-: A remote wilderness island in Lake Superior reachable only by ferry or seaplane, known for backcountry hiking and one of the longest-running wolf-moose studies in the world.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

2 days covers a short visit near the ferry dock, while 5 or more lets you properly backpack the island's interior.

No special permit is required for day use; overnight backcountry camping requires a free permit.

Houghton, Michigan and Grand Portage, Minnesota are the two mainland departure points for the ferry.

The entrance fee is $7/person per day, or purchase a National Parks Yearly Pass.

Why Visit?:

Isle Royale is a genuinely remote wilderness island in Lake Superior, reachable only by ferry or seaplane, and home to one of the longest-running wildlife studies in the world — tracking the island's wolf and moose populations since the 1950s. It's consistently one of the least-visited national parks, which means the backcountry solitude here is real, not marketed hype.

Because the park closes completely for the winter, this is a genuinely seasonal destination — plan your visit for summer and expect to commit real time to the ferry crossing alone.

Things to Do:

For a shorter visit, the trails right around Rock Harbor or Windigo (the two main ferry docks) offer a solid taste of the island without a full backpacking commitment. For the full experience, multi-day backpacking along the Greenstone Ridge Trail traverses the length of the island through genuine wilderness.

Wildlife watching is a real highlight here — moose sightings are common, and with patience (and luck), some visitors do hear or even see the island's wolves.

Get the Full Itinerary

Closest airports: Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) in Michigan is closest to the Houghton ferry departure point, though flights are limited — most visitors drive in from a regional hub.

Nearby Attractions:

The Keweenaw Peninsula on the Michigan mainland offers its own scenic Lake Superior shoreline if you're extending the trip before or after your Isle Royale crossing.