Directions & Transportation

 

Getting to Isle Royale in Three Easy Steps

 

Two important things to know when planning your trip:

1. Isle Royale National Park is closed to all visitors from November 1 until April 15. Operating Hours & Seasons
2. The ferries and seaplane provide transportation for the public from the middle of May until September. Check their websites for their schedule.

Planning a trip to Isle Royale may feel complicated. All is well, traveling to the island can be broken down into three steps.

1. Travel to Michigan or Minnesota

• Isle Royale is an island in Lake Superior.
• Transportation options are for people only.
  • Your vehicle remains on the mainland.

 

2. Catch Your Island Transportation

• Will you travel by ferry, seaplane, or private boat?
• Travel from Houghton, Copper Harbor, or Grand Portage.

3. Where Will You Arrive on the Island?

• East End: Rock Harbor
• West End: Windigo

 

Departing From Michigan

 

Departing from Houghton, Michigan Aboard the Ranger III or Isle Royale Seaplanes

Step 1: Travel to Houghton, Michigan

• Vehicle: Houghton is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is 200 miles north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, 400 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, and 250 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. Houghton is located off US-41 at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

• Airplane: United Airlines provides daily flights to the Houghton County Memorial Airport, located eight miles north of Houghton on US-41.

• Bus: Indian Trails offers daily service to Houghton, Michigan.

Step 2: Travel to Houghton Transportation Departure Location

• Ferry: Ranger III serviced at the Park’s Mainland Headquarters located at 800 E. Lakeshore Dr., Houghton, Michigan.

• Seaplane: Isle Royale Seaplanes is located on Torch Lake, 26998 W 16th, Hubbell, MI 49934

Step 3: Arrive at Isle Royale National Park

• 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.

 

Departing from Copper Harbor, Michigan Aboard Isle Royale Queen IV

Step 1: Travel to Copper Harbor, Michigan

• Vehicle: 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 north of Houghton, Michigan.

• Airplane: United Airlines provides daily flights to the Houghton County Memorial Airport, located 44 miles south of Copper Harbor on US-41.

• Bus: Unavailable

Step 2: Travel to Copper Harbor Transportation Departure Location

• Ferry: Isle Royale Queen IV serviced by the Isle Royale Line located at 14 Waterfront Landing, Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918.

• Seaplane: Unavailable

Step 3: Arrive at Isle Royale National Park

• 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

 

Departing from Grand Portage, Minnesota Aboard the Voyageur II or Sea Hunter III

Step 1: Travel to Grand Portage, Minnesota

• Vehicle: Grand Portage, located in Minnesota's northeastern section, is 150 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota. It is located off US-61 50 miles southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

• Airplane: The closest airport, Thunder Bay International, is 50 miles northeast of Grand Portage. The Duluth International Airport is located 150 miles south of Grand Portage.

• Bus: 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.

Step 2: Travel to Grand Portage Transportation Departure Location

• Ferry: Voyageur II and Sea Hunter III are serviced from the Grand Portage Marina located at 402 Upper Rd, Grand Portage, Minnesota 55605.

• Seaplane: Not available.

Step 3: 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.

 

Transportation Options

 

• 

  RANGER III Main Page

  The RANGER III passenger ferry operates between Houghton, MI and Rock Harbor, MI.

• 

  Copper Harbor, MI

  QUEEN IV

  The ISLE ROYALE QUEEN IV passenger ferry operates between Copper Harbor, MI and Rock Harbor, MI.

• 

  Grand Portage, MN

  SEA HUNTER III

  The SEA HUNTER III passenger ferry operates between Grand Portage, MN to Windigo, MI.

• 

  Grand Portage, MN

  VOYAGEUR II

  The VOYAGEUR II passenger ferry operates from Grand Portage, MN, to Windigo and Rock Harbor, MI.

• 

  Hancock, MI

  Seaplane Transportation

  Reserve seaplane transportation to and from the island ahead of time.

• 

  Boaters

  Boating at Isle Royale

  Explore Isle Royale with your private boat.

 

RANGER III Availability

Ranger III Reservation Availability