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Isle Royale National Park |
Description:
Wolves and moose, the wild North Woods forest, everchanging weather and a cool climate, and the crystal clear waters and rugged shoreline of Lake Superior characterize Isle Royale National Park. This wilderness archipelago is 45 miles long and nine miles wide at it's widest point. The park encompasses a total area of 850 square miles including submerged lands which extends four and a half miles out into Lake Superior. The
archipelago is composed of many parallel ridges resulting from ancient lava flows which were tilted and glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for backpackers and recreational boaters. There is excellent fishing, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites, and plenty of spots to observe wildlife. Roadless Isle Royale is accessible only by boat or float plane. Isle Royale is relatively untouched by direct outside influences and serves as a living
laboratory and Unites States Biosphere Reserve.
Designations:
National Park authorized (March 3, 1931)
National Park established (April 3, 1940)
Wilderness designation (October 20, 1976)
National Biosphere Reserve (1980)
Accessibility:
sle Royale is largely a wilderness area. When planning a visit, recognize the wilderness mandate of the park and that there are topographic, vegetative, and physical obstacles that might require you to have assistance. The park is perhaps ideal for the adept mobility impaired person that can experience the wilderness resource via canoe or sea kayak. For information about access, contact the park at (906) 482-0984.
Getting Around:
During its clockwise circumnavigation of the island, the Voyageur II provides drop off and pick up service at several areas.
Rock Harbor Lodge offers the M.V. Sandy vessel, which provides a number of special tours. Also available out of Rock Harbor Lodge is a water taxi and motorboat and canoe rentals. Motorboat and canoae rentals are also available at Windigo. Travel on Isle Royale is foot or boat.
Activites:
Boating | Camping | Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Swimming | Wilderness Area | Wildlife Viewing | Snow Skiing | Backpacking | Bird Watching | Nature Walks | Stargazing | Kayaking | Scuba Diving | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Restaurant or Snack Bar | Lodging | Picnic Areas | Groceries or Supplies | Comfort Stations | Museum Exhibits | Cabin Rentals | Fuel | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Directions to Isle Royale National Park
Plane:
Isle Royale Seaplane Service flies a seaplane from Houghton, Michigan to Rock Harbor or Windigo on Isle Royale. Contact them at:, P.O. Box 366, Houghton, MI 49931, or by calling (906)392-8850 late May to September or (715)526-5103 October through mid-May.
Car:
Vehicles are not permitted on Isle Royale. Visitors park their cars in Houghton, Michigan; Copper Harbor, Michigan; or Grand Portage, Minnesota and ride passenger ferries to the island, or fly with Isle Royale Seaplane Service to the island from Houghton, Michigan.
Public Transportation
Passenger ferries from Houghton, Michigan; Copper Harbor, Michigan; and Grand Portage, Minnesota provide boat access to Isle Royale. Seaplane service is provided from Houghton, Michigan.
Attractions:
Keweenaw National Historical Park
Phone:(800)338-7982
Michigan State Parks
Michigan Technological University
Phone:(906)487-1885
Grand Portage National Monument
Phone:218-387-2788
Minnesota State Parks
Phone: 651-296-6157
Nearby Parks:
Grand Portage National Monument (14 miles)
Keweenaw National Historical Park (11 miles)
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (200 miles)
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Contact Information for Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI
49931-1895
Phone: (906)482-0984
Fax: 906-487-7170
Located in Houghton, MI
For more information on Isle Royale National Park
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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