There are 35 campgrounds scattered around Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. Some campgrounds offer fantastic views of Lake Superior. Other campgrounds are nestled between lush green woodlands and quiet lakes, where you might hear the occasional lonely call of a loon. All are accessible only by foot or watercraft, and all are first-come, first-served except for groups of 7 or more people, where advance group camping reservations are required.
A Campsite at Desor South Campground, Isle Royale National Park / David Fulmer via Flickr
According to park staff:
Permits are required, regardless of group size or method of travel, for all overnight stays at campgrounds, cross country sites, docks, or at anchor. Permits are free for parties of six or fewer or boaters.
- For a party of six or fewer (small-party), free permits are obtained when you arrive in Rock Harbor, Windigo, or aboard Ranger III. When you arrive at a campground for the evening, campsites are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Your permit does not reserve campgrounds. There are no limits on the number of permits issued.
- Parties with separate overnight permits, but sharing the same affiliation (camp, school, church, scout group, organization, family, friends, etc. or any combination thereof) may not travel or camp within one half (0.5) mile of each other.
- For a party of seven or more (group camping), groups must have advance reservations. There is a $25 per permit fee.
- Boaters staying overnight in the park also need free permits.
Permits should be displayed on a backpack when hiking and on a tent or shelter when at camp. Please follow camping regulations during your visit.
For boaters or parties of six or fewer, there is no additional fee to camp overnight in the park.
- Advance group camping reservations are required for groups of seven or more individuals, including leaders.
- If you have seven or more in your camping group, and do not obtain advanced reservations before arriving on-island, you may be required to leave the island immediately and subject to park fines.
- Maximum group size is 20 people on the island at one time.
- If your group exceeds 10, you must split into two or more parties (of 10 or less), each traveling on completely separate itineraries. Groups traveling as two or more small-parties (1 - 6 people), must still make reservations.
- Who reserves group campsites? Groups with a party of seven to ten people may only camp in reserved group campsites.
- Required to follow planned itinerary: Groups of 7 or more people, including groups splitting into multiple parties regardless of party size, are required to follow the reserved itineraries.
- Entrance fees are required in addition to any group reservation requests.
Below is a table of campgrounds at Isle Royale National Park.
Campground | Consecutive Night Stay Limit | Indiv Tent Sites | Shelters | Group Tent Sites | Fire Ring/Grill | Depth At Dock | Onboard Generator Use Allowed |
Beaver Island | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | None | 2'-5' | Yes |
Belle Isle | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Standing Grill | 13' | Yes |
Birch Island | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | None | 5' | No |
Caribou Island | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Fire Ring | 10' | Yes |
Chickenbone E. | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | None | N/A | N/A |
Chickenbone W. | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | None | N/A | N/A |
Chippewa Harbor | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | Standing Grill | 7' | No |
Daisy Farm | 3 | 6 | 16 | 3 | None | 9' | No |
Desor N. | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | None | N/A | N/A |
Desor S. | 2 | 7 | 0 | 3 | None | N/A | N/A |
Duncan Bay | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Standing Grill | 6' | No |
Duncan Narrows | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Standing Grill | 6' | No |
Feldtmann Lake | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | None | N/A | N/A |
Grace Island | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | None | 2'-4' | Yes |
Hatchet Lake | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | None | N/A | N/A |
Hay Bay | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | None | 3'-7' | Yes |
Huginnin Cove | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | None | N/A | N/A |
Intermediate Lake | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | None | N/A | N/A |
Island Mine | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Standing Grill | N/A | N/A |
Lake Richie | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | None | N/A | N/A |
Lake Richie Canoe | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | None | N/A | N/A |
Lake Whittlesey | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | None | N/A | N/A |
Lane Cove | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | None | N/A | N/A |
Little Todd | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Standing Grill | N/A | N/A |
Malone Bay | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | Standing Grill | 3'-6' | Yes |
McCargoe Cove | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | Fire Ring | 7' | No |
Merritt Lane | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | None | 8' | No |
Moskey Basin | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | None | 8' | No |
Pickerel Cove | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | None | N/A | N/A |
Rock Harbor | 1 | 11 | 9 | 3 | None | 3'-12' | Yes |
Siskiwit Bay | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Fire Ring | 2'-6' | No |
Three Mile | 1 | 4 | 8 | 3 | None | 9' | No |
Todd Harbor | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | Fire Ring | 2' | No |
Tookers Island | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | None | 7' | No |
Washington Creek | 3 | 5 | 10 | 4 | None | 4'-20' | Yes |
Cross-Country Camping
Since you can hike off-trail at Isle Royale, you can also camp outside of designated campgrounds at Isle Royale National Park. Cross-country camping is intended for those seeking a higher level of solitude, adventure, self-sufficiency, and low impact camping in a wilderness setting.
According to park staff:
Cross-country camping is not intended for overflow camping or to shorten travel between campsites, and is recommended for experienced backpackers or paddlers who are familiar with Isle Royale. The terrain is rough, there are many swamps, and the vegetation is thick. Day hiking off-trail may be a preferred alternative for those who have not cross-country camped before. A map of the park, a compass with knowledge on how to use it, and selecting a low-impact site early in the day are essential.
Cross-country campers are required to follow special, additional regulations designed to protect the park's wilderness resources and visitor experiences. The cross-country camping permit is an additional permit that is issued upon arrival to the park or on board the park vessel, Ranger III.
All trip participants should practice Leave No Trace ethics and must understand and observe the following regulations.
Cross-country Camping Regulations
- Individual parties of 1-6 only are permitted to camp in cross-country areas.
- Camping is permitted only in zones identified on your camping permit and the attached cross-country zone map (see top of page).
- All islands on inland lakes and islands in Lake Superior (excluding the main island of Isle Royale) are closed to cross-country camping.
- Your campsite must be at least 1/4 mile away from any trail and at least a 1/2 mile away from all developed areas, designated campgrounds, and fire towers.
- Your campsite must be at least 200 feet / 61 meters (or 75 paces) away from all bodies of water, and out of sight of the water. You must also camp out of sight and sound of other cross-country campers.
- Maximum stay at any one location is one night. Tents and camping gear must be moved at least 1/2 mile from the previous night's stay.
- No fires are permitted.
- Carry out all your trash.
- Artificial lures and barbless hooks only on all inland lakes and streams.
- Brook Trout/Coaster Brook Trout - catch and release only. No possession allowed.
Complete fishing regulations are listed in the most current park newspaper.
Map of cross-country camping zones and regulations, Isle Royale National Park / NPS-Jacob Bonessi
Note: Cross country zones 10, 9A, 8A, 12A, and 11A are currently closed. Closures will remain in effect until damage from the 2021 Horne Fire and the 2022 Mount Franklin Fire can be assessed. Check current conditions for the most up to date information.
For more information about backpacking and camping, and to generate specific campground tables (campgrounds with group sites only, campgrounds by trails only, campgrounds by water only, inland lake campgrounds only), click here.
Check out the park’s Camping FAQs page. If you have camping questions, you might find the answer you need there.
