A Wilderness Worth Protecting

An Isle Royale park ranger welcomes visitors to their national park.

Margaret Barse

What makes Isle Royale a place worth protecting? When the National Park was established in 1940, its enabling legislation set apart a remote island archipelago and the surrounding Lake Superior waters “for the benefit and enjoyment of the public and to preserve and protect its wilderness character, cultural and natural resources, scenery, and ecological processes.” As Isle Royale National Park celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2025, we work to ensure sustainable operations and resources for the next 85 years.

For National Park Service staff, being entrusted with the care of your public lands is a job we love. To do it well we need – and welcome – everyone: Volunteers, who donate their time to paint camp shelters and survey trails. Nonprofit partners, who fund special projects and support initiatives like lessening dependenace on fossil fuels. Concessions, who provide transportation and services like fishing charters. And yes, visitors, who return to Isle Royale again and again to camp, hike, fish, boat, and paddle.

Whether you are visiting Isle Royale virtually, for the first time, or the tenth time, I trust your experience will be rewarding! Isle Royale presents both opportunities and challenges, some that may surprise you. Be safe, enjoy your explorations, and when you ask yourself “how can I help Isle Royale persist?” listen with your head, heart, and all your senses.

Denice Swanke
Isle Royale National Park Superintendent