Isle Royale National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

QUICKLINKS:

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

The Ranger III, located in Houghton, Michigan, is the largest ship owned and operated by the National Park Service. In 2008 the ship will celebrate 50 years of service. In honor of this event, the park is offering special rates and has scheduled five, same-day round trips to Windigo. Windigo is located on the west end of the island and offers backpackers the opportunity to traverse the island and be picked up by the Ranger III in Rock Harbor or Windigo. To make a reservation for the Windigo trips call (906) 482-0984. To make an on-line reservation to Rock Harbor, click here.
Due to high fuel costs, anyone making a reservation after July 8, 2008 will incur a fuel surcharge of $10.00 per adult, round-trip.
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Celebrating 50 Years of Wolf-Moose Research

Scientist have been studying the ineractions of wolves and moose at Isle Royale National Park since 1958. This is the longest continuous predator-prey study in the world. Throughout 2008, the National Park Service, Michigan Technological University, and partners in three states will host a series of events and produce lesson plans and other materials to commemorate the event. To view the official news release, click here. To view the official wolf-moose anniversary website, click here. To view lesson plans and information about the wolf-moose study, click here. To view the official Isle Royale wolf-moose website, click here.

Visitors boat travels down the Rock Harbor Channel

Boater's Camping Request/Notice

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. To view new regulations for boat cleaning and bait use in Lake Superior waters inside the park's boundary, click here.
Please Note: The Malone Bay dock is closed for maintenance and will not open until the middle of September.

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 new regulations for boat cleaning and bait use in Lake Superior waters inside the park's boundary, click here. To view the official news release, click here.

Write to

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

E-mail Us

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.