First visit
Orient Rock Harbor and Windigo, then see how trails, camps, docks and visitor facilities relate to each other before you pick a route.
Starting keyless basemap and source-aware visitor layers…
What this map is built to answer
Isle Royale is one island, but not one kind of trip.
Backpacking
Start with the trail/camp network. Use the current NPS mileage table and camping rules for the distances and restrictions that actually govern the trip.
Boating & paddling
Every designated NPS portage is on the map with its official distance, terrain and both landings, so you can see how the interior lakes connect before committing a day to a carry. Switch on the nautical chart for Lake Superior depths, buoys and hazards.
Driving the big lake instead? Open the Lake Superior Circle Tour planner.
Deep exploration
Start with the lightweight six-class vegetation overview or USGS shaded relief, then step into detailed vegetation, geologic units, 1996–2017 vegetation change and the 2021 Horne Fire with every source date visible.
Sources & methodology
This guide keeps current National Park Service (NPS) authority, public map geometry, and research/reference data separate. The full source strategy and source desk live on their own page.
Before you go
Isle Royale, answered plainly.
Is Isle Royale open year-round?
No. It's the only U.S. national park that closes completely for the season, open April 16 through October 31 and closed November 1 through April 15 because of dangerous Lake Superior winter conditions. Ferries and seaplanes run mid-May through September, inside that window; outside it there's no scheduled way to reach the island at all.
Can you camp anywhere on Isle Royale?
No. Camping is permit-only and limited to designated campgrounds, cross-country sites, docks, or anchor points, regardless of group size. Permits are free for parties of six or fewer and issued on arrival at Rock Harbor, Windigo, or aboard the Ranger III; sites are first-come, first-served, so a permit doesn't reserve a specific one. Fires are allowed only in designated metal rings or grills.
How do you get to Isle Royale?
By ferry or seaplane only; there's no bridge or road access. Ferries and seaplanes depart from Houghton and Copper Harbor, Michigan, and Grand Portage, Minnesota, landing at Rock Harbor on the island's east end or Windigo on the west end. Crossings range from about 40 minutes by seaplane to roughly 6 hours by the Ranger III ferry.
What's the difference between Rock Harbor and Windigo?
They're the island's two entry points, on opposite ends. Rock Harbor sits on the east end, reached from Houghton or Copper Harbor, Michigan. Windigo sits on the west end, reached from Grand Portage, Minnesota. Trails, campgrounds, and portages connect to one side or the other, so which one you arrive at shapes which routes are realistic for your trip.