Group Camping (7 or more people)

 
A group of backpackers hike the Rock Harbor Trail along Rock Harbor Channel
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 2 for the 2024 season.
    • Reservation requests received October to January 1 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.
    • 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 camps, outfitters, tour groups and any operation providing goods, activities, or services to the general public within the park must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA).

 

Trip Planning Assistance

 

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
Rock Harbor or Windigo Visitor
Centers upon island arrival or onboard

$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.
 
 

Last updated: February 28, 2024

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800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931

Phone:

906 482-0984

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