Isle Royale National Park is the largest island on Lake Superior which is the largest freshwater lake on earth. Isle Royale’s separation from the mainland gives it a uniquely isolated feel. It is designated a wilderness National Park and also recognized as a Biosphere Preserve. The Island is popular for backpacking, canoeing, scuba diving, fishing and kayaking. Sightings of eagles, osprey, loons, otters, red fox and moose are fairly common when paddling at Isle Royale.
We will camp at designated sites each night all of which have enclosed outhouses and some have three sided screened shelters. Distances paddled each day will depend on the group and the weather, with 10 miles being the average. Trip price includes transportation to Grand Portage from Superior Coastal Sports in Grand Marais, cost of the round trip ferry passage to the island, an instructor/guide, all necessary equipment, park user fees and all meals from lunch on day one to lunch on day six...or 7 on the 7 day option.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - We load the trailer with boats and some gear the evening before so we need only load up your personal bags early the first day and head up to the ferry in Grand Portage. We leave at 6:15 AM and do not have the option of waiting for anyone who is late. The Voyager II ferry takes us across to the Park, stopping briefly at the Windigo Ranger Station where we will sit through a wilderness policy orientation. We then continue our ferry ride along the remote and rugged north side of the Island getting dropped off at McCargo Cove about 2:30 PM. After we make camp we'll go hiking and explore the historic copper mines. We always do some paddling in the cove and up McCargo Creek that evening and it is an excellent chance for a possible moose sighting as in the above photo. Fishing in the creek or nearby Chickenbone Lake requires no license but to fish in the Cove..requires a Michigan fishing license. Most groups don't bother fishing but on trips that do. We all enjoy some tasty fresh caught fish to compliment our planned menu;
Day 2 - The next moring we pack our kayaks for the first time which usually takes a while for everyone to get the hang of fitting everything in the boats. We'll be paddling 7.5 miles to Belle Island if all goes according to our schedule. Our route takes us down the 3 mile lenght of McCargo Cove, out into the open lake exposed to the NW and then back into the protected Amygdaloid Channel to Belle Isle. Belle Isle was the site of a resort years ago and some interesting remnants remain..including an overgrown shuffleboard court. Apparently the Belle Isle Resort also boasted of a 9 hole golf course but you can't imagine where it was? This campsite is frequented by a couple of pesky red fox... too often feed unwisely by visitors. Hiking is limited from here but the surrounding area is great to explore by kayak and most of the group usually goes for an afternoon or evening paddle but relaxing at camp is entirely OK... We try to rest up this second night for the possibility of a longer day if our planned 3rd campsite Merrit Lane should be taken. The Belle Isle sunrise will be worth getting up for!
Day 3 – The 3rd day's paddle takes us through the Five Fingers area of deep coves and long points...an area of many islands and channels until we reach the very NE tip of the Island...Blake Point. In one guide book it reads like an ominous place indeed and since it is exposed to many wind directions it certainly can cause problems...but statistically... we have found it dead calm on most of our summer kayak trips. I have been windbound there and it can be no place for beginners...hence the guide book warnings. If we were to be windbound from rounding the point, we camp at Duncan Narrows.but we plan to camp at Merrit Lane. This is really a nice spot with lots of small islands and channels to explore out front. Interesting rock formations of some nearby islands tell of volcanic activity long ago. If it Merrit Lane were to be taken we push on to Tookers Island. Changing a planned 7.5 mile day into a 12 mile day.. A very scenic day of paddling!!
Day 4 - From the Merrit Lane campsite we'll paddle through a maze of islands and passageways where moose have been encountered on quite a few of our trips. Soon we'll pass by the end of Scoville Point and paddle into Rock Harbor, the island's main hub of activity...with Rock Harbor Lodge, Restaurant and Cafe, the docking of 3 seperate passenger ferrys, Ranger Station and large campground. We never plan to camp at Rock Harbor Campground as it is like grand central station...but there are some interesting things so often we'll stop for a quick look around...or maybe have ice cream malt?
The paddling distance for today is about 10 miles to reach our next campsite. The preferred route weaves in and out of the string of islands creating the large protected water of Rock Harbor... Daisy Farm campsite is our destination with the smaller site of Caribou Island a second choice as we pass by... A nice hike to the Mount Ojibway Lookout tower offers an incredible island veiw. Some other interesting places to visit are the Rock Harbor Lighthouse Shipwreck Museum and the nearby historic Edison Fishery Museum.... Depending on timing we sometimes visit the Lightgouse and Fishery as we pass by the next morning to begin Day 5;
Day 5 - On day 5 of the trip we will once again paddle out into the open Lake so relatively calm conditions are desired. The distance is just over 7 miles and we'll pull into a small cove along the way and take a short break. This stretch of coastline is impressive, with a mix of rugged outcrops of rock, a few small coves with few if any beaches. Chippewa Harbor is a narrow mouthed natural bay but opens up to a good size body of water to explore once inside. The campsite is at a very picturesque setting up on a rock outcropping;
Historically, this site offers the beached relic of a boat along shore and the famously small school house for the small fishing community that was once established here...apple trees still bear fruit but there are little other signs of the small community that once stood just inside the mouth of Chippewa Harbor. This deep natural harbor is quite interesting to explore and hiking trails lead inland for even more adventurous explorations on foot.
Day 6 – On day 6 we will pack the boats one last time and head out into the open Lake and on to Malone Bay. The paddling distance is again around 7 miles. The historic Menagerie Island lighthouse is a possible side trip with good paddling contidtions but adds about 4 miles of paddling for the day. The other intersting thing we sometimes do with certain groups willing to carry the empty kayaks inland a short ways is to paddle on Siskiwit Lake...and paddle around Ryan Island on Siskiwit Lake. You can then say...that you have kayaked around the largest island...on the largest lake...on the largest island...on the largest lake...on planet earth!
Day 7 – We'll have a leisurly morning the final day and can go for a short paddle if we wish and get everything set for the ferry pick up later that morning. Several small islands out from camp are worth exploring. Once on the ferry we will be cruising along the remainder of the park's south shore stopping once again at the Windigo Ranger Station. The ferry schedule returns us to Grand Portage Bay on the mainland around 3:30 PM and we are brought back to Grand Marais by 5 PM. This is where the trip ends and some will hit the road but often some or the entire group goes out on their own with the guide joining them for one last dinner at an area restaurant.
Things you should bring:
- Footwear for both kayaking and hiking/camp;
- Quick Dry long pants 1 or 2 pair;
- 3 or 4 Tee shirts;
- Synthetic long underwear;
- Fleece or wool sweater;
- Quick Dry shorts 2 pair;
- Socks wool is best;
- Swimsuit;
- Hats, both visor type and warmth;
- Sunglasses and retainer;
- Binoculars;
- Camera with drycase;
- Fishing gear? No license to fish inland;
- Bug repellant, Sunscreen;
- Rain gear;
- Towel (preferably camp type);
- Flashlight or Headlamp w/extra batteries;
- Personal Items: toothpaste etc.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
6 Day Trip - $755 per person; 7 Day Trip - $805 per person;
Tour includes:
All meals included from lunch the first day through lunch the final day. All kayaking equipment...boat, skirt, PFD, paddle, wetsuit, paddle jacket, pump & float, dry bags, sleeping bag & mattress pad, tents, group camping gear & your kayak guide/instructor. Also included are all ferry costs and National Park user fees plus van transport from our store in Grand Marais up to the ferry dock in Grand Portage on the first and last days. You will need to arrange your own lodging or camping for the evening before...and perhaps the final day as we return to the store in Grand Marais around 5 pm that last day.
Sea Kayak with bulkheads and skeg or rudder - $10 off per day or $70 trip discount;
Wetsuit or Drysuit - $3 off per day or $21 trip discount;
Sleeping Bag & Mattress Pad - $2 off per day or $14 trip discount.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Michigan
Minnesota
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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