Isle Royale

Your Guide to Isle Royale National Park www.nps.gov/isro National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Minong, the Good Place Not a day goes by that I don’t look to the east from Grand Portage, my eyes searching for the familiar low outline on the horizon; and wonder how soon before I am able to visit yet again. Named Minong, or “the good place” by our Ojibway ancestors, this vast cluster of islands continues to be a part of our cultural heritage The sinew that binds us all to Minong is a deep respect and gratitude for this remarkable environment. With the acknowledgment in 2019 of Isle Royale as a Traditional Cultural Property of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the islands now loom much closer than the actual sixteen nautical miles from our northern shore. This designation becomes tinder for our imaginations; beckoning us to connect with the past and to craft new relationships with those who are its current keepers. Through thousands and thousands of years it has always been hard to get to Minong. For our ancestors, land rich in resources offered the promise of copper, food, and medicine which outweighed any hardship. Today’s visitors seek other rewards. Whether you arrive by water, air, or as did my greatgrandfather, by dogsled over a frozen bridge of ice, the feeling upon landing remains much the same. Whether new acquaintance or old friend, “The Good Place” embraces you and invites you in. Rick Anderson Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Welcome to Isle Royale National Park A dear friend of mine had a theory about National Park Service employees. He believed that they imprint on the place they most closely identify with— oftentimes their "first" park. Much like first love, he’d say, in terms of depth of feeling and passion. While that was certainly true for him, I have had a series of loving relationships with the amazing places where I have been privileged to live and work. Last fall I began my acquaintance with “the island” and I am excited to deepen that rapport. As I write, it has been snowing here on the Keweenaw Peninsula for days. When not working or skiing, I am preparing for the summer season and for moving to the island. Winter nights offer plenty of time to pore over maps and routes and read stories of island life. Boats, paddles, and life jackets have been bought; our fishing poles found. Here’s to a wonderful new relationship with Minong! Whether you are a first-time visitor or have generational ties to the island, I look forward to learning about your connections to this special place as I continue to develop my own. Denice Swanke, Superintendent Printing courtesy of Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association. Treasured Island............................................2-3 Paddling, Diving, Fishing.................................9 Know Before You Go.........................................4 Visitor Centers, Programs, Lodging...............10 Printed by Christensen Printing & Publishing on recycled paper using agri-based inks. Protect Your Park..............................................5 Transportation...............................................11 Map, Campgrounds, Trails............................6-7 Contacts, Fees, Park Store..............................12 Please recycle. Camping, Boating..............................................8 Treasured Island One of the privileges of being an Isle Royale ranger is greeting the familiar faces of returning visitors. The island has an intimacy that holds people close. A first visit is rarely a last. For some, like these island devotees, Isle Royale’s landscape and waterscape soak into their identity. Share in their stories and deepen your connections to place. Maintaining Memories From the time before I could walk Isle Royale has been a part of my life. My father was raised there. My grandfather was raised there. My great-grandfather and greatgrandmother immigrated from Norway to commercially fish on the island. During my childhood, my father worked in Duluth and every summer he would pack my mother, my sisters and myself into Picnic—our family boat. We would spend a month traveling around the island: camping and visiting friends at Crystal Cove, Edisen Fishery, Fisherman’s Home, and with family in Washington Harbor. Some of the best days of my life have been spent cruising in Picnic. Picnic is a 24-foot open wooden boat built in 1949. In 1980 my dad stepped through the bottom of Picnic…and passed it down to me. Little did I know what a learning process owning a wood boat would be. In past years, I have assisted the park by restoring other old boats from around the island. While working on these boats, I felt connected to those who sailed them—in treacherous rough waters and on glorious calm seas. Restoring vessels preserves these memories for others to experience. Picnic will be ready this summer to return to the island. Once again, she’ll make her home port at Washington Island, where I’ll be working on preserving dwellings that have been part of my family’s story since 1890, plus other buildings around the harbor that are part of Isle Royale’s legacy. Once again she’ll ply the waters reliving memories and making new ones. It has been my sincere privilege and honor to be part of the preservation of history, and I feel truly blessed and thankful for these opportunities. Jeff Sivertson Forging a Superior Friendship August 30, 1982, my husband and I arrived in Grand Portage to board a charter boat bound for the park. The wilderness island is renown as a backpacking, kayaking, fishing paradise. Our goal was different, Isle Royale’s sunken treasures—shipwrecks! That trip opened up a whole new world for us. A few years later I would board the charter boat Superior Diver, but not as a passenger. I was now her Captain. The island had reeled me in…hook, line, and sinker. Early on, most of my time was spent on or in the water, a slightly different perspective than many. I was often looking back at the island. Taking in sheer rocky cliffs, inlets and bays, lighthouses—stunning scenery everywhere. But, below the surface there was much to see as well. A Ford Model T aboard the steamship America, a glass jug of curdled milk in the freighter Emperor’s galley, a pocket watch among the wreckage of Glenlyon, and even a perfume bottle on the passenger steamer George M. Cox. I vividly remember our first dive on the Congdon stern. The most amazing sight was a perfect ruffled milk glass light fixture with an intact bulb. Next to it was the shattered wall of the galley. How was that even possible? When back on our boat, Ron and I looked at each other and both exclaimed “Wow! Did you see that?” Yes, I have hundreds of dives on Isle Royale shipwrecks, yet I have never tired of them. As we pull up to a dive site, gear up, and head down; I feel like I am greeting an old friend who still has so much more to share with me. Captain Jacqueline Polomski 2 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2021 Finding Safe Harbor Special places can be, like no other, the anchorage one needs to weather the worst storms—storms with the power to threaten your very existence. While I’ve had the distinct fortune to study wolves and moose on Isle Royale for more than two decades, the lesson in this shared story is relevant to all. A few years back I was diagnosed with stage-four cancer. Surviving the prognosis and the treatment, required strength and serenity marshalled from every resource available, within and without. Common advice for those in my lot includes meditating—as intensely as possible—on a place that commands strength and serenity. For me, that place is Isle Royale’s Washington Harbor, always calmer and safer than the vast waters of Lake Superior. I conjured the rejuvenating, early morning light on wisps of fog over the water and up into the trees. Cool air in the nostrils. Eyes closed, absorb the gentleness, the serenity; it is ethereal. A raven calls. Now, I am a cancer survivor. I was fortunate to have a special connection to a particular place before I knew how important that connection would become. The national parks enrich us in ways not easy to anticipate. All one has to do is be open to the places we experience. Leah Vucetich Cherish Your Connections In an uncertain and changing world, national parks provide places of refuge and renewal. Our connections to these special places sustain and nurture us. Though protected as a national park and a federally-designated wilderness, Isle Royale will also find refuge in you. Only with shared commitment and passion will Isle Royale Stay Wild. Do you suffer from Island Topophilia? Signs and Symptoms • • • • • • Spending hours poring over maps planning your next adventure Referring to “the island” and not specifying Isle Royale Hearing the white-throated sparrow’s song in your sleep Ability to pronounce “amygdaloid” Checking webcams daily Devoting the winter to dreaming of your park There is no known cure for Island Topophilia...but that’s not really a bad thing, is it? Join the community of Isle Royale enthusiasts and share your own signs and symptoms at www.facebook.com/isleroyalenps. 2021 – Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park 3 Know Before You Go 4 Lake Superior and the island’s wilderness present challenges and hazards to the inexperienced or ill-prepared. Keep a conservative trip plan. Be self-sufficient. Bring more than you need in case of unexpected delays. Bring a first aid kit, a supply of any needed medications, and clothing appropriate for the time of year and planned activities. Wilderness is not Immune to COVID-19 Drinking Water Face masks are required in buildings and outdoors when social distance cannot be maintainced. This includes docks and campgrounds. Potable water is only available in Rock Harbor and Windigo. Early and late season visitors should plan for no potable water anywhere on-island. Social distance from those not in your party. Lake Superior and interior park waters should be considered non-potable. Practice backcountry hygiene. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Use soap at least 50 steps awayfrom any water source. Emergencies Basic emergency services are available on the island, but contacting rangers can be difficult. Emergency response and evacuation take time, requiring you to rely on your own skills and equipment. Most private boaters have radios and may be able to contact rangers in an emergency. Cell phone service is unreliable; do not depend on it. Purify Water: Use one of these methods: • Physical Purifier: Use one that is rated to remove viruses • Water Filter (0.4 microns or finer) + Chemical Treatment Use tablets or bleach • Water Filter (0.4 microns or finer) + UV Treatment Use a UV purifier • Boil: At a rolling boil for at least one minute To contact the park in an emergency: 440-546-5945 Play it Safe Watch the Weather On the Trail Weather and lake conditions can deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly. Fog and waves can create dangerous conditions for boaters and paddlers. Watch Your Step! The footing is often uneven. Roots and rocks can trip the unwary hiker. When wet, trails are muddy; roots, rocks, and boardwalks are extremely slippery. Hypothermia can occur any time, especially near Lake Superior. Best defense: Stay warm and dry. Dress in layers and don raingear before you get wet. Shivering, apathy, and coordination loss indicate mild hypothermia. If someone shows these signs, warm and dry the person, add more layers, climb in a sleeping bag, and sip warm liquids. Dehydration Drink plenty of water. When dehydrated, you tire more quickly, do not think clearly, and are more prone to fall. Dehydration is a factor in most medical problems experienced in the park. Water is scarce between campgrounds, especially along ridges. Carry a minimum two quarts of water per person; drink and refill whenever near water sources. In hot weather start hiking early and travel at a slower pace. In cold weather dehydration occurs as people do not feel thirsty and drink less. Watch for mild signs of dehydration: thirst, fatigue, headache, and dizziness. Severe dehydration includes: nausea and reduced or no sweating. Stay on the Path: As you travel, you may encounter obstructions. Go over or under downed trees, through puddles and mud. Skirting obstructions widens or creates new trails, impacting habitat. Wheeled vehicles (except for non-motorized wheelchairs) or other mechanical transportation are not allowed outside developed areas at Rock Harbor and Windigo. This includes bicycles and portaging devices. Plan Conservatively: Many people underestimate hiking travel times and overestimate their abilities. Plan shorter, realistic travel days; don’t turn your wilderness experience into a forced march. Be Kind to Your Feet: Wear sturdy, well-broken-in boots. Address hot spots and small blisters right away, before they become problems. Pamper your feet after hiking: Soak them in a lake and wear comfy shoes in camp. Toxic Water Alert Algal blooms have occurred in interior lakes. Blue-green algae can be toxic and purifying does not remove toxins from the water. Avoid drinking, swimming, and fishing if water has a cloudy blue cast or looks like “pea soup.” If algal blooms occur, advisories will be posted. Share the Space Show Respect. Observe, photograph, and enjoy park wildlife from a safe and respectful distance. If an animal changes its behavior, you are too close. It is illegal to feed, touch, tease, or intentionally disturb wildlife, their homes, nests, or activities. Loons are especially susceptible to disturbance, and may abandon their shoreline nests when approached too closely. From May through July 15 (loon nesting season) visitors must stay at least 150' away from small islands and from nests along the shore. If a loon cries out, you are too close. Moose are large and potentially dangerous animals. Always give them wide berth. If you encounter a moose, step behind a tree and wait for the moose to move on. Throughout the spring and summer, female moose are rearing young and are very protective. Never get between a cow and her calf. During fall rut, bull moose are often aggressive. Wolves are rarely encountered. Respect them by keeping your distance and ending any encounters quickly. Report wolf sightings to a ranger. Insects Expect mosquitos and black flies to peak in June or July. During wet summers, mosquitos continue into August. Bring repellent, netting, or other skin barriers. Dry summers often result in an abundance of wasps. Bring an epinephrine kit if allergic to stings. 4 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2021 Pets Dogs, cats, and other mammals are not allowed, including pets on boats within park boundaries, which extend 4.5 miles into Lake Superior from the outermost land areas of the park. Visitors bringing pets to the park will be required to leave immediately. Pets disturb wildlife and can transmit diseases. Special conditions apply to service dogs. Visit www.nps.gov/isro/ planyourvisit/service-dogs.htm. Protect Your Park Minimize your impact to protect the park’s wilderness character for use and enjoyment by all. Help Isle Royale Stay Wild Adventure, simple living, and solitude are important components of an Isle Royale visit. To ensure these experiences, visitors should be familiar with skills and habits that foster a Leave No Trace ethic. Visit www.lnt.org. Leave What You Find Removing, possessing, or disturbing park resources is prohibited. Antlers, plants, driftwood, cultural or archeological objects, rocks/minerals including those in Lake Superior must be left where found. Fishing and picking small quantities of berries/mushrooms for consumption are allowed. Graffiti and the building of cairns (rock piles) mars the park for other visitors. Leave the park as you find it. Quiet, Please Most visitors come to Isle Royale to hear the sounds of nature in a wild setting. Be aware of your volume so others may enjoy peace and solitude. 5 Park Regulations The regulations of Isle Royale National Park are intended to protect park resources and appropriate visitor experiences. Regulations place strong emphasis on preserving wilderness character and values. Visitors are responsible for adhering to park regulations. For detailed information on park regulations visit www.nps.gov/isro/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm. No Drone Zone: Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on lands and waters of the park is prohibited. Weapons, Traps, & Nets: The use or possession of weapons, traps, and nets is prohibited. Weapons include any implements designed to discharge a projectile or missile in the air or water and include slingshots, blowguns, and bows and arrows. Fireworks are prohibited. Exception: Possession of firearms within the park is regulated by Michigan law. The discharge of firearms within park boundaries is prohibited. Marijuana Prohibited: While recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in many states, marijuana remains illegal on federal lands including Isle Royale National Park. Quiet Hours are between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am eastern time. If people in adjacent campsites can hear your activities, you are being too loud. Zebra Mussels Not Welcome Audible use of electronic devices such as stereos, televisions, radios, cellphones, and tablets is not permitted except in the developed areas of Rock Harbor and Windigo, and in Lake Superior waters outside of designated quiet/no wake zones. Portable Generators are prohibited in most areas of the park. Minimize Use of Fires Campfires are permitted at a handful of campgrounds (see page 6). A backpacking stove is highly recommended. A metal fire ring or grate is provided where campfires are allowed; never build your own ring. Use Dead and Down Wood no bigger around than your wrist. Do not break branches or strip bark from standing trees, live or dead. Trash has no place in a backcountry fire. Do not import firewood; insects and pathogens from infected wood could devastate Isle Royale’s forests. Surprise!!! 3000 of my best friends are here to par-teee! Be Safe With Fire: Keep your fire small and burn down to ash; be sure the fire is completely out before leaving it. These plankton platters are deeelish! Keep the Island Clean Practice Proper Food Storage: Keep a clean camp. To protect your food from wildlife seal it in scent-proof containers and secure. Hard-sided containers are preferred, but using doubled zip-lock bags is appropriate. Animals will steal unattended food and other items. Trash: All trash and leftover food (including peels, cores, and nutshells) must be packed out. Trash and food scraps must not be burned, buried, or placed in outhouses. Carry a zip-lock bag for securing small pieces of trash. Human Waste Disposal: Use outhouses. Never defecate within 100' (at least 50 steps) of lakes, streams, or campsites. In areas without outhouses, dig a cathole 6" to 8" deep; after use, cover with soil. Urinate on durable surfaces, like rocks or bare soil, away from water sources and campsites. Cookware Cleaning: Wash dishes at least 100' from water sources and campsites. Even biodegradable soap take a long time to degrade. Use a strainer to remove food bits and pack them out with your trash. Disperse remaining water away from water sources and campsites. Ah, Snap! We've been plucked and captured! Bathing: Get wet, then move at least 100' away from all water sources and campsites to lather and rinse. Use soap sparingly, if necessary. Going my way? Just waiting for a boot so I can spread my 100,000 seeds down your trails... Bull Thistles are Bullies Bull thistle is agressively invasive, spreading along trails ever further into wilderness. The park monitors, maps, and tries to remove this and other target species that outcompete native island plants. In 2018 several thousand invasive zebra mussels were removed from Isle Royale docks. Due to park removal efforts, fewer were found in 2019. But our work to prevent the spread is ongoing. What Can You Do? Clean Before Arrival • Boots, gear, and vessels must be clean and free of plants, fish, animals, dirt, and mud. Clean During Your Trip • After filtering Lake Superior water, change or clean your water filter before using it inland. • Non-motorized vessels and fishing gear must be cleaned appropriately if moving inland. Report • Report sightings of any invasives to a ranger. 2021 – Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park 5 6 Voyageur II During its clockwise circumnavigation, Voyageur II provides drop-off and pick-up services at several locations. See page 11. Voyageur II Grand Portage, MN, to Windigo 22mi/35km 2 hours one-way Minong Trail Closure Huginnin Cove Junction to Hatchet Lake Junction Opening June 15, 2021 Sea Hunter III Grand Portage, MN, to Windigo 22mi/35km 1.5 hours one-way Seaplane Hancock, MI, to Windigo 61mi/98km 35-45 minutes one-way Beaver Island 3 Belle Isle 5 Birch Island 3 Caribou Island 3 Chickenbone E 2 Chickenbone W 2 Chippewa Harbor 3 Daisy Farm 3 Desor N 2 Desor S 2 Duncan Bay 3 Duncan Narrows 3 Feldtmann Lake 2 Grace Island 3 Hatchet Lake 2 Hay Bay 3 Huginnin Cove 3 Intermediate Lake 2 Island Mine 3 Lake Richie 2 Lake Richie/Canoe 2 Lake Whittlesey 2 Lane Cove 3 Little Todd 2 Malone Bay 3 McCargoe Cove 3 Merritt Lane 3 Moskey Basin 3 Pickerel Cove 2 Rock Harbor 1* Rock Harbor Marina 14 Siskiwit Bay 3 Three Mile 1 Tobin Harbor Dock 5 Todd Harbor 3 Tookers Island 3 Washington Creek (Windigo) 3 Windigo Dock 5 Wood Lake 2 *Rock Harbor one night stay limit in effect 6/1 - 9/15. 6 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2021 0 1 1 1 3 6 2 6 3 7 1 1 5 0 5 1 5 3 4 4 3 3 5 4 0 3 1 2 1 11 0 4 4 0 5 0 5 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 3 0 3 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2 0 3 0 3 3 0 3 0 4 0 0 S F S CR S S F S S S F F S S S S S S F S S S S F F CR S S S S-W F-W CR S S CR S S-W S S D No epth rm at al Do Co ck nd iti on On s Ge -b o Al ner ar lo at d we or d U se Sp In eci fo al rm ati on s 3 6 1 2 0 0 4 16 0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 1 6 0 9 0 2 8 0 1 2 10 0 0 G Te rou nt p Sit es CR - Fires in community ring only S - Self-contained stoves only W - Treated water supply F - Campfire rings or standing grills provided Sh el te r Campgrounds C N ons 6/ ight ecu (ex 1 – s St tive ce La ay pt bo L Ro r im ck Da it Ha y rb In or ) Te divi nt du Sit al es Grand Marais, MN, to Windigo 57mi/91km 30 minutes one-way 2' – 5' 13' 5' 10' – – 7' 9' – – 6' 6' – 2' – 4' – 3' – 7' – – – – – – – – 3' – 6' 7' 8' 8' – – 3' – 12' 2' – 6' 9' 3' – 8' 2' 7' – 4' – 20' – yes yes no yes – – no no – – no no – yes – yes – – – – – – – – yes no no no – – yes no no yes no no – yes – Canoe Portages Distance•Elevation Change•Comment Malone Bay - Siskiwit Lake 0.3 mile, 40’ Gradual Slope Siskiwit Lake - Intermediate Lake 0.4 mile, 40’ Gradual ups and downs Intermediate Lake - Lake Richie 0.6 mile, 120’ Hilly and wooded Wood Lake - Lake Whittlesey 0.6 mile, 80’ Rolling Lake Whittlesey - Chippewa Harbor 0.6 mile, 140’ Steep grades and rocky Chippewa Harbor - Lake Richie 1.2 miles, 160’ Hilly Moskey Basin - Lake Richie 2.0 miles, 120’ Gradual but long Lake Richie - Lake LeSage 0.6 mile, 100’ Steep grades, wet Lake LeSage - Lake Livermore 0.4 mile, 80’ Steep grades, wet Lake Livermore - Chickenbone Lake 0.2 mile, 40’ Steep but short Chickenbone Lake -McCargoe Cove 1.2 miles, 80’ Hilly Pickerel Cove 0.1 mile, 10’ Short and sweet Lane Cove - Stockly Bay 0.1 mile, 8’ Short and sweet Five Finger Bay - Duncan Bay 0.2 mile, 8’ Short and sweet Duncan Bay - Tobin Harbor 0.8 mile, 175’ Extremely steep Tobin Harbor - Rock Harbor 0.2 mile, 40’ Gradual up and down 7 Rock Harbor Lodge Water Taxi Provides drop-off and pick-up services between Rock Harbor and McCargoe Cove on the north shore and Rock Harbor and Malone Bay on the south shore. See page 10. Rock Harbor Dock Closure Fall 2021: Rock Harbor Ranger III dock will be closed for expansion and repairs starting 9/11. Isle Royale Queen IV Copper Harbor, MI, to Rock Harbor 56mi/90km 3.75 hours one-way Ranger III Houghton, MI, to Rock Harbor 73mi/118km 6 hours one-way Seaplane Hancock, MI, to Rock Harbor 71mi/114km 35-45 minutes one-way Grand Marais, MN, to Rock Harbor 90mi/145km 45 minutes one-way Little Todd Malone Bay Rock Harbor Siskiwit Bay Three Mile 35.8 9.3 30.3 21.3 5.0 10.9 15.6 19.6 2.3 7.3 13.3 25.7 10.5 8.7 27.1 Chickenbone E 1.8 - 7.9 7.9 19.8 15.0 34.4 7.9 29.1 19.9 3.6 12.7 16.2 18.2 2.7 5.9 14.8 24.3 12.5 9.3 25.7 Chickenbone W 9.3 7.9 - 9.7 27.3 22.5 42.0 15.2 36.4 27.2 4.3 16.6 22.6 25.7 10.6 6.2 16.8 31.6 14.1 17.3 33.0 Chippewa Harbor 6.1 7.9 9.7 - 26.0 22.5 41.9 15.4 37.3 27.4 5.8 6.9 21.5 27.2 8.2 3.9 7.1 31.8 4.4 14.9 33.2 Daisy Farm 19.6 19.8 27.3 26.0 - 20.0 21.4 12.3 14.4 18.6 23.0 30.8 5.7 23.2 18.0 25.3 33.1 23.0 30.4 11.4 12.6 Desor N 16.4 15.0 22.5 22.5 20.0 - 20.1 8.1 14.7 5.5 18.2 27.3 15.5 10.8 17.7 20.5 29.4 9.9 26.7 11.8 11.3 Desor S 35.8 34.4 42.0 41.9 21.4 20.1 - 27.6 12.8 14.6 37.8 46.7 26.1 30.3 37.1 40.1 49.0 10.3 46.3 31.8 8.8 Feldtmann Lake 9.3 7.9 15.2 15.4 12.3 8.1 27.6 - 25.7 13.0 11.1 20.2 7.8 11.3 10.7 13.4 22.3 17.4 19.8 4.1 18.8 Hatchet Lake 30.3 29.1 36.4 37.3 14.4 14.7 12.8 25.7 - 10.0 32.3 41.2 19.1 24.9 31.8 34.6 44.4 14.4 41.7 24.8 4.0 Huginnin Cove 21.3 19.9 27.2 27.4 18.6 5.5 14.6 13.0 10.0 - 23.1 32.2 20.4 15.7 22.6 25.4 34.3 4.4 31.6 16.7 6.6 Island Mine 5.0 3.6 4.3 5.8 23.0 18.2 37.8 11.1 32.3 23.1 - 12.7 18.5 21.4 6.3 2.3 12.9 27.5 10.2 13.0 28.9 Lake Richie 10.9 12.7 16.6 6.9 30.8 27.3 46.7 20.2 41.2 32.2 12.7 - 26.5 30.5 13.0 10.8 6.9 36.6 4.6 19.5 38.3 Lane Cove 15.6 16.2 22.6 21.5 5.7 15.5 26.1 7.8 19.1 20.4 18.5 26.5 - 18.7 13.5 22.1 28.6 24.8 25.9 7.0 17.3 Little Todd 19.6 18.2 25.7 27.2 23.2 10.8 30.3 11.3 24.9 15.7 21.4 30.5 18.7 - 20.9 23.7 34.3 20.1 31.6 15.0 21.5 Malone Bay 2.3 2.7 10.6 8.2 18.0 17.7 37.1 10.7 31.8 22.6 6.3 13.0 13.5 20.9 - 8.4 15.3 27.0 12.6 6.7 28.4 McCargoe Cove 7.3 5.9 6.2 3.9 25.3 20.5 40.1 13.4 34.6 25.4 2.3 10.8 22.1 23.7 8.4 - 11.0 29.8 8.3 15.1 31.0 Moskey Basin 13.3 14.8 16.8 7.1 33.1 29.4 49.0 22.3 44.4 34.3 12.9 6.9 28.6 34.3 15.3 11.0 - 38.7 2.7 22.2 40.1 Rock Harbor 25.7 24.3 31.6 31.8 23.0 9.9 10.3 17.4 14.4 4.4 27.5 36.6 24.8 20.1 27.0 29.8 38.7 - 36.0 21.1 11.0 Siskiwit Bay 10.5 12.5 14.1 4.4 30.4 26.7 46.3 19.8 41.7 31.6 10.2 4.6 25.9 31.6 12.6 8.3 2.7 36.0 - 19.5 37.8 Three Mile 8.7 9.3 17.3 14.9 11.4 11.8 31.8 4.1 24.8 16.7 13.0 19.5 7.0 15.0 6.7 15.1 22.2 21.1 19.5 - 23.0 Todd Harbor 27.1 25.7 33.0 33.2 12.6 11.3 8.8 18.8 4.0 6.6 28.9 38.3 17.3 21.5 28.4 31.0 40.1 11.0 37.8 23.0 - Washington Creek Moskey Basin Chippewa Harbor Chickenbone E Washington Creek -Windigo Lane Cove 16.4 Todd Harbor Island Mine 19.6 McCargoe Cove Huginnin Cove 6.1 Lake Richie Feldtmann Lake 9.3 Hatchet Lake Desor S 1.8 Daisy Farm - Chickenbone W Desor N Trail Trail Mileages Mileage Between Campgrounds 2021 – Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park 7 Things to Do 8 Hiking Boating Miles of trail wind through forests and hug the shoreline, climb steeply to ridgetop views, and descend into wetlands. Ninetynine percent of the park’s land base is designated wilderness that beckons you to explore. Hundreds of islands and surrounding Lake Superior waters are within the boundaries of the park. Numerous docks and countless anchorages provide access for power and sailboats. Camping Thirty-six campgrounds are scattered throughout the park. Campsites are accessible only by foot or watercraft. All campgrounds have tent sites, outhouses, and are near a water source. Many of the campgrounds located on the Lake Superior shoreline offer docks, shelters, and picnic tables. Camping Permits are required for all overnight stays at campgrounds, cross-country sites, docks, or at anchor. Group Camping (seven or more people) Advance reservations are required for any group or organization, including families and friends traveling together, bringing seven or more people to the island (see below). Small-party Camping (six or fewer people) All small-party campsites contain either tent sites or a three-sided shelter. Shelters and tent sites for individual small parties are available first come, first served. Expect crowded campsites from mid-July through mid-September. Expect to have conversations about sharing tent sites. How to Select a Campsite During COVID-19 1. At a campground, camp at a designated tent site or occupy a shelter. 2. When all campground sites are occupied, share a tent site if social distancing can be maintained. 3. When all campground sites are occupied and there are no viable tent sites to share, use the identified overflow group campsite (if present). 4. When options 1-3 are full, camp outside of campground per crosscountry camping regulations and zone map. Shelters: Shelters may not be reserved and may not be used solely for cooking or gear storage. To minimize damage to vegetation, tents and hammocks may not be erected outside shelters; tents may be used inside shelters. Using nails, staples, tacks, and/or tape to attach items to shelters is prohibited. Hammocks: In campgrounds, hammocks may only be used within the existing impacted area of designated tent sites and not in the surrounding trees. Hammocks may not be hung at shelter sites or inside shelters. Permissible hammock locations may not be available; plan on bringing a tent. Choose trees with care; many cannot support a hammock. Hammock use must not damage trees. Cross-Country Camping zones have changed in 2021. Terrain and vegetation make off-trail hiking and camping difficult. Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/cross-country-camping.htm. Plan Ahead: All boaters should make themselves familiar with information in the Isle Royale Boating Guide. Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/ boating-guide.htm. Lake Superior offers challenging and often dangerous weather: fog, high winds, waves, and thunderstorms. Combine rocky reefs and limited safe harbors with Isle Royale’s remoteness, and it pays for you, your crew, and your boat to be shipshape. Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species: Vessel owners are legally responsible for invasive species decontamination prior to entering park waters (extending 4.5 miles into Lake Superior from the outermost land areas of the park). Learn how to decontaminate your vessel at stopaquatichitchhikers.org/prevention. Day Use: Boaters visiting the park or park waters for the day are required to pay entrance fees (see page 12) and are encouraged to fill out a day permit at Windigo, Rock Harbor, or Houghton. Call (906) 482-0984. Overnight Stays: Boaters staying overnight at anchor, at docks, or in campgrounds must obtain a permit Obtaining a Permit: It is recommended for boaters to permit ahead of their trip. Call (906) 482-0984. Restricted Water Activities: • Water skiing and personal watercraft including vessels referred to as Jet Skis, Waverunners, or Sea-doos are prohibited in all park waters. • Vessels with motors (even if not in use) are prohibited on interior lakes and streams. Quiet/No Wake Zones: These zones promote quality visitor experience by providing relatively tranquil, natural marine surroundings. Within the zone, vessels must not exceed 5 mph or create a wake in excess of surrounding seas. Consult www.nps