Isle Royale National Park

Quick answers

Is there a nursing room or baby care at Isle Royale National Park?

Mapped for this park: 3 changing tables. Details

When is Isle Royale National Park open?

Closed through 2027-01-02; reopens 2027-02-18. Details

When is the best time to visit Isle Royale National Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are July, August, and September. Details

How much does it cost to get in?

Published entrance fee: $7 per person. Details

When is Isle Royale National Park open?

• Closed through 2027-01-02; reopens 2027-02-18

From 56 published days, 2026-11-08 to 2027-01-02; published by the park.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Explore a rugged, isolated island far from our connected communities. Isle Royale offers adventures for backpackers, hikers, boaters, paddlers, and divers. Cross Lake Superior and make a commitment: Become a part of this island, and let it become a part of you. Find peace and refuge in island wilderness – because Isle Royale, in turn, finds refuge in us. Help Isle Royale stay wild.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center, Showers, Store / concessions, Wi-Fi.

Nursing and baby care

Mapped for this park: 3 changing tables.

• Houghton Visitor Center Changing table
• Rock Harbor Visitor Center Changing table
• Windigo Visitor Center Changing table

When is the best time to visit Isle Royale National Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are July, August, and September.

The weather works against it in January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, and December.

The warmest month is August, with average highs near 64°F (18°C); the coolest is February, near 24°F (-4°C).

June is the wettest month, with about 3.2 in (81 mm) of precipitation in a typical June.

Typical weather, 25-year Meteorological and Solar Monthly & Annual Climatologies (January 2001 - December 2025). Data from NASA Langley Research Center POWER Project (CC BY 4.0)

Getting in to Isle Royale National Park: fees and parking

Published entrance fee: $7 per person.

Prices as published by US National Park Service, as of 2026-10-11; check before you travel.

Official facts

The Forest Service rates the wildfire hazard potential at Isle Royale National Park's mapped point very low (2023 map); it rates the ground, not the weather.

Protected waters: 2,225 km². None of it is no-take.

Boating: Vessel use restricted; anchoring restricted.

Fishing: Commercial and Recreational Fishing Restricted.

Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.

IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).

Protection level: Uniform Multiple Use.

Marine protection: National Park. Listed as "Isle Royale National Park" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1931.

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 512,060 acres (207,224 ha).

Designation: National Park. Listed as "Isle Royale National Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category II.

Established: 1931.

Managed by: NPS.

NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center (Office of National Marine Sanctuaries) with the US Department of the Interior, MPA Inventory 2023 · U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Forest Service Research Data Archive

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Backpacking trail

Shows and experiences

• Become an Isle Royale Junior Ranger

Before you go

Lockers

Are there storage lockers on the Island?: No, there are no storage lockers on the Island. The concession operation at Rock Harbor and Windigo does offer a service to store gear for a fee. The box of gear cannot contain stove fuel or food.

First aid

2 first-aid locations mapped in-park — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Campers extending their stay will be required to extend their camping permit and pay additional fees at the Rock Harbor or Windigo Visitor Centers

Limits

Dogs, cats and other mammals are not allowed on the island

⚠ Park closure: Visitor Centers are Closed for the Season

All park visitor centers have closed for the season. This includes the Houghton, Rock Harbor, & Windigo/Ozaagaateng Visitor Centers.

⚠ Park closure: Isle Royale National Park to Reopen April 16, 2027

From November 1 - April 15 annually, Isle Royale and its surrounding islands are closed to all visitors. Lake Superior waters are open to navigation. All islands reopen April 16. Call (906) 482-0984 to discuss trip planning, obtain permits, or pay fees.

Getting there

Isle Royale National Park headquarters is located in Houghton, MI. Visit the Houghton page on the Isle Royale National Park website for additional information and a map on how to access the visitor center.

Weather & when to go

Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior. Weather influences traveling to and from the island, as well as your trip once you arrive. For the most up-to-date weather information, call (906) 482-0984 or email [email protected] prior to your trip.

Visitor center

Amygdaloid Island

Visitor center

Current Conditions at Isle Royale

Visitor center

First Timer's Guide to Isle Royale

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center

Visitor center

Houghton Visitor Center — April 15 - May 24: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm May 26 - September 20: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm EDT September 21 - October 31: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm, Closed Federal Holidays November 1 - April 14: Closed — The Visitor Center is located on the east end of Lakeshore Dr. in downtown Houghton, MI on the Keewenaw Waterway adjacent to the historic Dee Stadium. If traveling north on US41, turn right on Lakeshore Dr. just as you enter downtown Houghton on Shelden Avenue. The turn is adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce. If traveling north on M26, merge with US41 South. As you leave downtown use the left…

Visitor center

Isle Royale National Park

Visitor center

Isle Royale Queen IV

Visitor center

Ranger III

Facilities on the park map

11 benches, 3 changing tables, 3 defibrillators, 4 first aid kits, 2 first aid stations, 9 picnic areas, 33 restrooms, 30 visitor information, 16 water fountains.

Where to stay

• Beaver Island Campground Located in the center of Washington Harbor, near Windigo. All shelters are water facing. Boats can stay at the dock overnight. Stay Limit: 3 nights effective from 6/1 - Labor Day annually. Shelters: 3 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 2'-5' Access: Canoe/kayak/private boat · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Mostly flat, uneven earth terrain. Facilities are not accessible.
• Belle Isle Campground A campground located on Belle Isle, in Belle Harbor, on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can use dock for overnight stays. Stay Limit: 5 nights, effective 6/1 – Labor Day. Shelters: 6 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 13’ Access: Canoe/kayak/private boat · 7 campsites · Accessibility: Unpaved, uneven, rough surface throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Birch Island Campground Small campground on Birch Island, near the mouth of McCargoe Cove, on the north side of Isle Royale National Park. One individual tent site and one shelter on site. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights June 1 - Labor Day annually. Shelters: 1 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 5' Access: Canoe/kayak/private boat · 2 campsites · Accessibility: Mostly uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Caribou Island Campground is located on the very western tip of West Caribou Island, in Rock Harbor Channel, on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can dock overnight. Stay Limit: 3 nights effective from June 1 – Labor Day. Shelters: 2 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 10’ Access: Canoe/kayak/private boat · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Chippewa Harbor Campground is located in Chippewa Harbor, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park. Trail access is via the Indian Portage Trail. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Shelters: 4 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 7’ Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat · 7 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Daisy Farm Campground Isle Royale's largest campground is located at Daisy Farm, in Rock Harbor Channel, off of the Rock Harbor Trail, Daisy Farm Trail, and Mount Ojibway Trail. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Ranger Station staffed seasonally. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Shelters: 16 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 9’. Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat · 25 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities not accessible.
• Duncan Bay Campground is located on the west end of Duncan Bay, on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 2 – Labor Day annually. Shelters: 2 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 6’ Access: Canoe/kayak/private boat · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Duncan Narrows Campground is located in the narrows of Duncan Bay on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Shelters: 2 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 6’. Access: Canoe/kayak/private boat · 3 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• East Chickenbone Campground An inland campground located on the east end of Chickenbone Lake, off of the East Chickenbone Trail. No boater access. Canoe/kayak access using 1.2 mile portage from McCargoe Cove or 0.2 mile portage from Lake Livermore. Be aware that the campground is not on the shoreline - West Chickenbone Campground is more accessible for watercraft. Stay Limit: 2 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Access · 4 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• Feldtmann Lake Campground is located on the shoreline of Feldtmann Lake, off the Feldtmann Lake and Feldtmann Ridge Trails, on the southwest end of Isle Royale National Park. This is an inland campground. Stay Limit: 2 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually. Access: Foot · 7 campsites · Accessibility: Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.
• and 26 more

History

Opened

1940

• Park opened