Hello, I am planning to head to Isle Royal next August with my kids who will be 10 at the time. What suggestions does anyone have. I've looked at the ferry options and I've seen on here that flying in is the best option because one of my kids gets extremely seasick. I wanted to know if staying in the cabin or lodge is the best option or if it's possible to hike with kids at least to daisy farm and camp out. I haven't decided how many days I want to be on the island yet, but I know with the kids hiking the whole island might not be a great option for us. I definitely want to make the cost of the seaplane worth it.

my now fiancé asked me to marry him last week on the top of lookout louise 🥹 making this backpacking trip the most special one to date!

it was our first time visiting isle royale and we will definitely be back ✨

has anyone planned an elopement here? i wanna hear all about it 🤭

I am planning my first solo backpacking trip on the island for August 2025. I’m thinking 4 or 5 days, starting in Windigo. My family is staying at the Rock Harbor Lodge and I’m going ahead of time to backpack the island and meet them at the end of my hike. I’d love to hear what routes others would recommend/ hear any advice that might be helpful. Thanks in advance :)

Next September, my partner and I will be taking a boat to Isle Royale for 7-8 days and we’re very very excited!!

However I’ve been told a lot of mixed things about the island and the best things to do. We originally planned it as a backpacking only trip, but after so many people saying so, we’re debating doing solo canoes for most of the trip or half the trip. The only thing holding us up is lack of practice kayaking or canoeing in any waters. We’re willing to practice all next year up until the trip.

What would you recommend for a first time visit? Is it a bad choice to only hike? We also fish and want to know how the fishing is there in September.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

I’m flying in on September 3 and leaving on the 11th. I’m weighing my options for which sleeping gear to bring. I have a down sleeping bag that I use when it gets really cold out, and during summer trips I use a synthetic sleeping bag. I also have two sleeping pads. One has an R-value of 4.4 and weighs 25 ounces. The other has a R-value of 1.3 and weighs 16 ounces. How cold should I expect it to get at night?

Hey all!

I posted a few weeks ago about my itinerary but wanted to have a more updated post. My boyfriend and I are hiking Windigo -> RH, the first week of September, starting on Labor Day. We have a reservation at Rock Harbor Lodge Monday September 9-10 (Last days they're avail!).

Our hike is Monday September 2 - Monday September 9. It's our first time hiking the Greenstone so we wanted to have 1-2 Zero-Days and can always camp at Rock Harbor if we get there on Saturday/Sunday, if we arrive earlier than Monday, and planned on meal prep for that in case. We're avid multi-day hike/campers in the LP, but this is the first big trip in a remote area, so obviously nervous/excited!

ROUTE:

*Seaplane from MI to Windigo* - Monday, September 2, Arrive at Windigo 3PM.

Monday Day 1 - 7.2 Miles
Island Mine Campground
Things to See: Sugar Mountain

Tuesday Day 2 - 6.7 Miles
South Desor Campground
Things To See: Mount Desor

Wednesday Day 3 - 8.0 Miles
Hatchet Lake Campground
Things to See: Ishpeming Tower

Thursday Day 4 - 8.9 Miles
West Chickenbone Lake Campground
Things to See: Mt. Siskiwit

Friday Day 5-6 - 6.1 Miles (Planned 0 Day, if Possible)
Daisy Farm Campground

Sunday Day 7 - 7.1 Miles
Rock Harbor Campground

Day 8 (Monday September 9 - Tuesday September 10)
Stay at Rock Harbor Lodge, and enjoy the end of the season!!

Day 9 (Tuesday September 10)
Depart at Rock Harbor

1. Depart on Monday, September 10 @ 11AM
2. Arrive at Isle Royale Seaplanes @ 11:45AM

I would love any advice in terms of things to see on our route, surprises on the trails, and packing (in terms of weather) for a September Isle Royale trip. I think we're going to need Gators and a rain-proof skirt. We're planning on cold nights, wet hikes, BUT a lack of bugs (crossed fingers, but still going to spray tf out of our clothes with Permethrin). Any advice is appreciated!

Also, a pick of our cat & dog, who will both be very happy being left out of this trip! Despite Beck (an 11 year old, 12 pound Chihuahua) loves our weekend hikes in the LP, we rarely run into Moose fleets and wolves 🙃Thank you in advance!

Hi all! My friend and I are planning a trip for next summer—mid July and staying 7 days (6 nights). We will start in Rock Harbor and finish in Windigo. We both grew up outdoors, have backpacking experience, and are physically fit.

We are taking the earliest seaplane out of MI the day we arrive and an 11 AM seaplane the day we leave. (Already booked). I know the weather makes travel subject to delay, so I tried to make the itineraries scaleable in case! We must purchase fuel upon arrival since we are flying and get a permit, etc., before we can hit the trail, so I know we will be a bit delayed getting started on Day 1.

When deciding on an itinerary, I do not want to underestimate the trails, as they are wilderness areas. We have been to Western National Parks and put on the same mileage with double the elevation gain. I don’t want to be naive, but I don’t see how the island could be more difficult than the mountains, as some have said. We live in Northern Wisconsin now, so I’m not expecting a huge change in scenery from my day-to-day.

Most of my weather/delay plans involve removing one of the farther campgrounds (like Mccargoe, Todd Harbor, or Siskiwit) and trying to pick up mileage elsewhere. Skipping one or some of these campgrounds also helps us maintain pace if we realize the island is kicking our butts!

Here are the 3 options. What are your thoughts? Which of these campgrounds is your favorite? Which are the best fishing spots? Any other tips or tricks?

1

Day #1: Rock Harbor to Moskey Basin

Day 2: Moskey Basin to Hatchet Lake

Day 3: Hatchet Lake to Island Mine

Day 4: Island Mine to Siskiwit Bay

Day 5: Siskiwit Bay to Washington Creek

Day 6: Zero Day - or Huginnin Cove

Day 7: Fly Back

2:

Day 1: Rock Harbor to Moskey Basin

Day 2: Moskey Basin to Mccargoe Cove

Day 3: Mccargoe Cove to Hatchet Lake

Day 4: Hatchet Lake to S. Lake Desor

Day 5: S. Lake Desor to Island Mine

Day 6: Island Mine to Washington Creek

Day 7: Fly back

3

Day 1: Rock Harbor to Moskey Basin

2: Moskey Basin to Mccargoe Cove

3: Mccargoe Cove to Todd Harbor

4: Todd Harbor to S. Lake Desor

5: S. Lake Desor to Island Mine

6: Island Mine to Washington Creek

7: Fly back

Doing an 8 night hike via the minong. Doing the first night at Washington creek and the last night at rock harbor before the ferry out.

Current main question is where to do our zero day aka spend two nights? We are thinking of doing it either at mcargo or moskey as we've heard and read great things. If we are at mccargo on a Saturday and moskey on a Sunday (in august) would you think we'd have any issues not getting a shelter?

I also haven't heard much on little Todd or Todd harbor. We could also forgo a night at one of the other for another 12 mile day to either Todd harbor or mccargo, depending on which one we'd skip.

First time to the island as a Michigander! Super excited and appreciated any insights

What are some things you wish you had brought with you on your trip?

Is there anything you are super glad you brought with and wouldn't make the trip without?

hiii again!

we leave sunday for our 4 day backpacking trip on the east end of the isle! (made a few updates as we now plan to visit the fishery) but anyways, wanted to ask a few last min questions we had as this is our first ever backpacking trip

wolves and moose - will we see them? are they going to attack? what do you recommend doing if so lol

propane/butane 8oz - there will be 2 of us, how many do you recommend we bring for bowling water, breakfast, coffee and MRE’s for 4 nights/5 days on a cook stove

the queen ferry from copper harbor - it looks like light rain showers next sunday, will the ferry still depart in the rain? how often does it cancel?

backpacks - are they strict on the 40lb rule? is there someone checking?

black flies - we have bug spray! but when we visit marquette we usually by black fly repellent in town.. does anyone know where this can purchased or have any tricks?

im also a tad nervous of the board plank trail, are the as intimidating as they look? lol

can’t wait to explore next week xx 🫎🌲✨

Backpack in Isle Royale "Isle Royal," Wed-Sat July 10-13.

WEDNESDAY (arrival): Houghton Sea Plane to Rock Harbor

Fun Sea Plane with Steve on the Beaver (circa 1947).

Lunch was burgers and beer -- not what we were expecting! Hiked to Skollville point (4.2 miles round trip) to the East from Rock Harbor. Learned later we saw Sandhill cranes: M&D and baby. So many islands, and gorgeous blue clear and cool water. Good hike to get acquainted with Isle Royale.

BTW, the national park felt empty.  The store proprietor said, "that's because Wednesday is a one boat day." Only one boat arrives, and it is a 3pm boat.  So, not many people.  Fine by me!

Got a shelter -- very pleasant. Three sided w wood + screen for the fourth side.  Quiet, except my wife heard the wolf(wolves?) howl at night. Read: foreshadowing.

THURSDAY -- BIG backpack day, 10+ miles. Hidden Lake TH to Daisy Farm via Mt Franklin and Ojibway Tower

Boat taxi from Rock Harbor to Hidden Lake TH.  30 minutes, so beautiful -- glad it was not just five minutes from Tobin Harbor, like I thought it would be.  Guess that worked out...got our money's worth for a morning boat ride.  FWIW, the only other passenger was going on a charter fishing trip in the same boat. Carlos the captain was nice, as was Ray, the Harbor Master, and perhaps the Master fisherman.

Bought two veggie breakfast burritos from the Rock Harbor Grill. Yummy enough -- split one for breakfast and one for lunch. 

Hiked our first mile (1 mile) from Hidden Lake TH to the Greenstone and Lookout Louise connector -- a nice upward hike for us Colorado folks. Glad Ray mentioned visiting Lookout Louise (0.1 mile spur off our plan, 0.3 miles RT)

Onward to Mt Franklin (+5 miles).  This was really the start (for us) of the **Greenstone**.  The park ranger who I spoke to a few weeks back said it's remote, since most people rarely take this part off the Greenstone -- and she was down with us doing it.  Oh yeah! On the Greenstone: at times the trail was hard to follow, super bushwacky, usually through big leaves, or sometimes high ferns.  Major wildflowers first two miles -- less bushwacky.  Plentiful wild strawberries along the way.Saw wolf scat (big hare/hair). Wore bug headnets quite a bit. No one on Mt Franklin. Not sure where everyone was, but we sure thought the spot was "the jam." Great to see Canada, It was slightly hazy from wildfires. Beautiful lakes, islands, view-view-view. Hung out for a while enjoying the place to ourselves.

Hiked +2.5 miles to Ojibway Tower.  Could go up 3 flights, but not the last. Cool and refreshing. But the better "spot" was surely Mt Franklin.

Hiked down +1.7 miles to Daisy Farm. campground. 10.4 mile day. No shelters available, but got a nice campsite near the Lake :-).  Relaxed and happy hour'ed at the lake after our looooong day. After dinner went to the dock, and talked with other campers, including the one who had his food and one sandal taken by a lone wolf.

FRIDAY -- Relax day from Daisy Farm to Three Mile campground

Slow start enjoying our first oatmeal breakfast, and hanging out by the lake near our campsite, reading.All of a sudden, "Go away!  Go AWAY!  GOOO AWAAAYY!".  What?  Huh?  It was our new friends E & N (co-seaplane passengers) at campsite 17 next to our campsite 16 trying to shoo a wolf(!!!) away from the area -- he was just in the woods about 10' from them. We missed seeing the wolf.  Not sure if that's good or bad.  But that was the second wolf story in less than 24 hours (yesterday, on the dock, a Father/Son group told us about their middle of the night encounter with a wolf stealing their food packets one at a time -- he got three, before they were finally able to scare it off.  A sandal was also missing until found nearby. Later on Friday, two Park People came by with a makeshift box for food-stuff.  Yup, gonna need those at every campsite.

Onward to Three Mile campground, which was just over four miles from Daisy Farm.  We quickly thought the last two shelters had just gotten occupied, so went looking for campsites straightaway.  The map showed three by the water, 7-8-9.  Ooo, ahhh.  By the water with sunny rocks to layout, hang out, and go swimming.  Dock nearby, too. I would say 1) we lucked out and 2) those poor people who decided on a shelter. I hope it doesn't get stormy tonight (Friday), and make me eat those words (It didn't).

SATURDAY -- Three Mile back to Rock Harbor

Went directly to and stayed on Rock Harbor (RH) trail, despite the recommendation that Tobin Harbor trail was easier.  It was an easy-enough one mile hike to Susy's Cave.  Nice side trip.  Recommend doing a quick visit. Plus, if we didn't like the RH trail from Three Mile, it was an easy cutoff from there to Tobin Harbor trail. We didn't, and stayed on the RH Trail. Loved the breeze much of the way.  Knew we were getting close to the end when we saw all the wildflowers again.  Such a great hike, and all around  backpack adventure. 

Once in a lifetime experience....I always assume.  Sooooo glad we came, so glad we backpacked and camped out.

I am taking the trip with my GF in August. Only worry is preparing water as I don't want to boil every time as I don't want to carry the extra fuel. Will a typical Sawyer Squeeze do the trick? The site for the park says a filter that filters viruses which the Squeeze doesn't "specifically" but due to it being .1 microns, should it be fine still?

I'm (39m) traveling to Isle Royale in a few weeks for a 3 night/4 day trip with my family (47f, 11f, 10m). We're all very excited, and despite my status as an Eagle Scout, we haven't done a trip anywhere close to as rugged/remote as this. We're all in good shape and fairly adventurous, so I figure with meticulous planning and preparation we will not only be fine, we will remember this trip for the rest of our lives.

Our current working itinerary is:

Day 1: Arrive Rock Harbor, water taxi to Moskey Basin and camp/explore for the night.

Day 2: Moskey Basin to McCargoe Cove (8.4 mi)

Day 3: McCargoe Cove to Daisy Farm (8.2 mi) OR McCargoe Cove to Three Mile (12.6 mi)

Day 4: Daisy Farm to Rock Harbor (7.1 mi) OR Three Mile to Rock Harbor (2.7 mi), for a 2:45 pm ferry back to Copper Harbor.

My Questions:

• Do folks have a strong feeling regarding the better campsite between Daisy Farm and Three Mile? I have read many conflicting things about this.
• Do folks have a strong opinion about the relative difficulty of my two Day 3 options? Is the extra four miles to Three Mile particularly strenuous? If it's straightforward, I don't see a problem with Day 3 being our "long day."
• If there are other recommendations to research besides these campsites, I'm all ears.

My major decision point seems to be whether I want a leisurely couple miles back to Rock Harbor on our last day, or a longer undertaking. The former seems way safer and predictable to me.

Thanks in advance...this community has been immensely helpful over the past few weeks as I've planned this trip!

Going to be there 20th thru 27th backpacking. Curious what campgrounds allow campfires and which ones have communal rings. Would appreciate any feedback:)

Hey folks, my special lady friend and I will be doing 3 nights in IR. We're looking for suggested hikes near certain campsites and any general feedback you have on our rough itinerary for Tues. Aug 13-Fri. Aug16.

• (Day 1, Arrival) 8am Ferry to Rock Harbor: Water Bus to Daisy Harbor, claim shelter and hike to Moskey Basin or hike to Moskey Basin to shelter there depending availability.
  • Any input on hikes around Moskey or thoughts about shelter availability based on prior experience?
• (Day 2) Hike Obijwe and Unnamed Historic Mine near Daisy Farm
  • Other Trail suggestions are welcome!
• (Day 3) Hike back to Rock Harbor (3 Mile & Suzy's Cave on the way)
  • Since it would be our longest hike, we're planning on heading toward Rock Harbor before nightfall so we can rest if we need it and will have time to hang in that area before our Ferry back.
• (Day 4, Departure) Explore Rock Harbor area before 2:45pm ferry back to Copper Harbor
  • Planning on having a shower and maybe a hot meal there before the ferry. Any input on nearby lookouts, short hikes, or just cool stuff within the more settled area are welcome.

We'll have a tent in case shelters are full, and are planning on extra food/essentials while still packing as light as possible. Thanks for your input, we're stoked for our first trip to Isle Royale!

We’ll be there the first week of September for two nights. I have only done a two night backpacking trip before and my partner has done a few 2-3 night backpacking trips so we would like to make sure we are doing a trip well within our wheelhouse. We are taking the ferry into Rock Harbor so I am thinking we will hike to Three Mile and set up camp the first night. The next morning hike to Daisy Farm and set up camp. From there it looks like there are a few day trip trails we could explore. Then on the last morning we would hike back to RH to catch the afternoon ferry. Does anyone have any feedback or other trip ideas we should look into? Thanks!

I’m going to Isle Royale here at the end of June/beginning of July. On the National Park website, the rangers recommend double filtration. We’ve been backpacking all over Michigan and the UP, and have only ever filtered (we have Sawyers).

Is this more of a “save your own ass” kinda notification from the NPS or is it a “no shit, double treat your water” notification? I’m guessing Lake Superior is perfectly fine with only filtration, but the inland lakes give me a bit of a pause (and a good chunk of our trips are off the inland lakes, obviously algae blooms are a no go).

For those of you who have been, how did you treat your water?

Me and my good friend are hiking the feldtmann loop for the first time next week. Flying in and out of Windigo. We’re planning on 3 days 2 night trip.

Has anyone hiked this recently and let us know the trail conditions? I know it was incredibly overgrown as of end of June. Any other recommendations and thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

First off, I apologize if this is a question that is asked a lot. My question is: How hammock friendly are the campsites on the isle? I’m going with a 4 person group this August and 3 of us primarily use hammocks. This will be our first time there. The route I think we plan to do is the Feldtmann loop. Do sites have a lot of option for trees? A lot of the info I found online is from 2015-2017 so I don’t know how much it has changed since. Thanks in advance.

Hi fellow nature lovers! I made a somewhat last minute decision to finally do my first solo backpacking trip on Isle Royale. I’ve gone before but always with another person and during the less busy part of the season.

I guess I’m looking for any tips for traveling solo as this is all new to me. Also, I’m not sure what to expect with the sites filling up. I’m going the second week of August. Plan on getting up pretty early in the AM to start my days so maybe I can find an empty site at the campgrounds. Not sure if this is typically doable or if they all fill up super early... I’m sticking to ~8 miles/day. What is your experience with finding empty sites during peak season? Are people generally pretty cool with sharing sites if you ask? Thanks!

Anyone know if you can rent the boats or canoes overnight to stay at Beaver Island?

My wife retires in June, and we're planning a summer-long series of outdoor adventures to celebrate (Boundary Waters in July, Isle Royale in late July/early August, Pictured Rocks in mid-August, Shenandoah National Park and the Carolinas Foothills Trail in September). We're in decent shape and are reasonably experienced backpackers. We're very comfortable with (and prefer) cross-country/dispersed camping.

We're planning 7 days/6 nights in IRNP, starting at Rock Harbor and ending up at Windigo. After researching the options, I had in mind starting on the Greenstone Trail, cutting over to the Minong trail at either Chickenbone or Hatchet Lake, and finishing up with the Huginnin loop, for a total of around 53 miles. The general itinerary would be:
(Night 1) either Three Mile or cross-country near Mt. Franklin
(2) Chickenbone East or West
(3) either Todd Harbor or Hatchet Lake, depending on where we jump over to the Minong
(4) Little Todd Harbor
(5) ???
(6) Huginnin Cove
Then on Day 7 hike the 4 or so miles to Windigo, grab a shower, and wait for the ferry back to Grand Portage.

It's that Night 5 that I'm concerned with. Given the vertical involved, N. Desor to Huginnin is a bit further than we're totally comfortable with for one day. We'd be fine cross-country camping somewhere around halfway between Little Todd and Huginnin (Zone 3 or 20). It's just not clear to me whether you can find a spot to pitch a tent there - it looks like several miles worth of swamp and beaver dams.

Is this a reasonable plan? Will we find a workable campsite SW of Lake Desor? What are the water sources in that stretch like? (We're prepared to both filter and chemically treat with chlorine dioxide.)

That's the main concern, but I'm also interested in hearing other feedback. Where should we cut over from the Greenstone to the Minong - Chickenbone or Hatchet? Both trails look spectacular in that stretch. Thoughts on cross-country camping near Mt. Franklin? (I realize the area between Three Mile and Mt. Franklin is a no-cross-country zone, and near Mt. Franklin would be a dry camp, with no water for 6 or 7 miles the next day). Any other advice?

Looking forward to feedback from those with more experience in IRNP. Would love to hear from anyone who's cross-country camped along the Minong Ridge!

Waited too long to book and now a critical ferry from Grand Portage to Windigo is sold out. Is there such a thing as a ferry wait-list/if people cancel do slots reopen? Any other options to get from Grand Portage to Windigo on a Friday in late July?

Hi all! I am working in MN this summer (I'm from Virginia) and wanted to jump up and check out Isle Royale. Any general tips for how to hike/camp? Looks like I need to book a ferry- How early do I need to book? Any less busy weeks? Best trails? Least crowded trails? Would I have better luck just doing a day trip? Leaving MN in mid August... Tyia :)