Things to Do in Isle Royale National Park
Wondering what there is to do in Isle Royale National Park? In this guide, we’ll go over all the best things to do in Isle Royale, plus share a few helpful tips and give you Isle Royale itinerary suggestions to help you plan your trip. Whether you want to hike and backpack through the pristine island wilderness or simply relax and enjoy the solitude of island life, Isle Royale has you covered!
Isle Royale National Park was a huge unexpected surprise for us. We admit, this small National Park consisting of a collection of densely wooded islands and moody rocky shoreline in the middle of Lake Superior was not high up on our to-do list. After visiting many other National Parks that some might consider more “grand” or “epic”, we weren’t sure Isle Royale was really going to impress us.
But then we read a very intriguing statistic. While Isle Royale National Park is the least visited National Park of the lower 48, it is also the most re-visited…meaning, those who do venture out to this remote island wilderness find themselves coming back again and again. So, there must be something special about this place, right?
Well, there was! And honestly, for us, and I think for most people, that something special is the absolute peacefulness and solitude you’ll find out here. It’s something many people look for when they visit National Parks, and why they go out into nature in general, but it’s been harder and harder to come by these days. In Isle Royale, the trails were blissfully empty and quiet, and in the evenings, the only things we heard were the sounds of lapping water, the call of the loons over the lake, and the chirping of insects as they came alive for the night. It really was true wilderness. Being the least visited National Park definitely has its perks!
By the end of our time in Isle Royale, we couldn’t believe how sad we were to leave, and how much we already wanted to plan our next trip back!
So, what is there to do in Isle Royale that makes people love it so much? We’d love to tell you!
In this guide, we’ll go over all the best things to do in Isle Royale National Park. Whether you want to just get away from it all, relax in solitude, and enjoy the views over Lake Superior, or you want to have an epic backpacking experience in a true wilderness environment, Isle Royale is the place to do it. As a bonus, we’’ll share a couple of two to five day Isle Royale itineraries to help you see all of the top sights in Isle Royale no matter how much time you have!
In this Isle Royale National Park Guide:
Things to Know Before Visiting Isle Royale National Park
Before we get into all the things to do at Isle Royale, there’s some important information that’s good to have while planning out your trip. We’ll go over some of the need-to-know details here, but make sure to check out our complete Isle Royale Guide to get more in-depth information on everything you need to know to visit Isle Royale, including, most importantly, how to get there (and spoiler alert: it can be a bit complicated!).
Where is Isle Royale?
Looking out at Isle Royale National Park from the ferry
Isle Royale is a rugged and remote island in the middle of Lake Superior. While it is technically in Michigan, it’s actually closer to reach from Minnesota (though you can get there from both Michigan and Minnesota- more on that in just a bit).
While technically an archipelago of hundreds of small islands, the main island of Isle Royale National Park that people visit is only 50 miles wide and 9 miles long. But within this small space, you’ll find tons of wilderness opportunities and the kind of blissful solitude that is hard to find elsewhere.
To make things a bit easier, it’s helpful to know that there are two main areas when looking for things to do in Isle Royale National Park.
Rock Harbor is found on the eastern end of Isle Royale and Windigo is found on the southwest end of Isle Royale. Each serves as a base for further exploring the island and have visitor centers, lodging, small camp stores, and other limited services. Most people begin their time in Isle Royale National Park at one or the other, and there are different methods of getting to each (we will talk about that below).
For each thing to do in Isle Royale that we mention below, we’ll go over options in both Rock Harbor and Windigo to help you decide which part of Isle Royale you’d want to visit!
Isle Royale National Park map
Here is a map of Isle Royale to help you better visualize how the island is laid out and where all the best things to do in Isle Royale are located.
This Isle Royale map is taken from the National Park Service and shows Rock Harbor on the east end, Windigo on the West end, and all of the trails and campgrounds in between.
Can you take a car to Isle Royale National Park?
Isle Royale is car-free! This park is only reached by boat or seaplane, and there are no drivable roads.
How to get around Isle Royale National Park
Because there are no cars on the island, the only way to explore Isle Royale once you’re there is by boat or on foot, which is what makes this place so wonderful and makes it feel like true wilderness!
Backpacking Isle Royale is a great way to get around and see the island!
We’ll talk more about hiking, backpacking, and paddling by boat when we talk about the best things to do in Isle Royale below.
There is one other option for getting around Isle Royale on the Rock Harbor side. The Rock Harbor Lodge offers a water taxi service that you can reserve in advance to take you to various places around the island. They go to select locations within 25 miles of Rock Harbor for a fee that depends on how far you go. By using the water taxi, you can access certain campgrounds, hiking trails, and other top sights in Isle Royale National Park without having to backpack to get to them. You can use it to do day hikes, or to start a backpacking trip outside of Rock Harbor. Below, in our list of best things to do in Isle Royale, we’ll mention how you can use this water taxi to take you to some of Isle Royale’s top sights!
Where to stay on Isle Royale
If you can’t drive anywhere, then where can you stay in Isle Royale?
The main way to stay on Isle Royale is to camp! There are 36 campgrounds on Isle Royale. Most of them are reached by backpacking, but there is one campground in Rock Harbor and one campground in Windigo that are easy to access via a quick walk from the ferry docks. Keep in mind, though, that the campground in Rock Harbor has a one- night consecutive stay limit, so if you want to camp for more days on the island, you’ll need to plan a backpacking trip or plan to take the Rock Harbor water taxi to an accessible campground. The campground in Windigo has a three- day consecutive stay limit, so you can plan a longer visit to stay in Windigo.
Some of the campgrounds on Isle Royale have shelters!
If you don’t want to camp, there are a couple of lodging options in Isle Royale National Park, one on each end of the island. The first is the Rock Harbor Lodge in Rock Harbor. There are a few different accommodation options here and a restaurant.
The other option is the Windigo Camper Cabins, which are a pair of one room cabins that just have mattresses, a couch, and a table with chairs. There are grills for cooking outside and you’ll have to use outhouses, so really, it’s just a fancier form of camping!
Given these accommodation options in mind, there are two main ways to visit Isle Royale.
Stay at a lodge or camper cabin or a campground in Rock Harbor or Windigo and use it as a base for day hiking around either Rock Harbor or Windigo.
Plan a backpacking route and camp your way around the island.
How to get to Isle Royale National Park
All smiles as I step off the Isle Royale ferry, ready for our adventure!
So, how to get to all the best things to do in Isle Royale? We’ve mentioned that you can only get to Isle Royale by boat or plane. And honestly, this park has been one of the most complicated to figure out how to get to! There are multiple places to leave from, and multiple possible destinations to go to, so it takes a bit of time to figure out how to best do it based on your plans and what you want to do in Isle Royale National Park. But trust us, it’s totally worth all the hassle!
There are four different departure points to get to Isle Royale. Some only have a ferry option, some only have a seaplane option, and some have both options. Some only go to Windigo, some only go to Rock Harbor, and some can go to both. And each type of transportation has a different schedule. So it’s important to have plans and know what you want to do in Isle Royale National Park before you go so you can plan the right mode and timing of transportation!
A seaplane is a quicker but more expensive option for getting to Isle Royale
Here is a brief summary of how to get to Isle Royale National Park:
From Houghton, Michigan to Isle Royale (Rock Harbor or Windigo)
Take the Ranger III ferry (6 hours)
Take an Isle Royale seaplane (40 minutes)
From Copper Harbor, Michigan to Isle Royale (Rock Harbor)
Take the Queen IV ferry (3.5 hours)
From Grand Portage, Minnesota to Isle Royale (Windigo)
Take the Voyageur II ferry (2 hours)
Take the Sea Hunter III ferry (1.5 hours)
From Grand Marais, Minnesota to Isle Royale (Windigo or Rock Harbor)
Take an Isle Royale seaplane (30 minutes to Windigo; 45 minutes to Rock Harbor)
Once you’re in either Windigo or Rock Harbor, seaplanes and one of the ferries (the Voyageur II) allows for inter-island travel. You can also take a private boat to Isle Royale as well. Make sure to check out our Isle Royale National Park Guide for much more information on each of these ways to get to Isle Royale and traveling around once you’re there!
How much time do you need in Isle Royale National Park?
With sunsets like these, you’ll never want to leave Isle Royale!
How much time you need in Isle Royale really depends on what you’re looking for from your time here. Are you looking for an epic backpacking trip through the wilderness, or just looking to see some of the top sights in Isle Royale on a quick trip? Depending on your answer, you can spend a day here just hitting a few of the top places to see in Isle Royale, or you can spend a week or more backpacking the island.
Despite being a little complicated to get to, it is possible to do a day trip to Isle Royale. Using the ferry, your time will be limited to just a few hours to explore the top sights on Isle Royale. If you use a seaplane or a private boat, you can have more time.
If you have more than one day in Isle Royale, you can spend your time at a base camp and do day hikes from there, or simply relax. Or you can spend the days backpacking to different campsites across the island.
Just be sure you line up the number of days you will be spending there with the ferry or seaplane schedule!
When to visit Isle Royale
It’s important to know that Isle Royale is closed every year from November 1st to April 15th. Public transportation to Isle Royale by ferry and seaplane usually runs between June and September, so there’s a pretty narrow window on when you can visit Isle Royale National Park.
Things to Do in Isle Royale National Park
Okay, now that we’ve gone over a bit of the important logistics, let’s get into the good stuff! Here, we’ll go over all the best things to do in Isle Royale National Park to help you plan your time. Like we said above, there are two central areas to the park – Rock Harbor and Windigo- and we’ll talk about options of things to do and see in each one!
Go for a day hike in Isle Royale National Park
Hiking is definitely our favorite thing to do in Isle Royale National Park!
Even though it’s small, Isle Royale has over 160 miles of hiking trails! Heading out on a hike is definitely one of the best things to do in Isle Royale to experience the wilderness and solitude that this park is known for. What we loved about hiking in Isle Royale is that the trails were the most uncrowded hiking trails we’ve ever experienced. We went for miles and miles on the Isle Royale trails without seeing a single person. Even on some of the more “popular” hiking trails, we saw only a handful of people. So if solitude is what you’re after, you’ll find it on the Isle Royale trails.
While many of the Isle Royale trails are long and interconnected and can be used to create longer backpacking trips, there are several options for day hikes in Isle Royale from both Windigo and Rock Harbor. To do these Isle Royale hikes, people will often set up their base in either Rock Harbor or Windigo, at either the lodging or at a campground, and take a day or two to hike the trails.
Here, we outline some of the best day hikes in Isle Royale that you can do from either Rock Harbor or Windigo.
Hikes in Isle Royale: Rock Harbor
Rock Harbor is a common place to visit in Isle Royale, and many of the park’s best views and trails are found here, so let’s go over some of the best hikes in Rock Harbor!
Stoll Memorial Trail
Views from the Stoll Memorial Trail - a popular thing to do in Isle Royale National Park
Distance: 1.8 mile loop
Hiking the Stoll Memorial Trail is a popular thing to do in Isle Royale because it’s a flat and easy hike that runs along the shore of Lake Superior for the first half, and along the forested Tobin Harbor on the second half. There’s also interpretive signs with information about the park and the area.
This hike is a good thing to do in Isle Royale if you’re looking for something really easy to experience Isle Royale’s wilderness or if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to a hike.
Scoville Point
Hiking to Scoville Point is a popular thing to do in Isle Royale for amazing views over Lake Superior
Distance: 4.0 mile loop
The hike to Scoville Point was one of our favorite things to do in Isle Royale National Park! Named by National Geographic as some of the best 100 miles of trail in the National Park System (which is saying something!), you’ll hike along the rocky Lake Superior shoreline with iconic coastal views and end at a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake and the start of Tobin Harbor. We saw lots of moose droppings and tons of footprints, too, so if you’re lucky, you might spot one.
Overall, we loved this trail and think it’s a great thing to do in Isle Royale if you’re looking for a hike that’s still on the shorter side but that beautifully encapsulates the wilderness of the island.
Mount Franklin
Loving the views from the top of Mount Franklin in Isle Royale!
Distance: 10 miles roundtrip
Mount Franklin is one of the highest points along the Greenstone Ridge Trail- a trail that runs the entire length of the island. Hiking here is a great thing to do in Isle Royale to get some of the best views on the island! It’s on the longer side as far as day hikes go, but it’s definitely worth it.
Suzy’s Cave
Suzy’s Cave in Isle Royale National Park
Distance: 3.8 miles (loop or out and back)
This is an easy hike in Isle Royale that goes to a unique feature- an inland sea arch formed back when the lake levels were much higher. It’s a cool thing to see in Isle Royale that’s a bit different than the usual shoreline and lake views that other hikes bring you to, although you’ll still get plenty of those from this trail, too!
Lookout Louise
Distance: 2 miles roundtrip or a 10.4 mile loop
Lookout Louise is a popular viewpoint at the start of the Greenstone Ridge Trail and a great place to go in Isle Royale National Park for amazing views over the island, Lake Superior, and out to Canada. The quickest and most direct way to Lookout Louise starts from Hidden Lake, which is accessible by a quick water taxi ride from Rock Harbor (make sure to check out our Isle Royale hiking guide to see your options for getting to the trailhead and how to make this hike into a longer loop).
Mount Ojibway Fire Tower
The view from the Ojibway Fire Tower in Isle Royale!
Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip (longer options possible)
The Ojibway Fire Tower sits on the highest point on the eastern side of the island, making this a great place to go on Isle Royale for amazing views. Because it’s pretty far from Rock Harbor, the best option for getting here is to take the water taxi to Daisy Farm. Be sure to check out our Isle Royale hiking guide for all your options for hiking here!
Hikes in Isle Royale: Windigo
Because it’s such a small community with limited services, a visit to Windigo is a great thing to do in Isle Royale to really get away from it all. And to help you do that, there are some great Isle Royale day hikes that start right in Windigo.
Windigo Nature Trail
Walking through the Moose Exclosure on the Windigo Nature Trail in Isle Royale
Distance: 1.2 mile loop
The Windigo Nature Trail is a great thing to do in Isle Royale if you find yourself in Windigo and are looking for an easy and educational stroll through the forest. This interpretative trail has an accompanying trail brochure with lots of information about the island, and will even take you through the famous Moose Exclosure, which showcases the effect that the moose population has had on the island.
Grace Creek Overlook
The view from the Grace Creek Overlook in Isle Royale- a great thing to do in Isle Royale on the Windigo side!
Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
The Grace Creek Overlook is a great place in Isle Royale to find solitude along the Lake Superior shoreline and to get great views over the interior of the island.
Huginnin Cove Loop
Distance: 9.4 mile loop
While we didn’t get to do this Isle Royale hike, it’s at the top of our list for when we come back! On this almost ten- mile loop, you’ll walk through forest and marsh to get to a quiet and secluded cove along Lake Superior.
Minong Ridge Overlook
Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
If you’re looking for a more challenging thing to do on Isle Royale, then take a look at the Minong Ridge Trail. This is the rockier and more rugged version of the Greenstone Ridge Trail that traverses the island, but if you only want to do a day hike, a common turnaround point is the overlook found about three miles in and where you’ll get views over Lake Superior and out to Canada.
Backpack in Isle Royale National Park
Backpacking is one of the best things to do in Isle Royale
To us, the very best thing to do in Isle Royale National Park to really experience what this park has to offer is to take a backpacking trip across the island. Isle Royale has provided one of our absolute favorite backpacking experiences of all time, mainly for the total solitude and peacefulness we found out in the island’s wilderness. We hiked for miles before crossing paths with anyone and in fact, each day on the trail, we saw more wildlife than humans! Our days were filled with the sounds of our own footsteps on the ground and birds chirping in the trees. Our evenings were filled with the sound of water lapping against the shore, insects buzzing, and the call of loons over the lakes. It was total and complete solitude, and we loved it!
With 36 campgrounds on Isle Royale and about 165 miles of trails connecting them, there are an infinite number of backpacking routes in Isle Royale National Park that you can string together, so it can seem a bit daunting to plan your trip.
Isle Royale trail map and backpacking routes
Check out this Isle Royale National Park trail map to start connecting some routes together for a backpacking trip across the island.
This map of Isle Royale backpacking routes is taken from the National Park Service. As you can see, there are endless options for connecting trails together to make a multiday trip!
For tons more information on how to plan an Isle Royale backpacking trip, how to organize your transportation, where you can camp, what to pack, and more, check out our complete Isle Royale National Park backpacking guide.
In the meantime, we’ll share a summary of some our highly recommended Isle Royale backpacking itineraries to spark your trip planning!
The Greenstone Ridge Trail: 4-7 days
Taking in the views from the Greenstone Ridge Trail- one of the best things to do on Isle Royale!
The Greenstone Ridge Trail is probably the most well-known backpacking route in Isle Royale, stretching over 40 miles between Rock Harbor and Windigo. Along the way, you’ll walk through quiet forests, spot beavers and moose as you hike by ponds and marshes, and catch views over the island from the island’s highest ridge. It’s definitely one of the best things to do is Isle Royale if you have a lot of time!
Lookout Louise to Mount Ojibway to Rock Harbor: 2 days
The beautiful view from the Ojibway Fire Tower- a great thing to do in Isle Royale if you are looking for a short backpacking trip!
If you are looking for a short backpacking itinerary in Isle Royale, or one that doesn’t require hiking point- to- point, then we think this Isle Royale backpacking route is a good option. It will take you across what we think are the best parts of the Greenstone Ridge Trail in terms of views, and then loop you back down along the Lake Superior shoreline back to Rock Harbor. It’s a perfect thing to do in Isle Royale with a short amount of time!
Rock Harbor to Chickenbone Lake Loop: 4 days
Eating dinner by Chickenbone Lake- one of my favorite spots in Isle Royale National Park!
If you are looking for a long hike that’s similar to the Greenstone Ridge but without the logistics of planning for a point- to- point hike, then this backpacking route in Isle Royale out of Rock Harbor is a great option.
On this Isle Royale backpacking route, you’ll get ridge views, nights spent at quiet inland lakes, walks through forest and marsh, and shoreline views. It’s a little bit of everything!
Minong Ridge Trail: 5-6 days
This Isle Royale backpacking route is an alternative to the Greenstone Ridge Trail if you want to hike across the island. It follows a lower ridge that parallels the Greenstone Ridge Trail on the western portion of the island before joining up with the Greenstone Ridge to hike into Rock Harbor. While it has similar views, it is said to be a bit more rugged and less traveled than the Greenstone Ridge, so it’s a good thing to do in Isle Royale if you want something a bit more challenging!
Huginnin Cove: 2 days
The Huginnin Cove loop provides an option for a short and quick Isle Royale backpacking route that begins out of Windigo. The entire loop is only 9.4 miles, and we mentioned it in our list of Isle Royale day hikes above. But, there is a campsite right on the cove, so it is possible to backpack out here and spend the night. You’ll have a quiet night on a secluded beach made of black cobblestones on the shore of Lake Superior. It’s definitely our first pick for our next visit to the island!
You can also add this onto the start or end of your time on the Greenstone Ridge or Minong Ridge trails if you want more time in the backcountry!
Feldtmann Ridge Loop: 3-4 days
The Feldtmann Ridge Loop is a 3-4 day backpacking route in Isle Royale that starts and ends in Windigo. This is another trip that we really want to do when we return! The hike starts by following the Lake Superior shoreline until you get to Rainbow Cove, which looks like an amazing scenic cove on Lake Superior. You’ll then hike across a view-filled ridge to get to Siskiwit Bay before climbing up to meet the Greenstone Ridge Trail that will take you back to Windigo.
Take a tour in Isle Royale National Park
You can take a tour to see the Rock Harbor Lighthouse on the shore of Isle Royale National Park
Tours in Isle Royale National Park are available on the Rock Harbor side of the island through the Rock Harbor Lodge. Taking a tour is a great thing to do in Isle Royale to see parts of the park off the main island or to have a guide on some of the more popular trails.
All the tours are roughly 4 hours or so and cost $38.75 per person. You can’t reserve these in advance but you can sign up for them in person at the Rock Harbor Lodge once you’re in the park.
Isle Royale tours include:
Passage Island: A visit to a rugged island off the eastern point of Isle Royale containing a lighthouse.
Louise Lookout: This tour provides transportation to the Hidden Lake trailhead and a guided walk up to the lookout.
Rock Harbor Lighthouse and Edisen Fishery: This visits the oldest lighthouse in Isle Royale National Park plus an old commercial fishery at a point on the island not accessible by hiking trail.
Raspberry Island Sunset Cruise: Hike around a small forested island that sits across from Rock Harbor and then take a sunset cruise around the eastern tip of Isle Royale.
Be sure to check out the Lodge’s tour schedule on Isle Royale before heading out, as the schedule changes daily!
Visit an Isle Royale National Park lighthouse
The picturesque Rock of Ages Lighthouse off the coast of Windigo
Lighthouses are actually an important part of Isle Royale’s history, serving to guide ships around the shallow reefs that surround the island. These reefs posed such a problem that ten shipwrecks can be found in the waters around the park! There are four lighthouses in Isle Royale, all of which are in the National Register of Historic Places to honor the keepers who lived in isolation and rough conditions for months at these lighthouses.
Visiting these lighthouses is a great thing to do in Isle Royale National Park if you want to learn more about the park’s maritime history, or to just check out some really cool picturesque lighthouses! As we mentioned above, you can take a guided tour to two of these lighthouses- the Passage Island Lighthouse and the Rock Harbor Lighthouse.
You can also visit these two lighthouses independently by using the Rock Harbor water taxi, but a guided tour is way more cost-effective.
We particularly loved the Rock of Ages Lighthouse found off the west end of Isle Royale. You can’t visit this one directly, but if you come in or out of the park via a ferry to Windigo, the boat will cruise right by this lighthouse as it enters and exits Washington Harbor. It’s a particularly picturesque lighthouse and one of the tallest in the Great Lakes. You can learn more about it in the Windigo Visitor Center as well.
Paddle in Isle Royale National Park
A great thing to do in Isle Royale National Park is to hit the water in a canoe or kayak and explore the quiet harbors and coastline of Lake Superior. While it’s not recommended to paddle directly out in the open waters of the lake because of the often challenging conditions, there are a few areas that offer calm protected waters for enjoying a relaxing paddle along the shore. This includes Tobin Harbor in Rock Harbor, and Washington Harbor and down Washington Creek in Windigo. You can rent kayaks and canoes in both Rock Harbor (at the lodge) and at the Windigo Campstore.
You can also do a short paddling trip to a campsite on the shoreline of Lake Superior to set up camp for a day or more and do day hikes from there. Three Mile campground outside of Rock Harbor and Beaver Island campground near Windigo are the most accessible options for this.
For really experienced paddlers, you can do a portaging trip around Isle Royale National Park, which is essentially backpacking, but with a canoe! You’ll paddle the inland streams and lakes, and then carry your canoe on the trails in between.
You can pay to take your canoe on the Voyageur II to a drop off point along the island and then begin your paddling trip into the wilderness, stopping at inland lake- side campsites for the night. A common drop off point is McCargoe Cove on the north shore of Isle Royale.
We don’t have any experience with portaging, but check out this page to learn about portaging routes in Isle Royale and how to plan a trip!
Search for wildlife in Isle Royale National Park
A fun thing to do in Isle Royale National Park is to see what kind of wildlife you can spot! Because of the solitude and wilderness found on the island, the wildlife encounters we had on Isle Royale were some of the most authentic we’ve ever had.
Moose and wolves
The main two animals that Isle Royale is known for are wolves and moose, as the park is home to the famous and longest running predator-prey studies between the two.
Spotting moose is an amazing thing to do in Isle Royale- and chances are high that you’ll find one!
Moose can be commonly seen along the trails, and especially at inland lakes (particularly at Feldtmann Lake and Hidden Lake) and in Washington Creek in Windigo. We were lucky enough to see a few when we camped at Washington Creek campground, and we had a run in with one of the largest moose we had ever seen while hiking the Greenstone Ridge Trail. He was up far ahead on the trail, so we stopped and watched for a minute until he started walking towards us on the trail. We ducked into the woods to give him space and before we knew it, we heard the loudest galloping sound we’d ever heard and saw it race right past us on the trail. It was such an incredible experience and felt like one of the most authentic encounters we’ve ever had.
Wolves are all over Isle Royale but are rare to see. In recent years, the wolf population on Isle Royale drastically declined, and since 2018, the park has been relocating wolves to the island to try to restore their population. Consider yourself lucky if you do spot one!
Beavers
This beaver greeted us one morning at our Isle Royale campsite!
Another common animal to see on Isle Royale is the beaver! We saw several- they were our first ever beaver sightings so it was super exciting for us! We saw them in inland lakes and ponds, usually because we heard a slapping sound in the water that prompted us to look over. We also saw one swimming right along the shoreline of Chickenbone Lake right near our campsite!
Otters
Otters in Washington Creek!
Otters are another exciting animal to spot in lakes and along the Lake Superior shoreline. We would watch a group of otters each night from our campsite at the Washington Creek campground in Windigo as they swam up the creek each evening, chirping and splashing away.
Other Isle Royale wildlife
We spotted so many of these hares along the Isle Royale trails
Foxes, snowshoe hares, snakes, eagles, and squirrels are all also commonly spotted along the Isle Royale trails. Remember, keep your distance from any wildlife and give it plenty of space if you see it on the trail. Moose especially can become aggressive (the males in the fall during mating season and the females in the spring and summer due to calf rearing).
Check out the visitor center and ranger programs
Even if you’re only on the island for a few hours, a great thing to do in Isle Royale is to learn about the nature and history of the park through a visit to the visitor center and by joining in on one of the ranger programs offered in both Rock Harbor and Windigo. These programs are usually pretty short but allow you to get a better appreciation for the park and why it’s so special. These program schedules are posted in the visitor centers, so be sure to check for them when you get to the island!
Relax!
Relaxing on the shore of Lake Superior near Rock Harbor- the perfect thing to do on Isle Royale!
It’s hard to think of a better thing to do in Isle Royale National Park than to just relax in this remote island wilderness and just get away from it all! If that’s all you’re looking to get from your visit to this park, then you definitely won’t be disappointed. Isle Royale is quiet, secluded, and makes you feel like you’ve been completely transported from the hustle and bustle of daily life, even if just for a few hours.
If you’re in Rock Harbor, take one of the short hikes along the Lake Superior shoreline and find a quiet and secluded place by the lake to enjoy the views. In Windigo, hang out by the quiet shores of Washington Creek, or sit by the docks and watch the seaplanes come and go.
A nice spot in Isle Royale to relax by the Windigo shoreline
After just a few days spent in nature on Isle Royale, we felt as if we had a much-needed reset, and left feeling refreshed, invigorated, and wanting to go back as soon as we possibly could.
Isle Royale National Park Itineraries
Now that you know the best things to do in Isle Royale, people often wonder, how many days do you need in Isle Royale National Park? It’s a small island, and there aren’t a ton of things to do, but the small number of things to do in Isle Royale make it well worth the trip out there. Especially if you are an avid hiker, backpacker, or just general outdoor enthusiast, you can spend a week or more in the park and never get tired of it.
Here are some Isle Royale itinerary suggestions to help you figure out how to fit in the best things to do in Isle Royale no matter how much time you have.
Isle Royale National Park in one day
Even with a one day Isle Royale itinerary, you can still hike through some amazing scenery!
A lot of people wonder if you can do Isle Royale in a day. You absolutely can, but depending on the mode of transportation you use to get there, your time may be very limited.
If you take a ferry to Isle Royale, your time on the island will typically be limited to just 3-4 hours. With a seaplane, you can have a much fuller day in the park. In either case, you will be able to hike a trail or two, relax, and experience the beauty of the Isle Royale wilderness.
Isle Royale Itineraries for the non-backpacker
There’s still plenty of things to do in Isle Royale even if you don’t want to backpack!
While a popular thing to do in Isle Royale is backpack, we get that a lot of people aren’t into that sort of thing. But that’s perfectly okay, because you can still find plenty of ways to enjoy the island and see the top sights on Isle Royale without having to backpack.
Here, we share three different five day Isle Royale itineraries based on which area of the park you want to visit. If you are planning to spend less time on the island, just pick the days that look most interesting to you!
Isle Royale itinerary: Two to five days in Rock Harbor
Day 1: Arrive in Rock Harbor mid-day or mid-afternoon depending on how you get there. Get settled, check out the visitor center to learn about the island and to get maps and brochures, relax by the lake or take a stroll along the Stoll Memorial Trail, and grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. If you have a bit more time and are ready for some fun right off the bat, rent a kayak or canoe from the Rock Harbor Lodge and spend the afternoon paddling along the shoreline or in Tobin Harbor.
Day 2: In the morning, hike to Scoville Point and back. See if there’s a ranger program you can join in on to learn more about the island. In the evening, take a sunset cruise around Raspberry Island with the Rock Harbor Lodge.
Day 3: In the morning, take a tour with the Rock Harbor Lodge to one of the island’s lighthouses. In the afternoon, hike to Suzy’s Cave and Three Mile campground.
Day 4: Do a full day hike from Hidden Lake to Lookout Louise and Mount Franklin.
Day 5: Catch the morning ferry back to Michigan. If you have a later seaplane scheduled back to mainland, use the extra time to relax by the lake, go for a paddle, or take another tour from the Rock Harbor Lodge that interests you.
Isle Royale itinerary: Two to five days in Windigo
Day 1: Arrive mid-morning by ferry or sea plane. Check out the visitor center to get information, maps, and brochures. Hike to Grace Creek Overlook and do the Windigo Nature Trail, making sure to visit the Moose Exclosure.
Day 2: Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle out to Beaver Island or along Washington Creek, keeping your eyes peeled for moose and otters.
Day 3: Hike the Huginnin Cove Loop
Day 4: Hike up to the Minong Ridge Overlook. In the afternoon, spend some time relaxing by the lake, watching the seaplanes come in and out, or spend some time along the creek while you watch for wildlife.
Day 5: Catch a morning ferry back to the mainland. If you have more time waiting for your seaplane departure, try to catch a ranger program, or just hang out and relax and soak up your last day in the wilderness.
Isle Royale itinerary: Two to five days in Rock Harbor and Windigo
If you want to split your time between both sides of Isle Royale, we would recommend three days in Rock Harbor and two days in Windigo.
Day 1: Arrive to Rock Harbor mid-day. Hike out to Scoville Point in the afternoon.
Day 2: Take a morning tour with the Rock Harbor Lodge. In the afternoon, rent a canoe or kayak and do some paddling in the lake and harbor.
Day 3: Choose a longer day hike, such as the hike from Hidden Lake to Lookout Louise and Mount Franklin, or the hike to Ojibway Tower.
Day 4: Catch a morning flight to Windigo. Choose either the Grace Creek Overlook Trail and Windigo Nature Trail (for views and educational info on the island) or the Huginnin Cove Loop (for forest walks and a secluded cove). If you have time, do an evening paddle out to Beaver Island or up Washington Creek.
Day 5: Catch the morning ferry back to the mainland. If you have more time waiting for a seaplane departure, we recommend just relaxing by the harbor or the creek and doing some wildlife spotting.
Isle Royale itineraries for the backpacker
If you want to backpack, there are so many different Isle Royale itineraries you can choose from!
If you are coming to Isle Royale for backpacking, the options are endless. You can do a quick overnight trip on the trails, or you can spend a week or more in the Isle Royale wilderness. To get an idea of possible Isle Royale backpacking itineraries, head on over to our Isle Royale backpacking guide to help you plan out a route.
If you do decide to go backpacking, we recommend staying in the park an extra day or two before or after the backpacking trip to check out some of the things to do in Isle Royale in either Rock Harbor or Windigo. One extra day in either would be sufficient to do one of the day hikes, relax, and/or take a tour with the Rock Harbor Lodge.
We backpacked the Greenstone Ridge Trail, but spent some extra time in both Rock Harbor and Windigo before and after. Here is what our Isle Royale itinerary looked like:
Day 1: Arrive to Rock Harbor mid-afternoon. Hike the Scoville Point Trail. Head to Three Mile Campground to the start the Greenstone Ridge Trail.
Day 2-5: Hike the Greenstone Ridge Trail to Windigo.
Day 6: Hike Grace Creek Overlook and the Windigo Nature Trail. Relax along Washington Creek and spot moose and otters.
Day 7: Leave on the early morning ferry.
More Information For Your Isle Royale National Park Trip
If this list of things to do in Isle Royale National Park sparked your interest and has you wanting to plan your trip to the island, then make sure to check out all our Isle Royale National Park guides to help you plan! We go over everything from how to get to Isle Royale, where to stay, information you need for planning a backpacking trip, how to do just a day trip to Isle Royale, and much, much more.
ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK GUIDE – Check out our complete Isle Royale National park guide to learn all the ways to get to the park, where to stay, when to go, and more!
ISLE ROYALE DAY TRIP – Only have a day to visit Isle Royale National Park? Check out our Isle Royale day trip guide to learn how to visit in just one day and what you can do with your time.
DAY HIKES IN ISLE ROYALE – Check out all the day hike options in Isle Royale from both Rock Harbor and Windigo!
THE GREENSTONE RIDGE TRAIL– Are you looking for the ultimate backpacking trip in Isle Royale National Park? Check out our guide to the Greenstone Ridge Trail, a 40+ mile hiking trail that traverses the island from Rock Harbor to Windigo. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your hike. Also be sure to read our more general guide to backpacking in Isle Royale to get general tips and learn about other Isle Royale backpacking routes.
SCOVILLE POINT – Check out our guide to hiking to Scoville Point in Isle Royale if you’re interested in a short and easy but super picturesque hike on the island!
We hope this list of things to do in Isle Royale National Park is helpful as you plan your trip! Have you been to Isle Royale? What would you add to this list? And feel free to ask us any questions in the comments below to help you plan your Isle Royale itinerary!