Top Things to do in Isle Royale National Park
The 10 Best Things to do in Isle Royale National Park, Isle Royale National Park
Discover the best top things to do in Isle Royale National Park, United States including Scoville Point, Rock Harbor, Mount Ojibway Trail, Pete Edisen Fishery, Rock Island Lighthouse, Greenstone Ridge Trail, Lookout Louise, Suzy's Cave, Windigo Visitor Center, Passage Island.
1. Scoville Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Scenic point reachable by an easy hike from Rock Harbor.
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
The 4.2 mile (6.8k) roundtrip hike to the dramatic, rocky point sticking out into Lake Superior known as Scoville Point is the best day hike from Rock Harbor. Most people start by hiking the lake side part of the loop first, which is mostly flat but uneven, rocky and covered by roots where there is soil; however, the views from this part of the trail are excellent. Along the trial, there is a bald eagle’s nest and while the view is a bit limited, eagles are often spotted during the peak visitation season of July and August. Massive moose antlers, which are shed each winter, are also often seen along the trail as is passes through various microenvironments. Reaching the point, one is rewarded by a spectacular views of rock meeting the cold, powerful waters of Lake Superior, a lighthouse in the distance, fishing boats and often massive cargo vessels carrying ore and grain to market. Returning from Scoville Point, one doubles back over the same trail for 0.5 miles (0.8k) before bearing to the left to return by taking the Tobin Harbor side of the loop. This part of the trail is smoother as it passes through a peaceful dense boreal forest which, for the lower 48 states, is a habit unique to Isle Royale. During the summer of 2019, a number of hikers reported seeing two young bull moose along the trail although we did not have the fortune to see them; however, we did see Rock Harbor’s resident bull moose, Bruce the Moose, near the trailhead one morning.
2. Rock Harbor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Harbor area where boats arrive bringing visitors to Isle Royale National Park where you will find a visitors center and the Rock Harbor Lodge.
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
Rock Harbor is Isle Royale’s developed center of activity, the dropping-off location for most ferries to the island, and the starting point for a fantastic, wilderness adventure. At Rock Harbor, one will find a visitor center, store with basic provisions, lodge, camper cabins, two reasonable, in both quality and price, restaurants, giftshop, water taxis to other parts of the island, departure point for the MV Sandy tour boat, docks and fuel for private boats, seaplane port on the Tobin Harbor side, canoe and kayak rentals, a campground, trailheads for day hikes and backpacking excursions, and, a favorite of visitors, a resident bull moose known as Bruce the Moose.
3. Mount Ojibway Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
4. Pete Edisen Fishery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Old fishery now a living history museum maintained by the National Park Service.
Reviewed By mkw06 - Rochester, United States
Took the boat tour from Rock Harbor lodge. Captain and crew very knowledgeable and demonstrated superior customer service. Toured this historic fishery (tour guides were devoted NP volunteers who live on site - very rustic!). Hiked (short and easy) to cabin where distinguished moose researchers live- that was unbelievable! Ended touring Rock Harbor lighthouse and informative maritime museum.
5. Rock Island Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Historic lighthouse that was restored and is a popular tourist attraction.
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
Built in 1855, the Rock Harbor Lighthouse (the correct name) is the oldest lighthouse on Isle Royale and has been restored with a small but excellent museum on the ground floor and the tower can be climbed for an excellent view although it is quite hot in the enclosed glass lantern house on a sunny day. The lighthouse can only be accessed by boat, docking at the Edison Fishery, and taking the bit over 0.1 mile (0.2k) trail to the lighthouse which is a pleasant, easy walk after the initial climb up from the shore. If you are not visiting Isle Royale by private boat, it is still possible to visit by taking the tour boat MV Sandy from Rock Harbor (tickets are sold at the lodge office after arrival to the island only) which also includes a visit to the Edison Fishery and the opportunity to visit the moose research center at the Bangsund Cabin, which should not be missed but is further away than the lighthouse, in the opposite direction. Of the four MV Sandy tours offered, we felt this was the most interesting.
6. Greenstone Ridge Trail
7. Lookout Louise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By thomast194 - Shelby Township, United States
The Sandy tour was a great experience. The boat ride and info from the captain was entertaining and beautiful. The park service guide helped point out history, wildlife, plants and other things that may have been missed. The view was spectacular. All for a modest price. The hike was challenging at points but still suitable. I would highly r3commend.
8. Suzy's Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By RiceWP - Wellfleet, United States
This was a nice 1.8 mile hike with something to see when you got there. The cave itself is fairly small but bigger than many of the old mines on the island.
9. Windigo Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By warrenville111
We stayed for three nights in the Brule cabin. First of all, if you have trouble with elevation changes, the cabins are up a hill. To get to the outhouse - there is no hill...but to get down to the visitor center/dock/public restrooms - there is the hill. We had no problems with it, but for some it might be a problem. The camp store is going to be moving to its location at some point in the future. In September 2019 - they were putting the roof on. My best guess would be sometime in 2020. Eileen and Alex were the two camp store workers - and always extremely helpful. They said they were only open for one more day after we left (with the cabins staying open a few more days). Alex met us at the dock upon our boat arrival and put our luggage in the golf cart to take it up the hill (also took it back down when we left)...great service right from the start! We were not able to get into our cabin right away, but that was fine as they just kept our bags in the camp store until about 1:00 when the previous tenants had left to catch their float plane. We did bring a cooler with us; ice was available for purchase at the camp store. This made cooking very easy. Really - we could have purchased quiet a bit at the camp store...between eggs/yogurt/milk/etc. Nevertheless - we came prepared not knowing. We only used the burner on the grill - it was nice to have. The cabins have power...lots of receptacles. I would say it would be great for 4 people...six people would probably be a bit too much. The out-house is maybe 50 yards from the cabin. We split out time between the outhouse and the public toilets at the bottom of the hill. We did the 'noted' hikes on the Windigo Area Guide (in order of our favorites...Huginnin Cove Loop, Grace Creek Overlook, Minong Ridge Overlook)...and also rented a kayak for a half day. Being there late in the season in September, it was very quiet when we were there....which was nice. The whole time we were hiking, we came across two other hikers. We would walk to the campground in the evenings to look for moose (which we saw)...the campground would get some more people the days before the boat would come. The public restrooms and shower were good; they were cleaned at least once a day. The shower was great...a warm water shower after a day of hiking was just the perfect touch! Make sure you bring some flip-flops for the shower. We went to one ranger talk which was held in the pavilion around mid-day. They did it before a boat arrived...as if they didn't, there just were not enough people around to do it. Overall - for someone wanting to go to the Windigo side of the island, but want a step up from a tent...this was a great option.
10. Passage Island
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