Our entry into Isle Royale National Park started with a brief orientation from an NPS ranger who led us through a call and response saying —“Isle Royale is so wild that ___________.” As the anxious backpackers around us shuffled their feet in anticipation, the ranger continued to cover all the necessary safety information about the “Wild Isle.”
I’ve been to many different national parks around the United States (click here to view more!), but I’ve never been to one so rugged with such beautifully preserved wilderness. This park truly gives you a taste of what explorers and early settlers must’ve experienced when traversing the Great Lakes area.
If you decide to visit expect ruggedness, limited utilities, but also undisturbed beauty at its finest.
How To Get There:
Isle Royale is an island out in the middle of Lake Superior. So the only way to get there is by ferry, seaplane or private boat. Due to its accessibility challenges, it’s the least visited park in the lower 48 and it requires some serious advanced planning to visit.
Ferry Options: If you’re planning to visit from Minnesota’s shore, the Voyager II and the Sea Hunter III operate out of Grand Portage, MN (the furthest point on Minnesota’s North Shore). If you’re closer to Michigan, the Ranger III and the Queen IV are your options. You can find the links to reservations here. **Note: Your luggage cannot exceed 40lbs and you will have to pay for parking.
Seaplane Options: Check this website for options from Michigan and Minnesota.
Since my adventure buddies and I make our homes in Minnesota, the choice was easy! We took a scenic drive up Minnesota’s North Shore, spent a night camping at Judge C.R. Magney State Park, and boarded the ferry in Grand Portage early the next morning. The Voyager II and its crew got us safely to Windigo in about two hours. The passengers continuing onto Rock Harbor had an additional four hours onboard. Yikes! That’s a long ferry ride on a VERY rustic vessel.
If the long ferry ride doesn’t seem like a great choice for you, try out one of the seaplane companies! From what we heard from various backpackers, the ride was much shorter (as you can imagine) but the price is around $250 per leg, per person (as you also can imagine). Steeper price, but if you’re planning to head to Rock Harbor it would save you a crazy amount of time.
Although we didn’t take a seaplane to get to the island, we did have a fun seaplane encounter! While canoeing around Washington Harbor, a seaplane landed a few hundred yards from our canoe! We panicked slightly as the plane roared right towards our us and we felt completely stuck with no way to get out of its way….
Check out the video and get ready to laugh!
Windigo Area:
On this primary trip to Isle Royale (did I mention it’s the most re-visited national park?) we decided to focus solely on the Windigo area. However, someday when I get back to the Isle I would really love to head up to Rock Harbor and see the Edisen Fishery and other neat sites.
Alright, so let’s focus on Windigo! Upon arriving at Windigo, you’ll hear the mandatory ranger talk about the island, check in and inform the rangers of the path you’ll be backpacking, how long you’re staying and other safety information. Be prepared with a specific route in mind if backpacking!
If you’re planning to camp in the Washington Creek Campground please know that you’ll have to haul your luggage from the port to the campsite (.3 miles). In the campground are some great screened-in shelters, tent sites and camper cabins that are available for rent. I recommend site #2 if you’re tenting, but honestly every site has a beautiful view. There are no bathrooms (only vault toilets—which were pretty nasty on our visit!) and no potable water within the campground. You’ll be walking back to the main Windigo area for bathrooms, showers and water.
Canoeing/Kayaking:
When planning this adventure, we knew that getting on the water was a priority! We originally had the intent to rent kayaks and kayak all through Washington Harbor and up Washington Creek, but due to a rental problem we were only allowed to rent out a canoe. Not ideal for the four of us, but we made the most of it and had a great time. If you’re looking at doing some canoeing or kayaking, you can visit the camp store for rentals and information.
Hiking:
If you’re not backpacking and plan to stay in the Windigo area, here’s a few hikes I recommend! Grace Creek Overlook was recommended to us by the ranger that checked us in. She said it was her favorite hike in the area—and I can see why she liked it! The trail follows the Feldtmann Lake Trail until a small sign indicates where to turn for the overlook. Along this trail we saw clusters of beautiful Lady Slippers and other pretty flora. The trail is about 3.6 miles round trip and full of roots, rocks and some elevation changes. Minong Ridge Overlook is approximately 6 miles round trip, but offers hikers a chance to view Canada from its pinnacle. Be sure to read through the NPS’ description of this trail because it is considered to be the most difficult trail in the park. Windigo Nature Trail: I loved this little trail! Full of rustic boardwalks, lush ferns and cedar trees, you’ll get a great taste of what the deep woods of the isle feels like. If you’re traveling with kids or people who aren’t ready for the more serious hikes, this 1.2 mile trail is a great option. There’s a huge chance you may see a moose hanging around the area too!
Things to Bring:
- Mosquito Net Hat—you’ll want it, trust me!
- Pemetherin Insect Repellant: Spray your clothes before you go!
- A variety of layered clothing options—the forecast for our trip was low 50s and high 60s BUT when we got there–it was 85!! Don’t trust the forecast. Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures.
- Credit Card—the camp store currently accepts cash but the Visitor’s Center is card only.
- A positive attitude ready for adventure! This island will pull out surprises!
Resources:
- The NPS Website & App: Always helpful! Look here for park updates, closures, warnings etc.
- All Trails: I absolutely love this website for basic trail info.
- Isle Royale National Park Community Facebook Group: This was honestly one of the most helpful resources when planning our trip! Join the group and listen to the wisdom!
- Windigo Area Guide: A really helpful little pamphlet with great info about Windigo.