Isle Royale National Park - Michigan

Address:Houghton, Michigan
Tel: (906) 482-0984

This pristine Great Lakes forested island in Upper Michigan has a very remote location which contributes to its stunning, unspoiled beauty (it is only accessible by boat or plane). According to National Geographic, the average visitor to Isle Royale stays three-and-a-half days, compared to an average of just four hours at other national parks. If you visit in the summer, you'll have endless boating, swimming, scuba diving, and exploring opportunities along the park's rugged coastline. Keep in mind that even in the summer, daily temperatures only average in the 70s.
The park houses old copper mines, historic fisheries, and lighthouses which can still be viewed today. Rock Harbor is a great area to hike, with its boreal forests, fantastic views, and caves. If you hike Scoville Point you'll encounter paper birch tree forests, great views of Lake Superior, and an ancient Indian mine pit. Always be on the lookout for huge moose and packs of gray wolves that help make the park (in)famous.

Wolves and moose, the wild North Woods forest, ever changing weather and a cool climate, and the crystal clear waters and rugged shoreline of Lake Superior characterize Isle Royale National Park. 99% of the land mass is federally designated wilderness, and it is 45 miles long and nine miles wide at its widest point. The park encompasses a total area of 850 square miles including submerged lands which extends 4 1/2 miles out into Lake Superior. The archipelago is composed of many parallel ridges resulting from ancient lava flows which were tilted and glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for backpackers, paddlers, and recreational boaters. There is excellent fishing, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites, and plenty of spots to observe wildlife. Roadless Isle Royale is accessible only by boat or float plane. Dogs, cats, and other pets are not allowed within park boundaries. Isle Royale is relatively untouched by direct outside influences and serves as a living laboratory and is a United States Biosphere Reserve.