Isle Royale Forums

I would like to post a question for those of you who have paddled/camped at Lake Richie Canoe, Intermediate Lake, Wood Lake, and Lake Whittlesey. Would you rank those four campsites on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being your favorite and 4 being your least favorite?

They are on my itinerary this year and I hope to camp at all four, if the weather allows.

Thank you in advance for your replies!

I'd personally go with:

1.) Wood Lake
2.) Lake Ritchie Canoe
3.) Intermediate
4.) Whittlesey

I see a bit of a 'class difference' between the first two and the last two.

Same as Tom, except that I'd swap Whittlesey and Intermediate, if only to fish for walleye in Whittlesey. Wood Lake definitely tops the list.

Wood Lake and Lake Ritchie Canoe are definitely very nice campgrounds. Whittlesey is good but not as nice as the former two. We just passed through Intermediate Lake so I have no opinion on its CG.

Tom wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2017 7:45 am I'd personally go with:

1.) Wood Lake
2.) Lake Ritchie Canoe
3.) Intermediate
4.) Whittlesey

I see a bit of a 'class difference' between the first two and the last two.

I agree with this. Though I'd be quite happy spending a week at any of them.

Wow, that was quick! I really appreciate your opinions on the campsites! In case I have to pass by one do to weather, I now have a better idea which one it might be.

Having not been to any of them, I am surprised that Lake Richie ranks higher than Lake Whittlesey. Thank you all again for your input!

One thing to keep in mind is that depending on what your paddling itinerary (and the weather) is, you can easily paddle/portage from Lake Ritchie to Wood Lake or even Lake Whittlesley in one day. That being said, Lake Ritchie Canoe and Wood Lake are my favorites. You may have the campground to yourself but you should also be prepared to go to the next campground as there are only 3 sites at each of these locations.

One thing to bear in mind is that Siskiwit Lake can get rough especially if there is a SW wind.

One thing to bear in mind is that Siskiwit Lake can get rough especially if there is a SW wind.

Redbad, this is one variable that is in the back of my mind.

if only to fish for walleye in Whittlesey

Ingo, you would get along well with my dad! At 76 years old, he still loves to fish for walleye.

Except for Intermediate, which I visit for a quick break and continue on, I have stayed at all of the canoe campsite many times. I like them all.
One major obstacle that may arise is significant West Wind generating white caps on Siskiwit that would cause safe travel between Wood and Intermediate almost impossible.

So stay tuned to weather report as that may dictate your camp selection.

Lake Ritchie #1, Wood Lake very close, not really even #2

Wood Lake gives access to Siskiwit which is both beautiful & terrifyingly sublime.


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