Thing to Do

Greenstone Section 5: Hike from Hatchet Lake to Ishpeming Tower

Isle Royale National Park

View of Lake, island, and lighthouse in the distance.
The Isle Royale Lighthouse on Menagerie Island can be spotted from this section of trail.

NPS / DERRICK JAEGER

 About this Trail

  • Mileage: About 3.8 miles

  • Overgrown vegetation near trail

  • Changing trail conditions require a map, compass, and navigation skills

Trailheads

Ascending the Greenstone Ridge Trail from the Hatchet Lake Campground is short but steep. Once you climb on top of the ridge you are rewarded with an excellent view (on a clear day) of Siskiwit Lake, Siskiwit Bay, Malone Bay, and the Isle Royale Lighthouse. This trail section offers forested wilderness, ridgetop treks, and scenic viewing points sprinkled throughout. Ishpeming Tower will surprise you at the end of this trail section as it pops out of the forest without warning. The tower is no longer staffed and is used for research.

Diverge from the Greenstone and Hike to Malone

At the Ishpeming Tower is the junction to Ishpeming Trail which leads to Malone Bay Campground. This alternative route is about 7 miles long. The Ishpeming Trail is less traveled and minimally maintained for the ultimate wilderness experience. Water access for purifying isn't available until about 3.5 miles down the Ishpeming Trail at Siskiwit Lake. There is a ranger station at Malone Bay that is intermittently staffed. Check in with the park before your trip for the most up-to-date information. There is a dock at Malone Bay where the ferry, the Voyageur II, offers passenger transportation. Reservations for the Voyageur II are necessary ahead of time. The ferry only services Malone Bay if people have made reservations in advance.


Found Nearby

Details
Duration
1 Day
Activity
Backcountry Camping
Pets Allowed
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Hatchet Lake at Isle Royale National Park
Reservations
No
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Accessibility Information
The trail is 18 inches wide and covered in rocks and roots.

Isle Royale National Park

Tags


Hatchet Lake Campground

Closed
Basic Information
Image of campground site
Hatchet Lake Campground is located on Hatchet Lake off of the Hatchet Lake Trail. This campground is located near the center of the island.

Stay Limit: 2 nights from June 1 – Labor Day annually.
Access: Foot

TOTAL SITES: 8
Electric Hookups: 0
RV Only: 0
Tent Only: 5
Walk to/Boat to: 8
Group: 3
Horse: 0
Other: 0

Image Gallery
A tent at an individual tent site with a view of Hatchet Lake in the fall.
Hatchet Lake Campground is a popular stop for backpackers along the Greenstone Ridge Trail.
NPS / Katie Keller
Blue tent at campsite amongst trees with lake visible in distance.
Hatchet Lake is a major campground stop along the Greenstone Ridge Trail.
NPS
Accessibility Information

ADA Information - Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.

Wheelchair Access - No wheelchair access.

RV & Trailer Information - No RV/Trailer access.

RV Allowed - No

Trailer Allowed - No

Classification - This campground is a primitive camping area.

South Lake Desor Campground

Closed
Basic Information
Image of campground site
South Lake Desor Campground is located inland on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge Trail. There is no canoe/kayak/boat access.

Stay Limit: 2 nights effective from June 1 – Labor Day.
Access: Foot
TOTAL SITES: 10
Electric Hookups: 0
RV Only: 0
Tent Only: 7
Walk to/Boat to: 10
Group: 3
Horse: 0
Other: 0

Image Gallery
Aerial view of the blue waters of Lake Desor surrounded by a green hardwood forest.
Lake Desor is the second largest inland lake at Isle Royale National Park.
NPS / Paul Brown
Soft sunset at South Lake Desor Campground.
South Lake Desor Campground is a great place for sunsets.
NPS / Katie Keller
A tent on a bare patch of ground surrounded by trees at South Desor Campground.
A tent site at South Desor Campground
NPS / Katie Keller
Accessibility Information

ADA Information - Uneven, rough terrain throughout camp. Facilities are not accessible.

Wheelchair Access - No wheelchair access.

RV & Trailer Information - No RV/Trailer access.

RV Allowed - No

Trailer Allowed - No

Classification - This campground is a primitive camping area.

Malone Bay Campground

Closed
Basic Information
Image of campground site
Malone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Ishpeming Trail. Boats can overnight at dock. A ranger station, information station, and dock can be found just further east of the campground. The ranger station is not always staffed.

Stay Limit: 3 nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually.
Shelters: 5
Depth at dock (normal conditions): 3’-6’.
Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat
TOTAL SITES: 7
Electric Hookups: 0
RV Only: 0
Tent Only: 0
Walk to/Boat to: 7
Group: 2
Horse: 0
Other: 5

Image Gallery
View of the blue waters of Malone Bay from the shoreline.
Malone Bay Campground is a popular spot on the south shore of the park.
NPS / Paul Brown
A shelter sits on the Lake Superior shoreline.
Malone Bay Campground has shelters that overlook Lake Superior
NPS / Val Martin
Trail in a field to two shelters along the forest's edge.
There are 5 shelters and no small-party tent sites at Malone Bay Campground.
NPS / Val Martin
Accessibility Information

ADA Information - Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.

Wheelchair Access - No wheelchair access.

RV & Trailer Information - No RV/Trailer access.

RV Allowed - No

Trailer Allowed - No

Classification - This campground is a limited development campground.

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Last updated: February 23, 2022