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Isle Royale National ParkScuba divers explore the pilot house of the Congdon.
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Isle Royale National Park
Fees & Reservations

Park Fees:

User Fee
$4 per person per day

Individual Season Pass, $50 (Optional)
This pass is valid from April 16 through October 31 of the year indicated.  The pass covers the User Fee for the person whose signature appears on the pass.

Season Boat Rider Pass, $150 (Optional)
This pass is valid from April 16 through October 31 of the year indicated.  The pass covers the User Fee for all persons onboard.  When camping, the pass is only valid for passengers included in and following the itinerary of the vessel.

Details:

The User Fee applies to all park visitors except for children 11 and under. The transportation providers collect the user fee from their passengers.  Private Boaters can pay their user fees at visitor centers in Rock Harbor, Windigo or Houghton. The Interagency Annual, Senior and Access Passes, plus the Golden Age and Golden Access Passports do not discount the user fee.  The Individual Season Pass and the Season Boat Rider Pass are non-refundable and non-transferable.

One hundred percent of the User Fee revenue stays at Isle Royale National Park and is slatted to fund backlogged projects, such as trail and dock maintenance. 

Interagency Pass Program

The Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, and the Interagency Access Pass along with the Golden Age and Golden Access Passports provide no discounts at Isle Royale National Park.  As a convenience to the traveling public, the Interagency Passes are only sold through the Houghton Visitor Center in Houghton, Michigan.

Interagency Annual Pass, $80
The pass covers entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee.  It also covers use of Bureau of Land Management, Reclamation and the Forest Service sites that charge a Standard Amenity Fee.

The pass belongs to the signer/s only and s/he must be present for the pass to be used.  Any two individuals may sign the pass regardless of their relationship to one another.  The pass admits the pass holder/s and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, and pass holder and up to three persons, not to exceed four persons (16 and older) at per person fee areas.  Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.

Interagency Senior Pass, $10
The Interagency Senior Pass may be purchased by US Citizens or permanent residents of the US that are 62 years of age or older.  The pass may only be purchased in person.  The pass covers entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee.  IT also covers use of Bureau of Land Management, Reclamation, and Forest Service sites that charge a Standard Amenity Fee.  It may provide a discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees such as camping and guided tours.

The pass has only one signature line and must be signed at time of purchase.  The pass belongs to the signer only and s/he must be present for the pass to be used.  The pass admits the pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, and pass holder and up to three persons, not to exceed four persons (16 and older) at per person fee areas.  Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge. 

Interagency Access Pass, Free
The Interagency Access Pass may be obtained free of charge by US Citizens or permanent residents of the US, regardless of age, that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.  The pass may only be obtained in person.  The pass covers entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee.  It also cover use of Bureau of Land Management, Reclamation, and Forest Service sites that charge a Standard Amenity Fee.  It may provide a discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees such as camping and guided tours.

The pass has only one signature line and must be signed at the time it is issued.  If the visitor is unable to sign the pass themselves a parent or guardian may sign it for them.  The pass belongs to the signer only and s/he must be present for the pass to be used.  There is no age requirement of the pass holder.  The pass admits the pass holder an any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, and pass holder and up to three person, not to exceed four persons (16 and older) at per person fee areas.  Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.

To verify proof of residency the visitor may show a driver's license, passport, or birth certificate.  The applicant must also present documentation of permanent disability.  If the applicant cannot produce this, s/he must read and sign the Statement of Disability Form in the presence of the staff member issuing the pass.  

Areal view of the Island's northshore.  

Did You Know?
Isle Royale was designated as a Biosphere Reserve on February 17, 1981. It is part of a program designed to protect examples of the different ecosystems of the world and to encourage research. It was chosen for its unspoiled nature and represents the northern lake forest biome.

Last Updated: August 19, 2008 at 16:20 EST