National Park Guide

Isle Royale National Park

Michigan, US

A wild archipelago in the heart of Lake Superior where wolves and moose roam freely on one of America's least-visited national parks.

571,790

Acres

Trails

1940

Established

26,000

Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season

April - October

Entrance Fee

$7 per person per day

Nearest Airport

Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX), 15 minutes to ferry

Best Months

July, August, September

Highlights

Greenstone Ridge Trail end-to-end hike
Wolf and moose wildlife observation
Rock Harbor and Windigo harbors
Scuba diving historic shipwrecks
Dark sky stargazing over Lake Superior

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in Isle Royale National Park

Greenstone Ridge Trail

Strenuous

42.0 miles one way

4,530 ft gain

Scoville Point Trail

Easy

4.2 miles round trip

200 ft gain

Stoll Memorial Trail

Easy

2.0 miles loop

100 ft gain

Lookout Louise Trail

Moderate

3.8 miles round trip

300 ft gain

Rock Harbor Trail

Moderate

9.8 miles round trip

400 ft gain

About Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in Lake Superior, accessible only by boat or seaplane. The park encompasses the main island and over 400 surrounding smaller islands, offering unparalleled solitude, pristine boreal forests, and the longest-running predator-prey study in history tracking wolves and moose in their natural habitat.

In-Depth Guide

Isle Royale National Park Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to Isle Royale National Park. Top hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for Michigan's remote island wilderness.

12 min read

Weather Overview

Average monthly temperatures

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Hotels

3 options near Isle Royale National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

Expert-tested picks

Where to Stay

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Hampton Inn & Suites Houghton

Full-service hotel in downtown Houghton near the Isle Royale Visitor Center with indoor heated pool, restaurant, gym, complimentary breakfast, and free parking.

15 min to ferry$140-230/night

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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Houghton

Cozy hotel in Houghton offering continental breakfast, inviting library, indoor pool, and a comfortable retreat near the Isle Royale ferry departure point.

15 min to ferry$110-190/night

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Super 8 by Wyndham Houghton

Budget-friendly hotel near Michigan Tech and the Isle Royale Visitor Center with continental breakfast, indoor pool, sauna, spa tub, and free WiFi.

15 min to ferry$80-140/night

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Compare Isle Royale National Park

See how Isle Royale National Park stacks up against other national parks

Isle Royale National Park vs Voyageurs National Park

Choose Isle Royale for a true wilderness island experience with no roads and legendary solitude. Choose Voyageurs for accessible water-based recreation and stunning lake country accessible by motorboat.

See full comparison