Accessibility

 

We are continually working to upgrade facilities and improve park access for visitors. While not all facilities are fully accessible, park rangers are happy to assist visitors. If you have comments or suggestions about facilities, services, or programs, please contact the park.

 

Welcome to the Houghton Visitor Center.

NPS

Physical/Mobility

Visitor Centers

• Houghton: Accessible entrance and restrooms.

• Rock Harbor: Accessible entrance. Accessible restrooms are located near the Rock Harbor Lodge's Greenstone Grill. Visitor Center staff operate a golf cart that assists visitors to and from the visitor center, Rock Harbor Lodge, and restrooms. The golf cart does have high clearance and can be difficult to load and disembark. Please contact the park and your ferry or seaplane transportation provider prior to arrival.
• Windigo: Accessible restrooms near the dock, though the surface is uneven accessing them. The visitor center is located up a 19% grade, though the building entrance is accessible. Visitor Center staff operate a golf cart that assists visitors to and from the visitor center, store, and restrooms. The golf cart does have high clearance and can be difficult to load and disembark. Please contact the park and your ferry or seaplane transportation provider prior to arrival. Rangers are happy to assist as needed, but prior communication assures the cart and rangers are available when needed.

Ranger III

Please inform staff when making reservations to facilitate assistance. Ranger III crew will gladly assist with loading and unloading up and down the gangplanks. On the lower deck, the Ranger III Grill and restrooms are accessible.

Programs

• Houghton: Summer programs held at the Portage Lake District Library are accessible.
• Rock Harbor: Evening programs in the Rock Harbor Auditorium are accessible. The northeast entrance is ramp accessible, though twenty-five feet from the paved trail to the ramp are uneven. Guided walks along paved trails may be accessible. Inquire at the Rock Harbor Visitor Center.
• Windigo: Programs held in the visitor center and in the pavilion near the dock are accessible. Inquire at the Windigo Visitor Center

MV Sandy Boat Tours

MV Sandy can accommodate a wheelchair. Loading and unloading may be tricky depending on water levels. The boat tour is accessible, but hikes during the tours are not accessible (Passage Island, Lookout Louise, Edisen Fishery, and Raspberry Island). Contact the Rock Harbor Lodge prior to visiting to make arrangements.

Campsites

At the Daisy Farm and Rock Harbor Campgrounds, there is one accessible shelter. However, trails to those shelters are not accessible.

 

Deaf/Hearing Loss

• Closed captioning shown on the park film at the Houghton Visitor Center.
• Accessible Leave No Trace camping orientation scripts are available upon request at any visitor center.

Blind/Low Vision

Braille, audio-only, and text-only versions of the Isle Royale Unigrid brochure are available on the Blind/Low Vision page.

 

Service Dogs

Service dogs are welcome on Isle Royale. However, a veterinary certificate must be obtained prior to your trip. Obtaining this certificate involves receiving the proper paperwork from the park, consulting a licensed veterinarian no more than 15 days prior to your park visit, and having the certificate signed by the park superintendent or representative. Consult the service dog webpage for specific details. Without this service dog certificate, per park policy, your dog will not be allowed on Isle Royale.

Veterinary Certificates must be received by the park 48 hours (two business days) prior to island departure to accommodate processing.

Intellectual/Learning

Please contact the park two weeks prior to your visit for any special requests or considerations during your visit. Park rangers are usually able to accommodate most requests with advance notice.

 

Interagency Access Pass

This pass is a free lifetime pass available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have a permanent disability regardless of age. The pass is available in-person at any park visitor center. This pass may be used to wave the Isle Royale National Park entrance fee for the cardholder and up to three additional adults. Learn more about the Access Pass.