MI - Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale is an island in the northern part of Lake Superior. It is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide with numerous inland lakes. It is home to longest research study of the interaction between moose and wolf populations. There are several ways to get there. We left from Copper Harbor in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the Isle Royal Queen IV. You need to make reservations for yourself and for your kayaks. The ride is about 4.5 hours.






The boat takes you to Rock Harbor on the island. We then had a charter boat take us half-way down the island to Malone Bay. There are numerous portages involved if you are going to kayak the south inland lakes. The longest portage we had was about three quarters of a mile, but depending upon where you are going it could be several miles. These are not level portages. There are a lot of ups and downs with slippery rocks. Isle Royale is a very wet place. No open fires are allowed which is just as well, due to the wet nature of the place.

We stayed 5 days in September of 2007. There is an great book by Dufresne that outlines the various routes and hiking trails on Isle Royale. Parts of it are out of date - especially descriptions of portages due to changes in water levels. Still an excellent resource.

Once you get away from Rock Harbor (especially if you are kayaking) you will not see many people. It is possible to traverse many miles by trail and water and not meet anyone. What is hoped for is a chance encounter with either a moose or wolf.

When going to Isle Royale be prepared for the following: you must filter your own water, no camp fires allowed, cool and wet weather, you must bring all of your food and fuel (no provisions available on island).

Anyway here was our trip:

Greg and Amy,
Me and my wife are looking at making a trip to Isle Royal next summer with our Hobie Adventures do you know where I go to find out information about making reservations on the boat for us and the Yaks?

Thanks,
-The Nurms

Nurm;

Sorry that no one has replied to your question about making reservations for the Isle Royal ferry for so long.

Here is a web site link for the Isle Royal ferry out of Copper Harbor and other useful information;

http://www.isleroyale.com/

CBull