Departing From Michigan
- Step 1: Travel to Houghton, Michigan. Vehicle: Houghton is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
- Step 2: Travel to Houghton Transportation Departure Location. Ferry: Ranger III serviced at the Park’s Mainland Headquarters located at 800 E.
- Step 3: Arrive at Isle Royale National Park.
How long is the boat ride to Isle Royale from Michigan?
three hours
Throughout the season the ship’s schedule varies; it typically operates from early May through the end of September. The Isle Royale Queen IV departs Copper Harbor, Michigan at 8:00 am EDT and takes a little over three hours to arrive at Rock Harbor.
What is the best way to get to Isle Royale?
As a collection of islands, Isle Royale can only be accessed by crossing Lake Superior via a boat or seaplane. Most visitors to the park utilize ferry or seaplane services from Michigan or Minnesota. Private boaters and private seaplanes travel from around Lake Superior and beyond.
How far is Isle Royale from main land Michigan?
56 miles
Isle Royale is 56 miles from the Michigan mainland, 18 miles from Minnesota’s shore, 2 hours or 22 miles from Grand Portage. Airports: Houghton, Michigan and Duluth, Minnesota.
How do I get from Detroit to Isle Royale?
There is no direct connection from Detroit to Isle Royale National Park. However, you can take the line 8 bus to Walker at Division, take the walk to Windsor airport, fly to Thunder Bay, then take the travel to Isle Royale National Park.
How much does it cost to go to Isle Royale?
Entrance Fee Basics
The park charges a $7 per person daily entrance fee to enter or remain within the park per calendar day.
Is Isle Royale worth visiting?
Isle Royale National Park is beautiful and wondrous – but only attracts just more than 18,000 people per year. Isle Royale National Park is one of the most beautiful and wondrous places in the United States, let alone the state of Michigan. Now if only people would actually go experience it.
How many days do you need in Isle Royale?
Most hikers make the journey in 3 to 5 days. Don’t Opt for a Day Visit: Although one-day visits are possible, you really need a longer stay to get a true Isle Royale experience. Because of the ferry schedules, a one-day visitor must sandwich a couple of hours of sight-seeing between boat arrival and departure.
What is the best time to visit Isle Royale?
Best Times To Go
If you wish to swim and boat, July and August are best for warmer water but the bugs may be worse. We heard from a local that the Northern Lights are more likely to occur during those months however it can be as late as 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.
Can you stay overnight on Isle Royale?
A: No, canoe, kayak, or motorboat reservations need to be made in person while you are at Isle Royale. Rentals are weather dependent and available half or full days. Overnight rentals are not offered.
Can you go to Isle Royale for a day?
Is it possible to see the park in one day? It is possible to visit Isle Royale for a day trip using the Seahunter III from Grand Portage, Minnesota, the Isle Royale Queen IV from Copper Harbor, Michigan, or the Isle Royale Seaplanes service from Hancock, Michigan or Grand Marais, Minnesota.
Can you drive in Isle Royale National Park?
Driving to Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale is an island in the middle of Lake Superior. There are NO real roads on the islands so there is no driving to the park but you can drive to the ferry or seaplane ports in Michigan or Minnesota.
What is so special about Isle Royale?
Isle Royale’s unique ecosystem led to it being designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. These isolated islands have only 19 mammal species, compared to over 40 found on the surrounding mainland. Some species have come and gone, often due to human influences.
Can you see the Northern Lights from Isle Royale?
Isle Royale is one of the best national parks for summer viewing of the northern lights. The lights are most commonly seen in April, May and October but they do occur all summer long if the solar conditions are right.
Are there waterfalls on Isle Royale?
After leaving the Feldtmann Lake campground on the way up to the ridge. About 1/2 mile south (off to the right) of the trail just before the Feldtmann Lake over look there is a series of waterfalls. By the time the water reaches the trail below it is more of a swamp than an actual stream.
Is there anything on Isle Royale?
Isle Royale is home to 3 lighthouses: Rock Harbor Light, Menagerie Island Light , and Passage Island Light . The brick and stone lighthouse on Isle Royale’s Rock Harbor forms a beloved landmark, its white tower and black lantern rising above the rugged shoreline and surrounding pine trees.
How long is the ferry ride from Minnesota to Isle Royale?
Voyageur II travel time: 2 hours. Sea Hunter III travel time: 1.5 hours. Continue to Rock Harbor via Voyageur II or seaplane from Windigo. Voyageur II travel time: 5 hours.
Are there bears in Isle Royale?
The island now is devoid of these creatures, having given way to other species. The island was once called Minong by past cultures, which translated means “a good place to pick berries” . Why haven’t black bear found their way to this place? There are also no raccoon on Isle Royale.
Is there a ferry from Michigan to Minnesota?
Highway US-10 connects the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota by means of ferrying 60 miles across Lake Michigan. US-10 is one of only two United States highways utilizing a ferry service connection.
Do any people live on Isle Royale?
Today, it has no permanent inhabitants; the small communities of Scandinavian fishermen were removed by the United States National Park Service after the island became a national park in the 1940s.
Are there snakes on Isle Royale?
Only two species of snake occupy the island, the northern red-bellied snake and common garter snake. Although common garter snakes are indeed common and regularly observed, the small, copper-brown colored northern red-bellied snakes are easily overlooked.