Isle Royale: Island Mine's Stream Is Nearly Dry, So Pack Your Own Water

If you're planning a backpacking trip on Isle Royale, here's something to work into your logistics right away. The stream that feeds the Island Mine campground is barely flowing at the moment, so much that it no longer offers a reliable resupply. In plain terms, you can't count on it to top off your bottles once you get there.

The rule is simple. Show up at Island Mine with enough water to cover your whole stay. On an island like this, where you can hike for hours between water sources, that changes how you pack. You'll be carrying more liters from the start, so think ahead about what you haul and what you filter.

If carrying your full supply isn't realistic, there's a backup. You can plan to collect water at Carnelian Beach, farther south. That means adjusting your route and your timing to reach it before you run low, not after. Don't forget your treatment gear either. On Isle Royale, you always filter or treat surface water before you drink it.

This situation holds until further notice, as long as the flow stays down. So we'd suggest checking the water sources right before you leave, since conditions on a stream like this can shift from one week to the next.

For the rest of your planning, distances between camps, ferry access, and the visiting season, it's all laid out in the Isle Royale park guide. A wild, remote island rewards the people who plan ahead. When it comes to water, you're better off leaving with a comfortable margin than coming up short in the wrong place.