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A Superior Wilderness

Isle Royale’s physical isolation and primitive wilderness challenged human use for centuries; ironically today it has become the Island’s main attraction. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, visitors come to experience this island park through hiking its trails, paddling its inland waterways, exploring its rugged coast, or venturing into the depth of its shipwrecks.

 
Ranger III is the largest ship that transports visitors and freight to Isle Royale National Park. The ship every 5 years is taken to dry dock for inspection.

Ranger III

The Ranger III, located in Houghton, Michigan, is the largest ship owned and operated by the National Park Service. The Ranger III is also the largest ship which supports and provides transportation services to Isle Royale National Park. Reservations for the 2010 season will begin January 2, to make an online reservation click here. To view the 2010 rates and schedules, click Here.
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Zebra Mussel

Emergency Response Guide for Handling Ballast Water to Control Non-Indigenous Species

This field guide was developed as an aid to incident responders responsible for handling ships with high-risk ballast water which maybe laden with non-indigenous species and harmful pathogens. To view this guide, click here.

 
Foggy shoreline on Isle Royales southern shoreline

Boater's Camping Request

To make an on-line request for campsites, anchorages, or dock space, click here. Please note - for those that do not have a season pass, the on-line submission will require a credit card payment. For more information on boating Isle Royale National Park, please review the park's newspaper and boating brochure by clicking here.

 
Lake Herring netted by the cultural demonstrator at the Edison Fishery may be affected by VHS.

Emergency Prevention and Response Plan and new bait use and boat cleaning restrictions for Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHSv) at Isle Royale National Park.

The plan focuses on preventing, detecting, responding, and accessing the risk of VHSv introduction in the four units of the National Park Service located in Lake Superior and the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. The plan also provides a framework for response. To view the plan, click here. To view the official news release, click here.

 

Write to

Isle Royale National Park
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1869

Phone

Visitor Information
(906) 482-0984

Emergencies
(800) 727-5847

Fax

(906) 482-8753

Climate

Lake Superior weather is cool throughout the operating season, causing dense fog in spring and summer months. The lake’s water temperature rarely exceeds 52 degrees Fahrenheit, while Island temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees. Thunderstorms and rain occur throughout the season, causing rapid changes in wind and wave conditions. Weather and rough seas rarely delay departures to and from the island. 
Communities Surrounding Isle Royale National Park
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Copper Harbor, MI (0 min. )
Grand Portage, MN (0 min. )
Houghton, MI (0 min. ) Pop. 7,010
Hancock, MI (1 min. ) Pop. 4,323
Dodgeville, MI (2 min. )
Atlantic Mine, MI (4 min. )
Dollar Bay, MI (6 min. )
South Range, MI (6 min. ) Pop. 727
Painesdale, MI (9 min. )
Mason, MI (11 min. ) Pop. 6,714
Chassell, MI (11 min. ) Pop. 1,822
Hubbell, MI (14 min. ) Pop. 1,105
 Calumet, MI (16 min. ) Pop. 879
Toivola, MI (17 min. )
Lake Linden, MI (18 min. ) Pop. 1,081
Allouez, MI (19 min. ) Pop. 1,584
Wolverine, MI (19 min. )
Kearsarge, MI (19 min. )
Hovland, MN (20 min. )
Ahmeek, MI (21 min. ) Pop. 157
Copper City, MI (23 min. ) Pop. 205
Fulton, MI (24 min. ) Pop. 2,413
Mohawk, MI (33 min. )
Grand Marais, MN (43 min. ) Pop. 1,353