Isle Royale National Park — Visitor Information

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Isle Royale is one of the least-visited national parks in the lower 48 — and one of the only ones that closes entirely for the winter. There are no roads or cars on the island; every trip starts with a ferry or seaplane reservation. Here's what to know before you plan a visit.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: ferry/seaplane schedules, Lake Superior weather, and trail conditions change quickly — always check the official Isle Royale Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Lake Superior, Michigan
Entrance Fee
$7/person/day (16+)
2026 Season
April 16 – October 31 (fully closed the rest of the year)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No permit to enter, but ferry/seaplane seats must be booked
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping (self-issued on arrival), groups of 7+
Access
Boat or seaplane only — no roads to or on the island

Getting There

There's no bridge or airport runway — every visitor arrives by boat or floatplane, and seats/space fill up well in advance during peak summer weeks.

  • Ranger III — the NPS's own ferry, from Houghton, MI to Rock Harbor
  • Isle Royale Line — private ferry from Copper Harbor, MI
  • Voyageur II — private ferry from Grand Portage, MN, to Windigo and Rock Harbor
  • Isle Royale Seaplanes — from Houghton to Windigo or Rock Harbor, roughly mid-May through mid-September

Schedules and fares change year to year — confirm current options on the official ferry & seaplane page.

Ports of Entry / Visitor Centers

Tap a port for its official NPS hours & facility info.

Houghton Visitor Center (mainland)
Park headquarters — no entrance fee is charged here; this is where most ferries and the seaplane depart from.
Rock Harbor Visitor Center (on-island)
Main on-island hub, at the northeast end of the island — fee payment hours 10am–3pm ET.
Windigo Visitor Center (on-island)
Southwest end of the island — fee payment hours 10am–3pm ET.

Fees & Passes

  • Standard entrance pass: $7 per person, per day (age 16+; 15 and under free)
  • Isle Royale Season Pass: $60, covers the pass holder plus up to 3 additional adults, valid the full season
  • America the Beautiful Pass: accepted, covers entrance fees

Cashless park: entrance fees are credit/debit only — paying online before you arrive avoids wait times on-island. If you forget a pass on the island, it can't be looked up — you'll be charged again.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

Since Isle Royale does charge an entrance fee, this one's a real money-saver here: any U.S. 4th grader and their family get free entry for the season. Get it at everykidoutdoors.gov or at any visitor center.

Permits & Reservations

Backcountry Camping

Every campsite on the island is backcountry — there's no drive-in camping since there are no roads. Permits are self-issued at Rock Harbor or Windigo when you arrive; groups of 7 or more need an advance reservation and permit.

Campgrounds & RV Options

There are no drive-up campgrounds and no RV or vehicle camping possible anywhere on Isle Royale — there are no roads or cars on the island at all. Every one of the island's campsites is backcountry, reached only on foot or by boat, with permits self-issued on arrival (no advance reservation needed except for groups of 7 or more).

36 backcountry campgrounds island-wide
Spread across the island's trail network and shoreline, reachable by hiking or paddling in. Site types include individual tent sites, three-sided shelters, and group sites. Self-issue your permit at Rock Harbor or Windigo when you arrive.

Full site list, trip planning, and permit details: NPS – Backcountry Camping. Rock Harbor Lodge (rooms and housekeeping cabins) is the only non-camping lodging option on the island and books separately.

Good to Know

  • Full seasonal closure: the park closes completely November 1 – April 15 — this isn't just reduced services, nothing is open.
  • No roads, no cars: everything is on foot or by boat once you're on the island.
  • Cell service: essentially none on the island.
  • Book early: ferry, seaplane, and lodge space at Rock Harbor Lodge sell out well ahead for peak summer weeks.
Heading to Isle Royale?
True North's Isle Royale Cloth Map covers the full island — Overview, Northeast, and Southwest editions.
Shop the Isle Royale Map →

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Ferry/seaplane schedules, entrance fees, and season dates change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Isle Royale National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Isle Royale Seaplanes · NPS – Backcountry Camping · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts