Isle Royale

Your Guide to Isle Royale National Park www.nps.gov/isro National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior A Shared Wilderness Perched high along the Greenstone Ridge, I’m mesmerized by the big lake view. The world feels far away. I only stopped for a quick water break, but I’ve been here for hours—basking in sun and solitude. A raven swoops across the cliff face kraa-ing madly, urging me to move along. Invigorated, I head down the trail. Though I’ve hiked this route many times, it’s ever reinventing itself. New-built beaver dams flood the forest and the trail; old dams give way, ponds vanish. I hear McCargoe long before I see it. When I arrive, the place is buzzing. The campground is busy; resurging interest in the outdoors and national parks has brought visitors to Isle Royale in unprecedented numbers. All the sites are full, and cheerful strangers offer to share. Fresh off the ferry, they are so clean, and I’m suddenly aware of my muddy, bedraggled, swamp-scented self. I inelegantly cannonball off the dock, joining several dozen revelers splashing in the warm(ish) water. Boats of all sizes are rafted off the dock. Everyone is enjoying the day, the place, each other. It seems I have descended into a community, although the map puts my location at the heart of wilderness. Evening draws in. The whirl of the day has calmed, and everyone converges at the community fire ring. We exchange experiences, talking quietly of past trips and trips yet to come—of how the island has changed, and of how it has changed us. A moose wanders into the cove as the sun is setting. We are hushed. And together in this shared wilderness, we find ourselves renewed. Valerie Martin Welcome to Isle Royale National Park The past year drew many visitors, both first timers and returnees, to sacred landscapes in search of refuge—to places like Isle Royale. In 2021, this renewed engagement in national parks brought a record number of visitors to Isle Royale National Park: 20,109. This number, while small compared to the staggering millions of Great Smokey Mountains and Grand Canyon National Parks, represents the highest density of backcountry and wilderness use in the National Park Service. Campgrounds and docks were bustling, often bursting beyond capacities. What does this mean for your journey to Isle Royale? While we have made some changes to alleviate crowding where possible, you should expect full ferries and campgrounds. Be understanding and courteous when you must share a campsite or dock. Park staff is engaged in a strategic planning process to address the park’s changing needs. With this robust effort, we are positioning park staff and priorities to best serve and honor you and Minong in the years to come. Enjoy your park, and remember to #PlanLikeAParkRanger! Denice Swanke, Superintendent Printing courtesy of Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association. Royale Renewal........................................2-3 Paddling, Diving, Fishing...........................9.. Safety Is Your Responsibility.......................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 Royale Renewal Renewal and Rebirth: Isle Royale’s Wolves In 2017, the chance of hearing a wolf howl or spying tracks on the trail was slim. Two closely related wolves were all that remained of Isle Royale’s famed population. Three years ago, the introduction of new wolves began. Now with 19 wolves translocated, the formation of at least two packs, and litters of island pups practicing their howling once again; we have witnessed the rebirth of a population. Though challenged by the pandemic, the NPS and its collaborators have been keeping tabs on the wolves by using GPS collars and remote cameras, collecting scat for genetic analysis, and through visitor observations. For 2021, preliminary data from remote cameras indicated at least 17 wolves in two packs, each with an unknown number of pups, plus a number of individual wolves. Genetic evidence and additional analysis of remote camera data will further home in on 2021's numbers. As predators, these new wolves seem similar to their predecessors. They have no problems killing moose and seem to be especially adept at killing beaver in the summer. But in other ways the new wolves are different. Some have been proficient swimmers, frequenting offshore islands. Could this be to avoid interactions with other wolves? To seek prey? Is it a behavior they acquired prior to translocation? The answer is unclear, but the frequency of offshore island use has been surprising. The new wolves are bigger. A Great Lakes wolf’s average weight is 50-70 and 60-80 pounds for an adult female and male, respectively. In spring 2021, an adult male weighing 94 pounds, and his offspring, two males and one female, weighing 85, 74 and 64 pounds were captured. Definitely above average! A concerning change is the wolves’ reluctance to yield the trail to hikers. In the past wolves would slip on and off the trail without ever being noticed. Sightings were rare. The past two summers have seen increasing numbers of visitor wolf observations. We need to respect each other’s space and give each other plenty of it (see page 5 for guidance). As the park and its collaborators continue to monitor this fledgling population, I’m sure, like their predecessors, these new wolves will have many things to teach us about adapting to change. Mark Romanski Biologist / Natural Resource Program Manager All wolf images were taken by remote wildlife cameras and are from a collaboration between the National Park Service and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. 2 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2022 From the Ashes In late August of 2021, I stood on the Mott Dock, looking east down the Rock Harbor Channel, anxiously watching the horizon. Just a day prior, wildland firefighters were monitoring a small, smoldering fire near the Duncan Bay Portage Trail. Now fire raged up and over the Greenstone Ridge, with plumes of smoke visible from space. By the end of October, the Horne Fire had burned over 300 acres of boreal forest on the northeast end of the island. Monument Rock, previously shrouded by dense vegetation, has reclaimed its position as an icon of the ridge and is now visible from Hidden Lake. Prior to the fire, moss-covered boulders and lichen extending from spruce and fir branches lined the trail to Lookout Louise. Now the trail is marked by burned snags, naked boulders, and a charred understory. This stark landscape inspires wonderings of what is to come. How severe was the fire? Will the juniper bushes that lined the Greenstone Ridge trail return? Will the island’s abundant moose population eat every shrub or sapling that emerge from the burn? How can park managers prevent invasive species from colonizing the burn? In spring, I will be a regular visitor to this trail, searching for sprouting seeds and watching to see how the island answers these, and many more, questions. Lynette Potvin, Ecologist Ningiiwekiimin: We are returning to our land Last summer, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa raised their nation’s flag on a new pole beside the US flag at Windigo. Band Members and National Park Service staff celebrated together as they watched the flag unfurl against a brilliant blue sky. Flying the flag in the park honors the Grand Portage Band’s historic and lasting relationship with the island, known to the regional Anishinaabe as “Minong”, The Good Place. In 2019, Minong was listed on the National Register as a Traditional Cultural Property of the Grand Portage Band, which means the island is nationally recognized as being associated with the cultural practices, traditions, beliefs, and lifeways of a living community But it hasn’t always been this way. The relationship between Grand Portagers and Minong has been complicated by federal government intervention. In 1842 the Treaty of La Pointe and subsequent Isle Royale Compact effectively ended the Grand Portage Band’s claim to the Minong archipelago. Although treaty rights were retained, the transaction was far from balanced. Even so, Band members continued to enjoy the island’s many bounties. This use is captured through land surveys, historic mining, commercial fishing, and oral history. Through the years, Band members have never lost sight of the island, which is plainly visible from Grand Portage. Renewed connections between the Grand Portage Band and the National Park Service invite celebration. Indeed, last year’s flag raising ceremony is significant. But in many ways, the event simply acknowledges the strong ties to Minong the Grand Portage community has always known. Anna Deschampe Interpretation Program Manager, Grand Portage NM Seth DePasqual Cultural Resource Manager, Isle Royale NP Renew Your Connection In an uncertain and changing world, national parks provide places of refuge and renewal. Our connections to these special places sustain and nurture us. Through collective care we can help Isle Royale Stay Wild. 2022 – Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park 3 Your Safety is Your Responsibility 4 Lake Superior and the island’s wilderness present challenges and hazards to the inexperienced or ill-prepared. In 2021, park rangers responded to a record number of medical and rescue incidents. Play It Safe Know Before You Go Make a Conservative Trip Plan. Plan your adventure with the least experienced person in mind. Face masks may be required in buildings and outdoors when social distance cannot be maintainced. Be First Aid Ready. A first aid kit is a must. Be trained, experienced, and equipped to deal with common injuries. Practice backcountry hygiene. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use sanitizer. Use soap at least 50 steps away from water. Plan for Problems. What will you do if someone gets injured or lost? How will you self-rescue? Emergencies Plan Ahead Prep Your Gear. Bring supplies needed to handle delays and weather. Test your gear prior to your adventure. Wear sturdy, well-broken-in boots with ankle support for hiking. Assess Risk Watch the Weather. Conditions deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly. Huddle Up. Start each day discussing expected conditions and potential safety issues. Care for Your Companions. Monitor health and energy levels of party members. Be Flexible. When issues arise, evaluate. Should you keep going, take a break, or change your trip plan? Travel Smart Stick Together. Divide gear to lighten the load of a slower or injured hiker. Don’t leave slower party members in the dust. Rest Often. Enjoy frequent short breaks: drink water, munch snacks, relax and rejuvenate. Travel during cooler times of the day. Stay Hydrated. Drink upon waking, along your route, and at your destination. Water is life. Watch Your Step. Footing is uneven. Rocks and roots are trip hazards. Boardwalks and rocks are slippery when wet. When Things Go Wrong • Take a breath • Assess the situation • Make a plan Self-Rescue = Best Rescue. Self-reliance is the only immediate option in an emergency. Park response is limited and even if you are able to contact rangers, help could be hours or days away. Are there others nearby who can assist or go for help? If you are not equipped to deal with your emergency: • Call on marine radio, or • Use a satellite phone, or • Activate an emergency device with texting capability Cellphone service is unreliable. Any device may fail in adverse weather. 4 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2022 Wilderness is not Immune to COVID-19 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. To contact the park in an emergency: 440-546-5945 Drinking Water Potable water is only available in Rock Harbor and Windigo. Early and late season visitors should plan for no potable water anywhere on-island. Lake Superior and interior waters should be considered non-potable. 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 Toxic Water Alert Algal blooms have occurred in interior lakes and can be toxic. 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. Respond to Your Symptoms Dehydration is a factor in most medical problems. You tire quickly, do not think clearly, and are more prone to falling. Water is scarce between campgrounds, especially along ridges. Carry a minimum two quarts of water per person; drink and refill whenever near water sources. Watch for mild signs of dehydration: thirst, fatigue, headache, and dizziness. Hypothermia: Shivering, apathy, and coordination loss indicate mild hypothermia. Best defense: Stay warm and dry. Dress in layers and don raingear before you get wet. If someone shows these signs, warm and dry the person, add more layers, climb in a sleeping bag, and sip warm liquids. 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 and simple living are important components of an Isle Royale visit. To ensure these experiences, you should be familiar with skills and habits that foster a Leave No Trace ethic. Visit www.lnt.org. 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. 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. 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 on Lake Superior waters outside of designated quiet/no wake zones. 5 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 are allowed. Graffiti and the building of cairns (rock piles) mar the park for other visitors. Leave the park as you find it. 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. Portable Generators are prohibited in most areas of the park. Be Safe With Fire: Keep your fire small and burn down to ash; be sure the fire is completely out before leaving it. Keep the Island Clean Park Regulations Practice Proper Food Storage: Keep a clean camp. To protect your food from wildlife seal it in scent-proof containers and secure. Hardsided 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. Do not burn, bury, or place 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. 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. 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. No Drone Zone: Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on lands and waters of the park is prohibited. Cookware Cleaning: Wash dishes at least 100' from water sources and campsites. Even biodegradable soap takes 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. 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. Bathing: Get wet, then move at least 100' away from all water sources and campsites to lather and rinse. Use soap sparingly, if necessary. Exception: Possession of firearms within the park is regulated by Michigan law. The discharge of firearms within the park is prohibited. Share the Space Marijuana Prohibited: While recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in many states, marijuana remains illegal on federal lands including Isle Royale National Park. 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. Moose are large and potentially dangerous animals. Always give them a wide berth because they may kick in any direction or charge. 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. Loons may abandon their nests when approached too closely. From May through mid-July (loon nesting season) you must stay at least 150' away from small islands and from shoreline nests. If a loon cries out, you are too close. Mosquitos & Black Flies peak in June or July. In wet summers, mosquitos continue into August. Bring repellent, netting, or other skin barriers. Wasps: Dry summers often result in an abundance of wasps. Bring an epinephrine kit if allergic to stings. Wolves Pets If you see a wolf: Do not approach. If the wolf comes closer, encourage it to leave by clapping and yelling. 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. If a wolf does not leave: Maintain eye contact and slowly back away until you are out of sight, continuing to clap and yell. Do not run or turn your back to the wolf. If you cannot safely leave: Make yourself big. Aggressively use hiking poles or branches to discourage the wolf from approaching. If a wolf attacks: Wolf attacks are extremely rare and unlikely to happen. But if it does, fight using any means necessary. Report all wolf sightings to park staff. 2022 – 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 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 0 3 0 S Belle Isle 5 1 6 0 F Birch Island 3 1 1 0 S Caribou Island 3 1 2 0 CR Chickenbone E 2 3 0 1 S Chickenbone W 2 6 0 3 S Chippewa Harbor 3 2 4 1 F Daisy Farm 3 6 16 3 S Desor N 2 3 0 0 S Desor S 2 7 0 3 S Duncan Bay 3 1 2 0 F Duncan Narrows 3 1 2 0 F Feldtmann Lake 2 5 0 2 S Grace Island 3 0 2 0 S Hatchet Lake 2 5 0 3 S Hay Bay 3 1 0 0 S Huginnin Cove 3 5 0 0 S Intermediate Lake 2 3 0 0 S Island Mine 3 4 0 2 F Lake Richie 2 4 0 2 S Lake Richie/Canoe 2 3 0 0 S Lake Whittlesey 2 3 0 0 S Lane Cove 1* 5 0 0 S Little Todd 2 4 0 0 F Malone Bay 3 0 5 2 F McCargoe Cove 3 3 6 3 CR Merritt Lane 3 1 1 0 S Moskey Basin 3 2 6 2 S Pickerel Cove 2 1 0 0 S Rock Harbor 1* 11 9 3 S-W Rock Harbor Marina 14 0 0 0 F-W Siskiwit Bay 3 4 2 3 CR Three Mile 1* 4 8 3 S Tobin Harbor Dock 5 0 0 0 S Todd Harbor 3 5 1 3 CR Tookers Island 3 0 2 0 S Washington Creek (Windigo) 3* 5 10 4 S-W Windigo Dock 3 0 0 0 S Wood Lake 2 3 0 0 S *Rock Harbor, Three Mile, Lane Cove, & Washington Creek stay limit in effect 6/1 - 9/17. 6 Your Guide To Isle Royale National Park – 2022 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 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 (*n 1 – s St tive ot La ay e e bo L i xc ep r D mit tio ay ns ) In 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. 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 Chippewa Harbor Daisy Farm Desor N Desor S Feldtmann Lake Hatchet Lake Huginnin Cove Island Mine Lake Richie Lane Cove Little Todd Malone Bay McCargoe Cove Moskey Basin Rock Harbor Siskiwit Bay Three Mile Todd Harbor Washington Creek -Windigo - 1.8 9.3 6.1 19.6 16.4 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 Chickenbone E Chickenbone W Trail Mileage MileagesBetween Campgrounds 2022 – 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. Ninety-nine 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 park boundaries. Numerous docks and 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 midSeptember. Expect to have conversations about sharing sites. Obtain a Permit: Overnight boaters need to permit ahead of time. Call (906) 482-0984. 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. Call (906) 482-0984. How to Select a Campsite: Overnight Stays: Boaters staying overnight at anchor, at docks, or in campgrounds must obtain a permit 1. At a campground, camp at a designated tent site or occupy a shelter. Restricted Water Activities: 2. When all sites are occupied, use the identified overflow group campsite (if present). • Water skiing and personal watercraft including vessels referred to as Jet Skis, Waverunners, or Sea-doos are prohibited in all park waters. 3. When all sites are occupied, ask to share a tent site. • Vessels with motors (even if not in use) are prohibited on interior lakes and streams. 4. When all sites are occupied and there are no viable tent sites to share, ask to pitch your tent or hammock outside a shelter. 5. When options 1-4 are full, camp outside of campground per cross-country camping regulations and zone map. Shelters: Shelters may not be reserved and may not be used solely for cooking or gear storage. Tents may be used inside shelters. Using nails, staples, tacks, and/or tape to attach items is prohibited. Hammocks: In campgrounds, hammocks may only be used within the existing impacted area of designated sites and not in the surrounding trees. Hammocks may not be hung inside shelters. Permissible hammock locations may not be available; bring a tent. Choose trees with care; many cannot support a hammock. Hammock use must not damage trees. Cross-Country Camping Terrain and vegetation make off-trail hiking and camping difficult. Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/cross-country-camping.htm. 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. (see pages 6 and 7). Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/quiet-no-wake.htm. On-Board Generators: The operation or use of permanently installed (by the boat manufacturer) on-board vessel generators is limited to specific times and locations. Visit www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/boating-guide.htm. Portable Generators are prohibited in most areas of the park. Fuel: Vessels carrying spare fuel in portable containers must use legally approved containers. Fuel may not be stored on docks. Gasoline and diesel fuel are sold at Rock Harbor and Windigo when Isle Royale Resort stores are open (see pag