Trip Idea

Windigo Day Trip

Multiple Parks

Through a stand of birch trees, Beaver Island can be seen in Washington Harbor, at Isle Royale.
Duration Full Day
Topic(s) Wilderness, Scenic Views, Trails
Activities Hands-On, Junior Ranger Program, Front-Country Hiking, Paddling
Type Solitary/Remote, Outdoors, Group Friendly
Parks Isle Royale National Park
A large brown wooden sign says Windigo in white letters, surrounded by moose antlers and trees.
Windigo offers a variety of activities, as well as access to hiking trails.

Valerie Martin

Day Trip Planning

Getting to Windigo

The Sea Hunter III offers day trips to Windigo, on the southwest end of Isle Royale, from Grand Portage, Minnesota. After arriving on the ferry, visitors spend four hours exploring the island. Isle Royale Seaplanes also offers day trip service to Windigo.

Be Prepared for an Unexpected Overnight

Adverse weather conditions or unexpected transportation issues may cause a park day trip to turn into an overnight.
You can prepare yourself by bringing essential items: prescriptions, food, and extra clothing for variable weather. Consider bringing a tent, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags;
Isle Royale does not provide these items for visitors.

Day Trip Schedule

  • Depart Grand Portage, MN: 8:30 am CDT / 9:30 am EDT
  • Arrive Windigo: 10:00 am CDT / 11:00 am EDT
  • Four hour layover on Isle Royale
  • Depart Windigo: 2:00 pm CDT / 3:00 pm EDT
  • Arrive Grand Portage, MN: 3:30 pm CDT / 4:30 pm EDT

Throughout the operating season the Sea Hunter III's schedule varies; it typically operates from mid-June through Labor Day. Day trip visitors can expect to have approximately four hours on the island.

Time Zone Information

Grand Portage, MN is in the central time zone, and the Sea Hunter III schedule operates on central time. Isle Royale National Park is in the eastern time zone, and operates on eastern time. It is recommended to stay on central time during your trip.

Activities in Four Hours or Less

Know Before You Go

  • Isle Royale is a remote island in Lake Superior.
  • The park is comprised of a roadless backcountry.
  • Make sure to bring a water bottle, food, and anything you might need for a day.
  • Lake Superior makes island weather unpredictable and travel delays are common.

Hike
  • Isle Royale National Park

    Walk the Windigo Nature Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Windigo Nature Trail at Isle Royale National Park
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    A wooden boardwalk a part of the trail goes through a forest with small plants on the ground.

    Walk the Windigo Nature Trail and immerse yourself in the deciduous forest on the western end of Isle Royale.

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  • Isle Royale National Park

    Hike to Grace Creek Overlook
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Isle Royale National Park
    • Duration: 2–4 Hours
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    Cloudy skies overlook forested ridges and a creek in the distance.

    Grace Creek Overlook offers scenic views of Grace Creek, Grace Harbor, and Lake Superior.

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  • Isle Royale National Park

    Hike to Minong Ridge Overlook
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Isle Royale National Park
    • Duration: 2–6 Hours
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    View from ridgetop with trees in fall foliage, Lake Superior, and the Canadian shoreline.

    Hike to the Minong Ridge Overlook and enjoy views of Isle Royale's west end, Lake Superior, and the Canadian shoreline to the north.

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Paddle
  • Isle Royale National Park

    Paddle Washington Creek
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Paddling
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Isle Royale National Park
    • Duration: 1–3 Hours
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A person kayaks in a creek surrounded by forest.

    Paddle Washington Creek, located on the west end of Isle Royale National Park. Washington Creek is an excellent spot for wildlife viewing.

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Discover
  • Isle Royale National Park

    Attend a Windigo Ranger Program
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hands-On
    • Pets: No
    • Duration: 20–60 Minutes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    A park ranger gives a program to a group of people on a porch with Washington Harbor behind.

    Attend a Windigo ranger program at Isle Royale National Park. Learn about the isolated island, it's cultural history, and the critters who call the island home. Topics include moose, wolves, geology, shipwrecks, island biogeography, wilderness, and more.

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  • Isle Royale National Park

    Become an Isle Royale Junior Ranger
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Junior Ranger Program
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Isle Royale National Park
    • Duration: 2–6 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    Children sit around a table working on Junior Ranger booklets while a Park Ranger stands nearby.

    Become an Isle Royale Junior Ranger and learn about the isolated island, the unique plants and animals found in the park, the island’s cultural history, and Leave No Trace principles.

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Last updated: August 21, 2023