Isle Royale National Park — Attraction in Eagle Harbor Township

DO NOT TAKE THE SEAPLANES!!! I explored the seaplane option as I’ve heard the waters can be rough and I wanted to save some time. HUGE MISTAKE.

I submitted my first request to their website on May 7th, they responded May 12th that “On 7/6 the latest available flight is 1pm.” even though 1pm isn’t an option in the dropdown, so I replied on May 16th that yes okay I’ll book that time, again on May 21st, and then May 26th asking what to do. They replied “please resubmit. We discarded your request because you didn’t respond from 5/12 to 5/16.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME. That is so unhelpful. So I sent a screenshot showing how that isn’t an option on the form and what time to select instead when I resubmit, and he replied “It’s not in the menu but is one that we provide most days. Let us know if you want it.” Like obviously I want it??? I’ve told you 3 times I want it??? So I resubmitted May 30th with the new incorrect time since both the times I wanted weren’t listed, and didn’t hear back until June 18th: “The requested flights are sold out.” Well in the meantime I had to schedule the rest of my trip so I scheduled the Voyageur II boat from one part of the island to another, which now I cannot take, and because they took so long to reply I’m outside the cancellation window and have to eat the late cancellation costs. I called them and there is nothing they can do. They provided alternative options which is the inverse trip of what I wanted, which would require me to change my vacation dates and I still wouldn’t make the boat that I have booked so I would have to eat that cancellation cost either way. They’ve sabotaged my entire trip that I’ve spent months meticulously planning out. Now if I want to go I have to rework my entire itinerary with only a week left to plan this, and hope that other routes to the island are available. Either way, I will not get to see the island as much as I had wanted, and I will have to eat the costs of the boat I reserved, all because of Jon and Kirsten at IsleRoyaleSeaplanes. I called the Voyageur company as well to explore alternative options, and they said they are not surprised to hear about my experience, and have seen this happen before. It is very well known that Isle Royale Seaplanes has horrible customer service and cancels on customers outside of...

The island is 45 miles (72 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide, with an area of 206.73 square miles (535.43 km2), making it the largest natural island in Lake Superior, the second largest island in the Great Lakes (after Manitoulin Island), the third largest in the contiguous United States (after Long Island and Padre Island), and the 33rd largest island in the United States. It is defined by the United States Census Bureau as Census Tract 9603 of Keweenaw County, Michigan. As of the 2000 census there was no permanent population.After the island was made a national park, some existing residents were allowed to stay, and a few leases are still in effect. Ferries from Michigan and Minnesota land at Rock Harbor on the eastern end of the island; this has a lodge, campground, and information center. Ferries from Minnesota also run to Windigo on the western end, which has a visitor

In 1875, Isle Royale was set off from Keweenaw County, as a separate county, "Isle Royale County". In 1897, the county was dissolved, and the island was reincorporated into Keweenaw County. The highest point on the island is Mount Desor at 1,394 feet (425 m), or about 800 feet (240 m) above lake level.

Isle Royale is within about 15 miles (24 km) of the Canadian and Minnesotan shores of the lake, (near the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario), and is 56 miles (90 km) from the Michigan shore, on the Keweenaw Peninsula. There are seasonal passenger ferry services to the island from Grand Portage, Minnesota; Copper Harbor, Michigan; and Houghton, Michigan. There is also a seasonal sea plane service. There are no roads on the island, and wheeled vehicles or devices, other than wheelchairs, are not permitted. Rock Harbor has wheeled carts available to move personal belongings from the Rock Harbor marina to the cabins and hotel. Also the National Park Service employs tractors and a few World War II jeeps to move items around the ranger station area at Windigo, Rock Harbor, and...

Absolutely a wonderful NP to visit. Must plan ahead as ferry ( there are 4 different ones) or seaplane needed to get there, AND bad weather Could cancel a reserved ferry ride so must because ready for that. But, it is wilderness at its best : no roads no cars, no dogs, not even noise. Rules state to loud voices or music. So, it is very peaceful and everyone I met there was so incredibly nice, helpful, polite, respectful. Not a piece of litter . Mr.Wonderful( yes, real name! ) and ALL staff at Lodge restaurant was so very nice l. I was able to store my “ excess stuff”‘ at the lodge office. Rangers great. Store employees super. Be prepared for rocky walking . Easy to slip or twist ankle so should have hiking poles and watch your steps . There is no medical clinic or triage area. One French Canadian (?) middle aged woman twisted her ankle and was hobbling in pain the last day I was there waiting for Ranger3. She was in lots of pain. Ranger 3brought a wheelchair and crutches for her, but seriously if you become injured it is not a convenient place for injuries to happen. Hi powered headlamp key as it is sooo dark at night… which is great for star watching and seeing aurora. While hiking for hours only passed 1-3 people (vs other NP where it’s so crowded). So lots of time for reflection and taking in all the beauty . Saw moose first night walked right in front of me at night as I was walking to bathroom-I could have slapped his butt… I was in shock . What else I saw: Fox, squirrels ( will eat your food if left on tables ), snakes, pileated woodpecker, nuthatches, loons-(awesome to hear and see then fly over at dusk), there are nice bathrooms as soon as you get off boat near store and ranger station and water and dryer. (Detergent sold at store) . Mosquito repellent important also . Make this a must do if you like solace and peace at your park. So unique. I’ll...