Group Camping (7 or more people)

 

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

Group Camping Reservations Must Be Made in Advance of Island Arrival

• Advance group camping reservations are required for groups of seven or more individuals, including leaders.
  • If you have seven or more in your camping group, and do not obtain advanced reservations before arriving on-island, you may be required to leave the island immediately and subject to park fines.
• Maximum group size is 20 people on the island at one time.
• If your group exceeds 10, you must split into two or more parties (of 10 or less), each traveling on completely separate itineraries. Groups traveling as two or more small-parties (1 - 6 people), must still make reservations.
• Who reserves group campsites? Groups with a party of seven to ten people may only camp in reserved group campsites.
• Required to follow planned itinerary: Groups of 7 or more people, including groups splitting into multiple parties regardless of party size, are required to follow the reserved itineraries.
• Entrance fees are required in addition to any group reservation requests.

Capacity Limitations for Organizations

• Organizations may not have more than 20 people camping on the island at any one time.

• Organizations are limited to 80 people per year.

 

Group Camping Reservation Requests

• When can I make a request? Beginning January 3 for the 2023 season.
  • Reservation requets received October to January 2 will not be processed.
• What do I need to make a request?
  • Number of parties within your group.
    • Most often this is one party of 7 - 10 people.
  • Number of people for each party in your group.
  • Planned party itineraries.
    • Which campgrounds will you stay at on which nights.
    • Campground stay limits are in effect
  • Transportation method to and from Isle Royale.
• When will requests be processed? Due to limited winter staffing, requests are often not processed until March.
• All requests are processed in the order we receive them.

Once you have the above information, to make a request visit Group Camping Reservation Instructions.

 

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

• Group campsites for seven to ten individuals are located at a limited number of campgrounds.
• Use the group campsites table and the trail mileage chart to help choose overnight locations.
• Before submitting requests online, have trip itineraries planned.
  • When itinerary complications arise, the park will work with you to find solutions.
• 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 party of 7 - 10 people (one group)	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 parties of 7 - 10 people (one group)	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 party of 7 - 10 people and one party of 6 people or fewer (two parties, one group)	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
One group split into two parties of 6 people or fewer (two parties, one group)	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 party of 7 - 10 people and two parties of 6 people or fewer, maximum 20 (3 parties, one group)	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 parties of 7 - 10 people and one party of 6 people or fewer, maximum 20 (3 parties, one group)	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 (2 parties, one group)	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 (3 parties, one group)	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, maximum 20 ( 4 parties, one group)	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 part of larger groups cannot camp in the same campground at the same time.

 

 

Pay Your Fees Before Island Arrival

If Pay in Advance = Served First Return to Group Camping