Discover the Natural Beauty of Isle Royale National Park!

In the early 1700s, commercial fishing began to take hold, but it wasn't until 1931 that Isle Royale National Park was authorised by Congress, with President Herbert Hoover designating the park to conserve a prime example of North Woods Wilderness. The park was further designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1976, under the Wilderness Act.

Isle Royale, located in Lake Superior, approximately 17 miles southeast of Grand Portage, Minnesota, and about 45 miles north of Copper Harbor, Michigan, is largely a wilderness area. The park spans over 571,790.11 acres, with 98% of the land designated as wilderness.

The island, it seems, must have been forcibly combed from northeast to southwest. Walking the island you are struck by its striated layout, its elongated forested-rock and lake patterns that parallel its backbone, the Greenstone Ridge. Over 165 miles of hiking trails are accessible from numerous points around the island, making it an ideal destination for hikers and backpackers.

Before the establishment of the national park, Isle Royale was popular for summer homes, excursions, and as a wilderness retreat early this century. In fact, many Isle Royale boaters make repeat trips to the island, and some can trace their island connections back for generations. Boaters have been coming to Isle Royale to enjoy the clean clear waters, the protected harbors and bays, the dramatic shorelines, and the excellent fishing for more than 100 years.

For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the marina at Rock Harbor Lodge offers diesel fuel, gasoline, and oil, and boats up to 65 feet long can be accommodated. Visitors can also reach the Island via private ferries originating in Grand Portage, Minnesota; Houghton, Michigan; or Copper Harbor, Michigan during the summer. A seaplane service operates out of Houghton, Michigan.

Isle Royale is an island in many ways. It is an island of wilderness and home to wolves in a modern world. Even first-time visitors can feel a keen appreciation for the resources and values of this one-of-a-kind maritime park. For a free brochure on accessible facilities and services that the park offers, contact the park at 906-482-0984.

Reach Isle Royale National Park from Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) by various means. The most efficient travel route and mode of transportation depends on the season and available services. The standard options include seaplane service directly from Thunder Bay, driving to Houghton, Michigan, and then taking a seaplane or ferry, or using a ferry from Houghton.

For those who wish to explore the park's wilderness by canoe or kayak, the park is perhaps ideal for the adept mobility impaired person. The park charges a $7 per person daily entrance fee, except for children 15 and under. Pets are not allowed within the park boundaries, including pets on boats.

Isle Royale National Park is not just a historical landmark, but also a living testament to the power of nature and the resilience of the wild. It is an island in time, a natural space in which you operate on natural time and experience the rhythms of light and dark. Visitors can feel a deep connection to the past and the present, as they walk the same paths that American Indians, miners, loggers, and early settlers once trod.

[1] Note: Seaplane and ferry services from Houghton require advance reservations and have limited schedules.

Isle Royale, nestled in Lake Superior, is a prime example of North Woods Wilderness, authorized as a national park in 1931.
The park spans over 571,790.11 acres, with 98% of the land designated as wilderness.
The island's unique striated layout, with elongated forested-rock and lake patterns, is a result of it being forcibly combed from northeast to southwest.
With over 165 miles of hiking trails, Isle Royale is an ideal destination for hikers and backpackers.
Before its designation as a national park, Isle Royale was popular for summer homes, excursions, and wilderness retreats.
Boaters have been coming to Isle Royale for more than 100 years to enjoy its clean clear waters, protected harbors, dramatic shorelines, and excellent fishing.
For those seeking a more relaxed pace, the marina at Rock Harbor Lodge offers accommodation for boats up to 65 feet long.
Visitors can reach the Island via private ferries from Grand Portage, Michigan, or Copper Harbor, Michigan, seaplane service from Houghton, Michigan, or ferry from Houghton during the summer.
Isle Royale is also accessible from Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT).
Canoe and kayak enthusiasts may find Isle Royale particularly appealing, as it offers opportunities for the adept mobility-impaired person.
A $7 per person daily entrance fee applies, except for children 15 and under.
Pets are not allowed within the park boundaries, including on boats.
Isle Royale National Park is a living testament to the power of nature and the resilience of the wild, offering a deep connection to the past and present.
Seaplane and ferry services from Houghton require advance reservations and have limited schedules.