moose with Calves: Cow moose are extremely protective of their calves. If you see a cow moose (no antlers), look to see if there is a calf around. If a cow moose were to approach, protect yourself by putting a large tree or rock between you and the moose.
• Wolves: If you see a wolf, do not approach. If the wolf comes closer, encourage it to leave by clapping and yelling. If you cannot safely leave, make yourself big and aggressively use hiking poles or branches. Wolf attacks are extremely rare and unlikely to happen, but if it does, fight by any means necessary.
  • Increased Potential for Wolf/Human Interactions Island-Wide: Wolf/human interactions may occur throughout the park.  The NPS closely monitors wolf/human interactions in order to maximize safe park experiences while minimizing disturbance to wildlife. At campgrounds, keep food and personal items secure inside tent or shelter. Report all sightings and interactions to a park ranger as soon as possible. 
  • Wolf Management in Rock Harbor: There have been repeated wolf encounters in the developed area of Rock Harbor. Wolves have been investigating human food sources, including trash cans and items at campgrounds. To stop this behavior, National Park Service staff are performing actions that encourage wolves to leave the Rock Harbor area. These actions include loudly shouting, stomping, and clapping, and discharging paintball rounds.
  • New Food Storage Guidelines to Reduce Human - Wildlife Interactions: New food storage protocols are in effect for all visitors entering Rock Harbor, Three Mile, Lane Cove, Daisy Farm, Moskey Basin, Duncan Bay, Duncan Bay Narrows, and Merritt Lane Campgrounds.

Dive Buoys

Check if dive buoys are currently on or off station.

Customs

• All recreational boaters intending to arrive at Isle Royale from Canada must clear U.S. customs prior to their arrival. This is true regardless of the nationality of the individual or purpose of the visit.
• All members on-board arriving vessels must have proper documentation such as a valid passport, U.S. Passport card, enhanced driver’s license, Trusted Traveler Program card, or NEXUS card.
• If you are a Canadian citizen and plan to continue into the U.S., you must visit a port of entry upon leaving Isle Royale waters.
• If customs cannot be cleared on Isle Royale, you must leave.
• Private seaplanes cannot come directly to Isle Royale NP from Canada and utilize the ROAM app.
• Learn more about clearing customs ahead of time.