Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is an island and part of an archipelago of 400 smaller islands. The only way you can access the park, itself, is via private boat, ferry, or seaplane. Of course, you will still need to drive or fly to your starting point in Michigan, Minnesota, or even Canada, then park your car and leave it on the mainland. Ferry, boat, and plane options are for people transportation only.
Seaplane and ferry map to Isle Royale National Park / NPS file
Departing From Michigan
Houghton is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is 200 miles (321.9 km) north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, 400 miles (643.7 km) north of Chicago, Illinois, and 250 miles (402.3 km) west of the Mackinac Bridge. Houghton is located off US-41 at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The nearest airport is the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) in Houghton, Michigan. The NPS website indicates the airport serves American Airlines, but a check on Google shows United Airlines also flies there (instead of Houghton, United calls the town Hancock, but the airport code is the same). Just remember, smaller airports mean fewer arrival and departure time choices.
The next largest airport is around 4 hours’ drive southeast of Houghton at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB).
Indian Trails charter bus service also stops in Houghton.
Departing From Houghton Via Ferry Or Seaplane
Ranger III serviced at the Park’s Mainland Headquarters located at 800 E. Lakeshore Dr., Houghton, Michigan.
Isle Royale Seaplanes is located on Torch Lake, 26998 W 16th, Hubbell, MI 49934.
Arrive at Rock Harbor via Ranger III or seaplane
- Ranger III travel time: 6 hours
- Outbound Departure at 9:00 am eastern time/8:00 am central time
- Arrive to Rock Harbor at 3:00 pm eastern time/2:00 pm central time
- Seaplane travel time: about 40 minutes
- Continue to Windigo via Voyageur II or seaplane from Rock Harbor.
Travel to Copper Harbor, Michigan
Copper Harbor is located at the tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is located off US-41 just 52 miles (83.7 km) north of Houghton, Michigan.
The nearest airport will be the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) in Houghton, Michigan, 44 miles (70.8 km) south of Copper Harbor. There is no bus service available to Copper Harbor, so you will need to rent a car or take a taxi or other ride share service to get there.
There is no seaplane from Copper Harbor to Isle Royale National Park. The only mode of transportation to the park is via the Isle Royale Queen IV serviced by the Isle Royale Line located at 14 Waterfront Landing, Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918.
- Arrive at Rock Harbor via Isle Royale Queen IV.
- Travel Time: 3.5 hours
- Outbound Departure at 8:00 am eastern time
- Arrive to Rock Harbor at 11:30 am eastern time
- Continue to Windigo via Voyageur II or seaplane from Rock Harbor.
Departing From Minnesota
Grand Portage, located in Minnesota's northeastern section, is 150 miles (241.4 km) north of Duluth, Minnesota. It is located off US-61 50 miles (80.5 km) southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
The closest airport, Thunder Bay International (YQT), is 50 miles (80.5 km) northeast of Grand Portage. The Duluth International Airport (DLH) is located 150 miles (241.4 km) south of Grand Portage.
Arrowhead Transit offers service between Duluth and Grand Marais with stops along the North Shore of Minnesota on Tuesdays. Shuttles then run between Grand Marais and Grand Portage every weekday.
Departing Grand Portage Via Ferry
Voyageur II and Sea Hunter III are serviced from the Grand Portage Marina located at 402 Upper Rd, Grand Portage, Minnesota 55605.
There is no seaplane available from Grand Portage.
Arrive at Isle Royale National Park
- Arrive at Windigo via Voyageur II or Sea Hunter III.
- Voyageur II travel time: 2 hours.
- Outbound Departure at 8:30 am eastern time/ 7:30 am central time
- Arrive to Windigo at 10:30 am eastern time/9:30 am central time
- Sea Hunter III travel time: 1.5 hours.
- Outbound Departure at 9:30 am eastern time/8:30 am central time
- Arrive to Windigo at 11:00 am eastern time/10:00 am central time
- Continue to Rock Harbor via Voyageur II or seaplane from Windigo.
- Voyageur II travel time: 5 hours.
- Arrive to Rock Harbor at 4:00 pm eastern time/3:00 pm central time aboard Voyageur II.
Departing Canada To Isle Royale
If you are a recreational boater departing from Canada, you must clear Customs prior to your arrival at Isle Royale. This can be done ahead of time by one of three ways:
- CBP Reporting Offsite Arrival - Mobile ROAM App
- Only available with connectivity in U.S. waters.
As a last resort, you can get Customs clearance on-island at Rock Harbor, the only entry location where Customs clearance is available. Expect to encounter long wait times of multiple hours for park law enforcement officials to become available.
Customs clearance for private seaplane passengers is not available on Isle Royale. Private seaplaners flying to Isle Royale from Canada need to go to a mainland port of entry prior to arriving on-island.
You can stock up on some supplies or purchase something you might have forgotten to pack for your trip at either the Rock Harbor (northeast end of the island) or Washington Harbor (southwest end of the island) stores which sell freeze-dried foods, camping meals, a standard selection of groceries, fish tackle, and other supplies including isobutane mixed gas and white gas fuel and shower tokens.
Sunset over the Ranger III at Rock Harbor, Isle Royale National Park / NPS - Michael Palko
