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Isle Royale National ParkSun rays shine through the mist in the deep woods of Isle Royale.
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Isle Royale National Park
Directions
 

Public Transportation

 
Regional Map
Regional Map

Isle Royale National Park is located in the northwest corner of Lake Superior. This Wilderness Island contains a road-less backcountry which prohibits the use of all wheeled vehicles and devices (except wheelchairs). Visitors traveling to this Island paradise must arrive by boat or seaplane. The transportation services depart from Houghton, Michigan, Copper Harbor, Michigan and Grand Portage, Minnesota.  Vehicular parking is available at all departure locations.  The transportation services are found to the right, in the highlight section. The following directions will guide you to the different departure points. 

 



Michigan Departure Points

Houghton
, Michigan
Vehicle: Houghton is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is 200 miles north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, 400 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, and 250 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. Houghton is located off of US-41 at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Airplane: Northwest provides daily flights to the Houghton County Memorial Airport, located eight miles north of Houghton on US-41.  Northwest can be reached by calling 800-225-2525, visiting their website www.nwa.com or call the airport office at 906-482-3970 for additional information.

Bus:  Greyhound offers daily service to Houghton, Michigan. Contact Greyhound at (906) 483-0093 or visit their website at www.greyhound.com.


Copper Harbor, Michigan
Vehicle: Copper Harbor is located at the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. It is located off US-41 just 52 miles north of Houghton, Michigan.

Airplane: Northwest provides daily flights to the Houghton County Memorial Airport, located 44 miles south of Copper Harbor on US-41. Northwest can be reached by calling 800-225-2525, visiting their website www.nwa.com or call the airport office at 906-482-3970 for additional information.

Bus: Unavailable


Minnesota Departure Points

Grand Portage, Minnesota
Vehicle:  Grand Portage, located in Minnesota’s northeastern section, is 150 mile north of Duluth, Minnesota. It is located off US-61 just 50 miles southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. 

Airplane: The closest airport, Thunder Bay International is 50 miles northeast of Grand Portage; they can be reached by calling 807-473-2600. The Duluth International Airport is found 150 miles south of Grand Portage and they can be reached by calling 218-727-2968

Bus:  Greyhound offers daily service to Duluth, Minnesota; they can be reached by calling 218-722-5591 or visit their website at www.greyhound.com.  Bus service between Grand Portage and Duluth or Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada is provided by Happy Times Tours. They can be reach at 800-473-5955 or visit their website at www.httours.com.

Located in Houghton, Michigan, the Ranger III is an NPS ship that services the park's northeast end.
Ranger III
Located in Houghton, Michigan, the Ranger III is an NPS ship that services the park's northeast end.
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The Queen is located in Copper Harbor, Michigan and services the northeast end of the Island.
Isle Royale Queen IV
The Queen is located in Copper Harbor, Michigan and services the northeast end of the Island.
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Royale Air, provides service to the Island from the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX)
Royale Air Service, Inc.
Royale Air, provides service to the Island from the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX)
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Located in Grand Portage, MN, the Voyageur II and Wenonah, circumnavigate or service the southwest side of the Island.
Voyageur II and Wenonah
Located in Grand Portage, MN, these boats circumnavigate/service the southwest side of the Island.
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View of the Greenstone Ridge Trail in the fall from the Ojibway Fire Tower.  

Did You Know?
The Greenstone Ridge, which forms the backbone of Isle Royale, is thought by many geologist to be a portion of the largest lava flow on earth.

Last Updated: July 21, 2007 at 17:34 EST