Isle Royale National Park

[klr650goldwing]

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 been there? Can you offer suggestions? Where to camp, things to do etc. Thanks,

[klr650goldwing]

Thanks everyone. That helps us make appropriate plans.

[John_M1]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
There is a campground near the Indian Casino and the tickets for the crossing are sold at the marina across from the campground. I don't remember if there were hookups or not. I'll try and find the journal and give more info later.

That campground does have hookups. It is pretty much just an open field with a loop road with campsites around it. It is about the only campground (other than REAL camping with tents and backpacks) in that area. Grand Marais has a nice Municipal campground, but it's about 30 miles south of the ferry at Grand Portage.
We had planned to go to Isle Royale last summer, but plans fell through. At that time, the ferry from Grand Portage was running, and I assume it will again this summer.

[Tom_Barb]

The Ranger's name is Richard Moore, he has a FB page, I'm sure he would talk to you about his park.

He's a long time friend.

[D_E_Bishop]

We were there two years ago but only for a day. We got the last ferry for the season from the West and had to return that same day. We do not backpack and our rig was back on the mainland at Grand Portage. We did explore and the Rangers gave several talks and opened the NPS visitors center and store for about three hours. It is a beautiful quiet place and while there are trails and a few camping areas it is pretty much untouched.

The moose were introduced by mother nature when Lake Superior froze around the island creating a land bridge, a few years later it froze again and the wolves came across then. There has been a constant study of the moose and wolf population sine the 60's I believe. The NPS has not interfered with the population since it was discovered and it is now in decline for both the moose and the wolves. One theory is that the lack of new blood has caused the decline. There is at least one group of scientists from a MN college that spends the summer there and had left the day before we arrived.

I would like to go back during the summer and spend a couple of days in the cabins if possible. The end of September is not a good time to visit. We lucked out and the lake was as smooth as glass for both trips but it can be a very rough crossing.

There is a campground near the Indian Casino and the tickets for the crossing are sold at the marina across from the campground. I don't remember if there were hookups or not. I'll try and find the journal and give more info later.

[Jim_Shoe]

From what I've read, the only full time population is made up of wolves and moose. No cars, backpacking only. So my question is, can you outrun a moose being chased by a wolf? Or at least outrun your spouse?
Just me, but I probably wouldn't make that the first stop on my tour of National Parks. There are several mooses (or is it meese?) in Grand Teton NP and you can see them from the safety of a car.

[Oldtymeflyr]

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.

[robbiesgram]

Have been to Isle Royal twice. It is a wilderness area, so almost everything is primitive, it is a hiking/backpacking park only. There is a small hotel/restaurant on the north end, with a visitor's center. There are 2 or 3 boat tours you can take.

Absolutely no pets allowed.

As previously stated, you have to take a ferry from Houghton MI, so no vehicles can be brought in. If you have a canoe or small boat, you can bring it with you on the ferry. This park is pretty much foot power only. There was a ferry from Grand Portage, MN that stopped at the south end, but I'm not sure it is still running.

If you are interested in visiting Isle Royale, I would suggest checking out the website, then if you still have questions, I would call them.

It is a beautiful place to visit, I really enjoyed visiting it, but I was also 15 years younger.

[sch911]

You'll have to take the Ranger III ferry out of Houghton, Mi and leave your RV behind. So concentrate your search near there. This is one such CG near downtown Houghton. I seen it and it looks pretty nice, but I've never stayed there. Good Luck.