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Isle Royale National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: Michigan

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Explore a rugged, isolated island far from our connected communities. Isle Royale offers adventures for backpackers, hikers, boaters, paddlers, and divers. Cross Lake Superior and make a commitment: Become a part of this island, and let it become a part of you. Find peace and refuge in island wilderness – because Isle Royale, in turn, finds refuge in us. Help Isle Royale stay wild.

🌤 Weather Information

Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior. Weather influences traveling to and from the island, as well as your trip once you arrive. For the most up-to-date weather information, call (906) 482-0984 or email isro_parkinfo@nps.gov prior to your trip.

🚗 Directions

Isle Royale National Park headquarters is located in Houghton, MI. Visit the Houghton page on the Isle Royale National Park website for additional information and a map on how to access the visitor center.

Images

View from above the trees looking down at Duncan Bay Narrows, trees, Lake Superior, and Canada.

Isle Royale, located in the northwestern corner of Lake Superior, offers views of the Canadian shoreline.

Credit: NPS / Paul Brown

Ice floes float in a harbor

Isle Royale National Park is closed in winter, with the exception of a few visiting researchers.

Credit: NPS Photo / Paul Brown

Aerial View of Belle Harbor

Isle Royale is also called Minong, which means "the good place" by the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Minong is a part of the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe/Ojibwe peoples who have cared for these lands from time immemorial.

Credit: NPS Photo / Paul Brown

Young bull moose browsing for food

Moose are one of the few mammal species who have journeyed to the island.

Credit: NPS Photo / Paul Brown

Aerial view of Rock of Ages Lighthouse

Rock of Ages is one of four lighthouses at Isle Royale National Park.

Credit: NPS Photo / Paul Brown

Diverse colored Aurora Borealis in the night sky

Isle Royale National Park's dark skies make it an excellent location to enjoy nighttime phenomenon, like the Aurora Borealis.

Credit: NPS Photo / Paul Brown

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person
$7 per person per day to enter or remain in Isle Royale National Park. Children 15 and younger are exempt. Visiting Park Headquarters in Houghton, MI does not require a fee.
$7.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Isle Royale Season Pass: $60 valid from April 16 through October 31 of the year indicated. Pass covers fees for the pass holder and up to three adults traveling with the pass holder (four total).
$60.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Saturday, Sep 5

Sunny

Sunny

High: 68°F | Low: 55.2°F

Humidity: 80%

Wind: 8.7 mph

Rain Chance: 36%

UV Index: 5.6

Sunrise: 07:20 AM

Sunset: 08:30 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (29%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 57.5°F

Cloud Cover: 36%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Sep 6

Sunny

Sunny

High: 68.2°F | Low: 61.4°F

Humidity: 81%

Wind: 5.6 mph

Rain Chance: 14%

UV Index: 5.2

Sunrise: 07:21 AM

Sunset: 08:28 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (20%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 60.7°F

Cloud Cover: 14%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Sep 7

Overcast

Overcast

High: 68.8°F | Low: 61.7°F

Humidity: 82%

Wind: 15.4 mph

Rain Chance: 20%

UV Index: 5.3

Sunrise: 07:23 AM

Sunset: 08:26 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (12%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 61.3°F

Cloud Cover: 20%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Small Craft Advisory (Minor)
▼

Small Craft Advisory issued September 4 at 9:11AM CDT until September 5 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN

Effective: Sep 4, 2026 10:11am
Expires: Sep 5, 2026 2:00am

* WHAT...Northeast winds 10 to 20 kt gusting to 30 knots and
waves 2 to 4 ft.

* WHERE...Grand Portage to Two Harbors MN.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

Park Alerts

Middle Islands Passage Buoy Off Course Caution
The navigational buoy at Middle Islands Passage is off course. Use caution boating in this area until buoy can be re-set.
Malone Bay Campground Shelters Reserved July 21 - July 24, 2026 Park Closure
At Malone Bay, July 21 - 24, 2026, all shelters are reserved for a permitted youth group. The dock is open per normal regulations. Tent camping is available in the group campsites.
New Food Storage Guidelines to Reduce Human - Wildlife Interactions Caution
In response to wolves accessing human food and garbage in and around Rock Harbor and campgrounds located on the east end of the island, new food storage guidelines to ensure the safety of visitors and wildlife are in effect.
Visitor Centers are Closed for the Season Park Closure
All park visitor centers have closed for the season. This includes the Houghton, Rock Harbor, & Windigo/Ozaagaateng Visitor Centers.
Merritt Lane Campground Closed Park Closure
Due to the Red Rocks Fire, Merritt Lane Campground, including the tent site, shelter, and dock, is closed. Merritt Lane Campground is also closed to day use. Off-trail camping zone 9 is closed. This closure remains in effect until further notice and is necessary to ensure visitor health and safety. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.
Isle Royale National Park to Reopen April 16, 2026 Park Closure
From November 1 - April 15 annually, Isle Royale and its surrounding islands are closed to all visitors. Lake Superior waters are open to navigation. All islands reopen April 16. Call (906) 482-0984 to discuss trip planning, obtain permits, or pay fees.
Food Storage Regulations in Effect Information
Proper food storage is required on Isle Royale. All food, trash, scented items, cooking supplies, cooking utensils, and fish/fish parts must be stored properly. To learn more about food storage and to learn how to properly store your food, trash, and scented items, click "more."

More Info

Duncan Narrows Campground Closed Park Closure
Duncan Narrows Campground is closed, including Duncan Narrows tent site, shelters, and dock. Day use of the campground is also closed. This closure is necessary due to the increasing frequency of wolf-human interactions, and continued non-compliance with food storage regulations. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.
Red Rocks Fire Burning on Isle Royale Danger
On the morning of July 14, 2026, Isle Royale National Park staff confirmed a small fire burning in Tobin Harbor on Red Rock Point. This incident is hereby known as the Red Rocks Fire. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Staff are monitoring the site. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Tent Camping Closed at Three Mile Campground Park Closure
Due to increased human-wildlife interactions and food storage concerns, individual tent sites and group sites at Three Mile Campground are currently closed. Tent and hammock camping are not permitted anywhere within the campground. Off-trail camping zones 11, 12, and 33 are closed. Shelters remain open. Food, trash, and scented items must be stored in animal-resistant, hard-sided containers or food storage lockers. Backpacks must be stored in shelters. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931

🏤 Mailing Address:
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931

📞 Voice Phone: 9064820984

✉️ Email: isro_parkinfo@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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