Camping on Isle Royale: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations, and Fees

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Isle Royale

Isle Royale is a remote island in the middle of Lake Superior, with no roads, no cars, and no close neighbors. You can only get here by ferry or seaplane, and camping takes a very different form than it does in mainland parks: no parking lots, no electrical hookups, just boreal forest, inland lakes, and Lake Superior's wind.

The short version: The park has about 30 campgrounds accessible by foot or water, spread across the island. Reservations are required through recreation.gov. The entrance fee is $7 per person per day. The park is open from April 16 through October 31, and ferries run from May through September.

Campgrounds in the park (12)

• Campground Beaver Island Campground first come, first served · 3 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Belle Isle Campground first come, first served · 7 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Birch Island Campground first come, first served · 2 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Caribou Island Campground first come, first served · 3 sites Directions ↗
• Campground East Chickenbone Campground first come, first served · 4 sites Directions ↗
• Campground West Chickenbone Campground first come, first served · 9 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Chippewa Harbor Campground first come, first served · 7 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Daisy Farm Campground first come, first served · 25 sites Directions ↗
• Campground North Desor Campground first come, first served · 3 sites Directions ↗
• Campground South Lake Desor Campground first come, first served · 10 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Duncan Bay Campground first come, first served · 3 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Duncan Narrows Campground first come, first served · 3 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Isle Royale?

Yes, and it's the only way to stay on the island. Isle Royale has no drivable roads, so you reach every campground on foot or by kayak or canoe. Camping outside a designated site isn't allowed. You must sleep in an officially designated area.

The island closes completely from November 1 through April 15 because of extreme winter conditions on Lake Superior. The busy season runs from June through August, and the weeks in July see the most visitors.

Campgrounds in the Park

Isle Royale has about 30 campgrounds scattered across its 81 square miles, from the shoreline to the inland lakes. They naturally fall into two main entry areas and several sections in between.

Rock Harbor and the East Side

Rock Harbor is the main arrival point, at the island's eastern end. Its campground is just minutes from the dock, with tent sites, covered shelters, and drinking water. This is the only area where you'll also find a lodge, a grocery store, and a restaurant, which comes in handy after a long crossing.

An hour or two on foot from Rock Harbor, Daisy Farm is the park's largest campground, with several dozen sites and shelters. Moskey Basin and Three Mile round out this area, each with outhouses, water, and open shelters.

Windigo and the West Side

Windigo, at the western end, is the second entry point, served by ferry from Grand Portage, Minnesota. Its campground has a more intimate feel. A ranger station operates here during the season. Nearby campgrounds, Washington Creek and Huginnin Cove, work well for hikers exploring the west before crossing toward the center of the island.

The Inland Lakes

The island's interior is home to several campgrounds beside lakes tucked into the forest: Chickenbone Lake, Lake Richie, and Lake Whittlesey. Reaching these sites takes one or two days of hiking from the entry points. They're popular with flat-water kayakers and hikers following the Greenstone Ridge Trail, the island's backbone, which runs for 45 miles.

RV vs. Tent Camping: What You Need to Know

The question doesn't really come up: no motorized vehicles are allowed on the island. If you're traveling in an RV, you'll leave it in the long-term parking lots in Houghton or Copper Harbor, the two main departure points on the mainland. On the island, everyone camps with a tent and backpack. It's a limitation, but it's also part of what makes the park special. Our guide for RV visitors to Isle Royale covers parking options on the mainland.

Camping Nearby: Options Outside the Park

If you need a night before or after your crossing, the Keweenaw Peninsula offers several options. Copper Harbor, the Michigan departure point for Isle Royale, has a municipal campground on the lakeshore. Houghton, home to the national park headquarters, also has campgrounds and lodging. Our guide to lodging around Isle Royale lists options to round out your stay.

Wilderness and Backcountry Camping: The Rules

At Isle Royale, camping outside a designated site is prohibited. Multi-day routes, however, pass through a series of designated campgrounds. This is true backcountry travel, but it takes place at official sites with outhouses and water that must be filtered.

A wilderness permit is required and is obtained when you make your reservation on recreation.gov. You'll need to list every planned campground, night by night. Our Hiking guide covers multi-day routes, distances between sites, and elevation gains along the Greenstone Ridge Trail.

How and When to Reserve a Campsite on Isle Royale

Reservations open six months in advance on recreation.gov. In July and August, campgrounds near the entry points, including Rock Harbor and Daisy Farm, fill up very quickly as soon as the booking window opens. Our recommendation is to reserve each campground night by night, with your itinerary already set.

Remember to book your crossing at the same time. Seats on the ferries, including the Isle Royale Line from Copper Harbor and the Grand Portage Ferry from Minnesota, as well as seats on seaplanes from Royale Air Service, are just as limited. The logistics of this park require advance planning, ideally five to six months before your trip.

Fees: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost on Isle Royale?

The entrance fee is $7 per person per day. Most sites are included in this fee. Reservation fees apply on recreation.gov, usually a few dollars per night. Some covered shelters may have an additional fee depending on the season.

The park's annual pass, at $60, pays for itself after nine cumulative days of visits. The National Parks Fees and Passes page explains entrance fees, exemptions, and America the Beautiful passes.

Safety and Good Practices

Wolves and moose. Isle Royale is home to one of the few wolf populations in the Great Lakes. Wolves are wary, and sightings remain rare, but keep your distance if you encounter one. Moose, on the other hand, can be aggressive, especially cows with calves in spring and early summer. Stay at least 100 feet away.

Food storage. Store all food, scented products such as toothpaste and sunscreen, and trash in the metal food lockers available at every campground. If no locker is available, hang them using a bear-hang system. Never leave anything in your tent, even with the zipper closed.

Water. Filter or treat all surface water before drinking it. The main campgrounds, including Rock Harbor, Windigo, and Daisy Farm, have drinking-water sources. In the backcountry, your filter is essential.

Weather and isolation. Lake Superior can bring rapidly changing and sometimes severe weather, even in midsummer. Cell service is nearly nonexistent on the island. Before you board, leave your detailed itinerary with someone you trust on the mainland. Check the Isle Royale weather forecast so you can prepare for conditions during your stay.

Insects. Mosquitoes and black flies peak in June. DEET-based repellent and a head net are well worth bringing.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

First visit and want services when you arrive: Rock Harbor, with its lodge, grocery store, and easy interpretive trails available from your first half-day.

Looking for solitude and wild surroundings: the inland lakes, including Chickenbone and Lake Richie, or the Windigo area, away from ferries and groups.

Hiking the Greenstone Ridge Trail from end to end: plan an east-to-west route, or the reverse, with stops at Daisy Farm, Chickenbone, Hatchet Lake, and Windigo.

Sea-kayaking around the island: link together coastal campgrounds accessible by water, keeping Lake Superior's winds and the 48-hour weather forecast in mind.

Our complete Isle Royale guide and guide to access and crossings will help you sort out the logistics and choose your entry point.

Frequently Asked Questions