Isle Royale National Park
Our long-term plan is to visit all the National Parks once we retire. However, since we are still working and we live in MN we are thinking o visiting this NP during the summer of 2014. Has anyone bee...
Forum Discussion
We have been there two times in the mid 1990's. Things have changed somewhat.
First there are many ways to get to IR. The Ranger as mentioned, also you can go by boat from MN or from Copper Harbor on the IRQueen. The IRQueen would transport a small canoe or boat to IR for you at a reasonable price. You can also fly.
We used the IRQueen once and it worked out well. We landed and Rock Harbor, then rented a small aluminum boat to cruise the east side of the island staying at Adirondacks" which are screened lean-tos. This arrangement worked out well. You could not take gasoline on the boats to IR.
The second time we used our boat a 250SR and came from MN and went into Windigo. We cruised around the entire island that time and just scratched the surface of what is there. By the same token, in a couple of days you have seen what is there and then its just enjoying the peace and quiet, going through the woods and picking a few berries and following the trail.
Its a very nice visit, you will see plenty of moose, you will more than likely not see any wolves, because there were very few on the island. The NPS may have imported some wolves, but when we were there the moose were winning the struggle and IR was down to about 20 wolves. The moose are way more dangerous than a bear. They can't see worth beans and can go any where they want knocking down whatever is in the way, We saw one going through the brush and it sounded like a washing machine on a chain being dragged by a truck at high speed.
There are a lot of politics on the island, there have been closures and lots of regulations and some protests. I am not sure what this means practically.
There is a lot of human history on the island. If you have visited more than a few NP, you will realize that every NP etc. is said to be extremely important. It was the least visited NP at one time.
You have to make sure you know the rules, you could get into trouble or get stranded without a place to stay for the night.
Yes, its worth a visit, maybe two.
Good luck.
First there are many ways to get to IR. The Ranger as mentioned, also you can go by boat from MN or from Copper Harbor on the IRQueen. The IRQueen would transport a small canoe or boat to IR for you at a reasonable price. You can also fly.
We used the IRQueen once and it worked out well. We landed and Rock Harbor, then rented a small aluminum boat to cruise the east side of the island staying at Adirondacks" which are screened lean-tos. This arrangement worked out well. You could not take gasoline on the boats to IR.
The second time we used our boat a 250SR and came from MN and went into Windigo. We cruised around the entire island that time and just scratched the surface of what is there. By the same token, in a couple of days you have seen what is there and then its just enjoying the peace and quiet, going through the woods and picking a few berries and following the trail.
Its a very nice visit, you will see plenty of moose, you will more than likely not see any wolves, because there were very few on the island. The NPS may have imported some wolves, but when we were there the moose were winning the struggle and IR was down to about 20 wolves. The moose are way more dangerous than a bear. They can't see worth beans and can go any where they want knocking down whatever is in the way, We saw one going through the brush and it sounded like a washing machine on a chain being dragged by a truck at high speed.
There are a lot of politics on the island, there have been closures and lots of regulations and some protests. I am not sure what this means practically.
There is a lot of human history on the island. If you have visited more than a few NP, you will realize that every NP etc. is said to be extremely important. It was the least visited NP at one time.
You have to make sure you know the rules, you could get into trouble or get stranded without a place to stay for the night.
Yes, its worth a visit, maybe two.
Good luck.
