Group Camping (7 or more people)

2020 COVID-19 Changes for Group Camping

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any visitor requesting any refund for any reason will receive a 100% refund. Entrance Fees and Group Camping Fees paid in advance will be refunded by request upon contacting the park. If you paid via www.pay.gov and have your email receipt showing your Pay.gov ID, the refund can be processed significantly faster.

We are accepting Group Camping Reservation Requests for parties of 7 or more for 2020. With all passenger ferry service suspended, the only transportation to and from the park is Isle Royale Seaplanes, which plans to operate.

 

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A group of backpackers hike the Rock Harbor Trail along Rock Harbor Channel.

Things to Know

• Advance group camping reservations and permits are required for groups of seven to ten individuals, including leaders.
• If your party exceeds ten, you must split into two or more groups (of ten or less), each independent and traveling on completely separate itineraries. For groups of ten or more breaking up into small-parties (1-6 people), a permit must still be obtained in advance.
• Groups of seven to ten may only camp in reserved group campsites.
• Organizations may not have more than 20 people camping on the island at any one time and are limited to 80 people per year.

 

Group Camping Reservation Requests

Isle Royale accepts group camping reservation requests beginning January 2 for the upcoming summer. The park strives to process all requests as quickly as possible. However, due to limited winter staffing, we are not able to process most requests until March, when staffing increases.

All requests are processed in the order we receive them.

To make a request, visit the Group Camping Reservation Instructions page.

 

Commercial Groups

Commercial groups such as "for profit" camps, outfitters, tour groups and any operation providing goods, activities, or services to the general public within the park, and which is undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit to an individual, organization or corporation, must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA).

 

Trip Planning Assistance

• Groups are required to follow a set itinerary based on the group campsites they have reserved.
• Group campsites are located at a limited number of campgrounds.
• Use the most current park newspaper and the trail mileage chart to help choose overnight locations.
• Contact the park or email group camping questions directly to us.

 

Fees & Permit Types Based on People

If You Have	You Will Camp At	Permit Required	Obtain Your Permit At	Fees
One party of 6 people or less	Individual Campsites, first-come first-served	Small-party Backcountry Camping Permit	Rock Harbor or Windigo Visitor Centers upon island arrival or onboard Ranger lll ferry	$0 + Entrance Fees
One Group of 7 - 10 people	Reserved Group Campsites	Group Camping Permit	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$25 + Entrance Fees
Two Groups of 7 - 10 people	Reserved Group Campsites	Two Group Camping Permits are required with completely separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$50 + Entrance Fees
One Group of 7 - 10 people and one party of 6 people or fewer	Reserved Group Campsites and Individual Campsites, first-come first-served for party of 6 or fewer	Group Camping Permit and a Small-party Backcountry permit. Both parties required to have complete separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$50 + Entrance Fees
Two parties of 6 people or fewer	Individual Campsites, first-come first-served	Group Camping Permit and a Small-party Backcountry Camping Permit. Both parties required to have complete separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$50 + Entrance Fees
One Group of 7 - 10 people and two parties of 6 people or fewer (not to exceed 20)	Reserved Group Campsites and Individual Campsites, first-come first-served for parties of 6 or fewer	Group Camping Permit and a Small-party Backcountry Camping Permit. Both parties required to have complete separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$75 + Entrance Fees
Two Groups of 7 - 10 people and one party of 6 people or fewer (not to exceed 20)	Reserved Group Campsites and Individual Campsites, first-come first-served for party of 6 or fewer	Group Camping Permit and a Small-party Backcountry Camping Permit. Both parties required to have complete separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$75 + Entrance Fees
Two parties of 6 people or fewer	Individual Campsites, first-come first-served	Small-party Backcountry Camping Permit for each party with completely separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$50 + Entrance Fees
Three parties of 6 people or fewer	Individual Campsites, first-come first-served	Small-party Backcountry Camping Permit for each party with completely separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$75 + Entrance Fees
Four parties of 6 people or fewer (not to exceed 20)	Individual Campsites, first-come first-served	Small-party Backcountry Camping Permit for each party with completely separate itineraries**	The Isle Royale NP Group Fee form on wwww.pay.gov The park will contact you	$100 + Entrance Fees

**Separate itineraries mean small-parties/groups cannot camp in the same campground at the same time.