Isle Royale is a remote island wilderness in Lake Superior. The National Park Service calls it Minong, a name the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa uses for "the good place." The park is one large island and more than 450 smaller ones. 15

What to see

The park preserves 132,018 acres of land that became wilderness on October 20, 1976. With the submerged land that extends 4½ miles into the lake, it covers 850 square miles. 5 The Greenstone Ridge is the island's backbone. Geologists take it for part of a vast lava flow. 5

Only 19 mammal species live here, against more than 40 on the nearby mainland. Moose are among the few that made the crossing. The wolf–moose study on Isle Royale is the longest-running large-mammal predator–prey study on earth. 15 The park's isolation is why it was named an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. 5

The park also points to dark skies and the aurora. 1

You arrive at Rock Harbor on the east end or Windigo on the west. 3

Best seasons

The park is open April 16 through October 31. It is closed to all visitors from November 1 through April 15, and that closure reaches 4.5 miles out into Lake Superior. 34 Winter headquarters stay in Houghton. Summer headquarters sit on Mott Island. 4 This page does not copy visitor-center clocks. Those belong on the park hours page.

How to get there

You reach the island by ferry, seaplane or private boat. Vehicles stay on the mainland. 23 Public boats and the seaplane leave from Houghton and Copper Harbor in Michigan, and from Grand Portage in Minnesota. 3 The park says those public boats run from the middle of May until September. Schedules belong on the carrier you choose, not here. 3

Mainland headquarters are at 800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, Michigan, 49931. 24

Tips

  • Weather on Superior decides whether you get on or off the island. Read the park pages the week you go. 2
  • Groups of 7 or more need a group camping permit and advance reservations. Overnight camping takes a permit. 1
  • The park asks boaters to permit in advance through the Houghton Visitor Center. 1
  • We have an Isle Royale moose ornament in the shop, plain and personalized. There is no Isle Royale trip PDF yet.

Safety

Lake Superior, isolation and a short open season are the risks the park names. This page does not report today's wind, fog or which boats are running. Check the Isle Royale National Park page and the directions page before you go. 13