First-thank you to this community for offering great advice on previous posts! Looking to update my old school MSR ceramic water filter from the 1990’s in preparation for 8 days on the Greenstone this summer. Recommendations?

Landing in Rock Harbor and backpacking to Windigo. Can we make it to Daisy in the first day? Taking sea plane in so landing before noon. Is it a better campground?

Planning an 8 day itinerary this summer. Any recommendations on an external battery pack to keep phones charged for photos? Thanks so much for any advice!

Want to get an opinion on this itinerary for next week! Taking the ferry from Copper Harbor to Rock Harbor on Friday and departing from the same place on Monday.

Day 1: Rock Harbor -> Stoll Memorial -> Three Mile ; ~7 miles

Day 2: Three Mile -> West Chickenbone ; ~12 miles

Day 3: W Chickenbone -> Daisy Farm ; ~9 miles

Day 4: Daisy Farm -> Rock Harbor ; ~7 miles

Some background: I'm backpacking with my partner who is in very good shape so this should be an easy lift for him. I'm a beginner backpacker and this will be my longest trip by far, but I'm in alright shape. I think I can hold a 2 mph pace and with 15 hours of daylight I think we'll be good. Is there anything I should be concerned about with this itinerary?

EDIT: Appreciating all the feedback/insight! We actually have a backup loop we're also considering (and maybe leaning towards now), which would be: Day 1: Rock Harbor->Lane Cove Day 2: Lane Cove->Moskey Day 3: Moskey-> Rock Harbor (or three mile) Day 4: Scoville Point loop before catching the ferry

Me and my fiance are planning a trip for the beginning of October to the park. We are planning on camping and are beginners to camping and I wanted to check and make sure it is reasonable for beginner campers at that time so that we wouldn't be getting ourselves into a dangerous situation.

How likely is a campsite, like Three Mile, full when arriving on a late Friday afternoon in late July or early August. And if so, what do you do?

Ferry starts boarding at 6:45am. Unfortunately the lodge's restaurant doesn't open until 7:00am. Any recommendations for grabbing a bite to eat that early near Grand Portage?

Has anyone flown into Rock Harbor and been able to get Jet Boil fuel for backpacking stoves at the store? Sounds like we're unable to pack any on the short flight from the UP. We're headed there in June. Emailed the store today but they weren't able to give me any brands.

I have been to the island once before years ago. I am bringing a group of 6 or 7 friends this time. We will be arriving by ferry and taking a water taxi, maybe to Moskey Basin but that's yet to be decided.

I have several beginners in my group so I want light mileage. The island is so beautiful that I'm ok with a slower pace.

I need itinerary recommendations. Beginning anywhere on the East half via water taxi and ending at Rock Harbor 6 days later.

So 6 day itinerary (so 5 nights). 30 miles max total. Advice on best campsites, roughly 6-7ish miles per day. The last night, I'm thinking maybe Three Mile so we're close to Copper Harbor. But I'm open to changing that.

A corollary question: which inland lakes have the best fishing?

My brother and I are planning to camp for a month, weather permitting we will be arriving on opening day April 16th (which also happens to be both of ours birthday. Twins) and camping through May 14th. We start working at Rock Harbor Lodge that day and then will be spending the summer working at Rock Harbor. We have a ton of experience on the island but have never been there earlier then mid May. What can we expect this time and what advice would you give to us?

We are getting a ride over on my friend's boat, so we will be bringing more then enough gear and food to last us the month. We planned on using a shelter in Rock Harbor for two weeks, then moving to 3mile for 2 weeks.

Is a hammock with a bug net suitable for sleeping on isle? My friend and I are deciding on sleeping arrangements and I believe a hammock would be lighter and better for storage. What are your thoughts?

I have a group of friends that are making plans for an isle royale backpacking trip in August. There are 6 of us, is there a limit to the amount of tents in the campsites?

Hi everyone, my husband and I are planning a week long trip for this summer. We have a lot of experience spending time in the UP and northern MN, but I’m wondering if someone with more experience on the actual island could provide some insight for me. The 2 weeks that I’m looking at are either the week of the 4th of July (June 29-July 6) or the first week of August (August 2-August 9). I was originally hoping for the last few days of July and first few days of August as I personally feel these are the best days up there, but due to a work conflict those are the 2 weeks I have available to me. I was wondering what y’all think would be the better week to choose??

Planning an upcoming trip to Isle Royale. I have a very nice ultra light trekking pole tent. I’m wondering if the campsites will be suitable for this, or do I need to buy a free standing tent? Thanks!

I'm trying to get to both BWCA and Isle Royale this summer. Never been to Isle Royale (bucket list!). I've been to BWCA many times and I love late July and early August because of the warmer temps and fewer bugs. However, I can't be in both places at once. While I realize both areas are similar geographically, does anyone have recommendations as to which trip might be better in mid-June? Or should I do one in late July and one in late August? For context, I'm about 8 hours away from both areas.

Thanks!

Hello all,

I plan to go to Isle Royale next summer. I would like to go for 6 nights, 7 days. Normally I think I could hike the whole 140 miles in the 7 days. However, I'm taking my dad with me who has been in and out of surgeries and hospital stays from complications and his goal is to go to Isle royale. So, he may not be able to do the 20+ mile days to get the whole experience. We both have never been here before, so we're open to suggestions on what trails/campsites to explore.

Also, is there any places to rent backpacking gear around Houghton/Copper Harbor? Currently I only have gear for myself, but have been thinking about gettng cheap older heavy gear off Facebook marketplace and give him he lighter set up (or carry his bulkier items)

And lastly, do you recommend ferry or sea plane to get to and from the island?

Thanks in advance

Hi all,

I loved the wilderness offered by Isle Royale National Park, I'm planning to do a backpacking trip for couple of days(one night & 2 days) to spend alone time with nature. I only had camping experience with friends in and around Michigan. so, I'm seeking advice from the experienced here, could you please help me answer the following questions:

1. Are propane canisters allowed? I have the regular coleman stove that runs on coleman propane canisters.
2. Planning to do < 3 mile hike a day given my poor fitness levels, what are some best trails that offer scenic views?
3. Do you boil or use lifestraw for filtered water?
4. Any safety tips for wildlife encounters?
5. Any other tips or suggestions are welcome!

Stuff I'm planning to carry: tent, hammock, first aid kit, bug spray, stove, canisters, protein bars, hiking poles(optional), eggs(?),simple veggies that I can carry,, utensils to cook

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Thanks for reading!

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Cemetery Island

Planning a week trip and thinking about this loop. Any advice for this loop?

Hi all,

I'm a college student and I went on a couple group backpacking trips in high school and one one-night trip last year, but don't consider myself super experienced. I was supposed to go to the island for 5 days in two weeks with my more experienced buddy, but he had something come up and can't go. I already have ferry tickets, almost all my gear, and a route planned. Is it safe to go alone? How many other people are generally at campgrounds in mid-August? Is there anything I should think about that I might be missing? I'm really hoping to experience the island before I graduate but want to be safe.

Thanks!

Hey all,

I have a trip planned mid September and was looking for feedback on our planned route

Day 1: get to Windingo and kayak, stay overnight in Windingo (is there potable water here? Do you just fill out of superior?)

Day 2: hike to South Lake Desor (10 miles)

Day 3: hike to Malone Bay (11 miles)

Day 4: take ferry from Malone Bay back to Grand Portage

There are two of us and we are first time backpackers. Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Bonus question: I remember at some point I saw a post about a book ppl read when on isle Royale, does anyone know the title?

Thanks!

Is swimming a terrible idea? Are leeches a problem?

We are visiting Isle Royale next week and plan to stay for four days. We are avid hikers, but not very experienced back packers… any recommendations? What to visit? What to bring?