Isle Royale National Park

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun closed

From 56 published days, 2026-10-21 to 2026-12-15; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center, Showers, Store / concessions, Wi-Fi.

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Backpacking trail

Shows and experiences

• Become an Isle Royale Junior Ranger

Before you go

First aid

2 first-aid locations mapped in-park — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Campers extending their stay will be required to extend their camping permit and pay additional fees at the Rock Harbor or Windigo Visitor Centers

Limits

Dogs, cats and other mammals are not allowed on the island

Park alert: All Backpacks Must be in Storage Area at Three Mile and Rock Harbor.

All backpacks must be stored in backpack storage areas at Three Mile and Rock Harbor campgrounds. All food and scented items are to be in the Food Storage Lockers. Containers should be kept in the Food Storage Locker when space allows or near the Food Storage Locker, do not store in tents.

⚠ Caution: Island Mine Campground Stream Low

The stream has very little water flow. Campers should bring enough water to Island Mine or plan on collecting water along your route.

Park alert: Food Storage Regulations in Effect

Proper food storage is required on Isle Royale. All food, trash, scented items, cooking supplies, cooking utensils, and fish/fish parts must be stored properly. To learn more about food storage and to learn how to properly store your food, trash, and scented items, click "more."

Park alert: Boat Fuel Unavailable

Fuel for boaters will not be available from September 13 through October 31 except for emergencies only. Boaters are encouraged to bring extra fuel in containers.

⚠ Park closure: Tent Camping Closed at Multiple East End Campgrounds

Due to increased human-wildlife interactions and food storage concerns, individual tent sites and group sites at Three Mile, Daisy Farm, Moskey Basin, and Caribou Island Campgrounds are currently closed. Tent and hammock camping are not permitted anywhere within the campground. Off-trail camping zones 10, 11, 12, 13, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 are closed. Shelters remain open. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.

⚠ Caution: Harmful Algal Blooms Occurring in Lake Richie and Intermediate Lake

Blooms are tested for toxin levels and monitored. Toxin levels are consistently low on Isle Royale. It is not recommended to filter water in any areas where there is surface scum, strong odors, or other evidence of a significant bloom. Blooms move around depending on wind and rain – filter water from places where blooms are not present or a different water source. It is low risk to filter water from relatively clear areas of an impacted water source.

Getting there

Isle Royale National Park headquarters is located in Houghton, MI. Visit the Houghton page on the Isle Royale National Park website for additional information and a map on how to access the visitor center.

Weather & when to go

Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior. Weather influences traveling to and from the island, as well as your trip once you arrive. For the most up-to-date weather information, call (906) 482-0984 or email isro_parkinfo@nps.gov prior to your trip.

Visitor center

Amygdaloid Island

Visitor center

Current Conditions at Isle Royale

Visitor center

First Timer's Guide to Isle Royale

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center — April 15 - May 24: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm May 26 - September 20: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm EDT September 21 - October 31: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm, Closed Federal Holidays November 1 - April 14: Closed — The Visitor Center is located on the east end of Lakeshore Dr. in downtown Houghton, MI on the Keewenaw Waterway adjacent to the historic Dee Stadium. If traveling north on US41, turn right on Lakeshore Dr. just as you enter downtown Houghton on Shelden Avenue. The turn is adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce. If traveling north on M26, merge with US41 South. As you leave downtown use the left…

Visitor center

Isle Royale National Park

Visitor center

Isle Royale Queen IV

Visitor center

Ranger III

Facilities on the park map

11 bench, 3 changing table, 3 defibrillator, 4 first aid kit, 2 first aid station, 9 picnic area, 33 restroom, 30 visitor information, 16 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Little Todd Campground Little Todd Campground is located in Little Todd, on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Minong Ridge Trail. Stay Limit: 2 nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually. Access: Foot/canoe/kayak. No boat access. · 4 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Hatchet Lake Campground Hatchet Lake Campground is located on Hatchet Lake off of the Hatchet Lake Trail. This campground is located near the center of the island. Stay Limit: 2 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Access: Foot · 8 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• South Lake Desor Campground South Lake Desor Campground is located inland on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge Trail. There is no canoe/kayak/boat access. Stay Limit: 2 nights effective from June 1 – Labor Day. Access: Foot · 10 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout camp. Facilities are not accessible.
• North Desor Campground North Desor Campground is located on the north side of Lake Desor off of the Minong Ridge Trail. There is no boat/canoe/kayak access. Stay Limit: 2 nights from June 1 – Labor Day Access: Foot · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Hay Bay Campground Hay Bay Campground is located in Hay Bay on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Depth at dock (normal conditions): 3’-7’. Access: Canoe/kayak/private boat · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Malone Bay Campground Malone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Ishpeming Trail. Boats can overnight at dock. A ranger station, information station, and dock can be found just further east of the campground. The ranger station is not always staffed. Stay Limit: 3 nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually. Shelters: 5 Depth at dock (normal conditions): · 7 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Todd Harbor Campground Todd Harbor Campground is located in Todd Harbor on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Minong Ridge Trail. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Shelters: 1 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 2’. Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat · 9 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Island Mine Campground Island Mine Campground is located .5 miles south from the junction of the Greenstone and Island Mine Trails, on the Island Mine Trail. This inland campground offers no canoe/kayak/boat access. Little Siskiwit River runs south of the campground, where water can usually be obtained for filtering, unless it is dried up. Check with a Visitor Center for current water status. Stay Limit: 3 nights effect · 6 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Wood Lake Campground Wood Lake Campground is located inland on the north shore of Wood Lake. Wood Lake can be accessed via a .6 mile portage from Lake Whittlesey or from Siskiwit Lake. Stay Limit: 2 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Access: Canoe/kayak. No private boat access. · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Siskiwit Bay Campground Siskiwit Bay Campground is located in Siskiwit Bay on the southwest end of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Island Mine and Feldtmann Ridge Trails. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 to Labor Day annually. Shelters: 2 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 2’-6’. Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat · 9 campsites · Accessibility: The campground is open from April 16 - October 31 (the park operating season) annually, 24 hours a day.
• Intermediate Lake Campground Intermediate Lake Campground is located on the shoreline of Intermediate Lake. Intermediate Lake can be accessed via a .6 mile portage from Lake Richie or a .4 mile portage from Siskiwit Lake. Stay Limit: 2 nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually. Access: Canoe/kayak, no private boat access. · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Lake Whittlesey Campground Lake Whittlesey Campground is located on the north shore of Lake Whittlesey. Consecutive night stay limit is two nights. Three individual tent sites are available. No boat access. Canoe/kayak access via .6 mile portage from Wood Lake and .6 mile portage from Chippewa Harbor. Stay Limit: 3 nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually. Access: Canoe/kayak, no private boat or trail access. · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.

History

Opened

1940

• Park opened