Backpack the Greenstone Ridge Trail

• Rock Harbor
• Hidden Lake
  • Only accessible by private boat or water taxi. 
• Windigo

Start at Rock Harbor

• Night 1: Rock Harbor Campground

  • Take a zero day and soak in the island atmosphere.

• Night 2: Daisy Farm Campground
  • Via Tobin Harbor/Rock Harbor Trails, Mount Franklin Trail, Greenstone Ridge Trail, and Mount Ojibway/Daisy Farm Trail (more than 9 miles)

• Night 3: East or West Chickenbone Campgrounds

  • These campgrounds are 1.6 miles apart.
  • Via Ojibway Trail or Daisy Farm Trail and Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 4: Hatchet Lake Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 5: South Lake Desor Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 6: Island Mine Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 5.5 miles)
• Night 7: Washington Creek Campground near Windigo
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 6.6 miles)

Start at Windigo

• Night 1: Island Mine Campground

  • Consider taking a zero day and staying at Washington Creek Campground near Windigo instead.

  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 6.6 miles)

• Night 2: South Lake Desor Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 5.5 miles)
• Night 3: Hatchet Lake Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 4: West or East Chickenbone Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 5: Daisy Farm Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail, Daisy Farm Trail, or Ojibway Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 6: Rock Harbor Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail, Mount Franklin Trail, Tobin Harbor Trail, or Rock Harbor Trail (about 9 miles)

Start at Hidden Lake

Hidden Lake is only accessible by private boat or water taxi.

• Night 1: Rock Harbor Campground

  • Take a zero day and secure arrangements to get to Hidden Lake Dock via water taxi from the Rock Harbor Lodge
• Night 2: Three Mile Campground
  • Get dropped off at Hidden Lake Dock in the morning by a water taxi
  • Via Tobin Harbor Trail or Rock Harbor Trail (about 8 miles)

• Night 3: East or West Chickenbone Campground

  • These campgrounds are 1.6 miles apart
  • Via Mount Franklin Trail and Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 10.5 miles)
• Night 4: Hatchet Lake Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 5: South Lake Desor Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 8 miles)
• Night 6: Island Mine Campground
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 5.5 miles)
• Night 7: Washington Creek Campground near Windigo
  • Via Greenstone Ridge Trail (about 6.6 miles)

Transportation

• Planning a trip to Isle Royale can feel complicated. Figuring out your transportation is the first step. 
• Isle Royale is only accessible by seaplane, passenger ferry, or private boat. There are no roads or cars on Isle Royale.

Permits

• Permits are required, regardless of group size or method of travel, for all overnight stays at campgrounds, cross country sites, docks, or at anchor. 

• Traveling with a group of 7 or more? You will need advanced reservations to camp. Learn more about group camping at Isle Royale. 

Entrance fees

There is no camping fee. There is a daily entrance fee of $7 per day. Plan ahead and pay your fees before your trip. 

• Isle Royale is isolated. Services are limited in the park. Be conservative and self-sufficient during your trip.
• Cell phone service is unreliable. Do not depend on it.
• A State of Michigan fishing license is required to fish Lake Superior; you do not need a license for interior lakes and streams.
• Check current conditions in the park before your trip.

• Stay hydrated.

• Watch the weather. Conditions deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly.

• Basic emergency services are available on the island, but response and evacuation take time. Self-reliance is the only immediate option in an emergency.

• Leave what you find. Removing, possessing, or disturbing park resources is prohibited. 

• Pack it in, pack it out. All trash and leftover food must be packed out of the backcountry.

• Store food properly by securing in a hard sided, scent proof container, or doubled zip-lock bags.

• Campfires are permitted only at a handful of campgrounds. A backpacking stove is recommended.

• Respect wildlife. Observe from a safe distance. It is illegal to feed, touch, tease, or intentionally disturb wildlife, their homes, nests, or activities. 

• Dogs, cats, and other mammals are not allowed, including pets on boats within park boundaries.

• Mosquitos and black flies peak in June or July and can continue into August. Wasps are common. Bring an epinephrine kit if allergic to stings.