Backcountry Site Availability

[syrio]

Hello all, planning on making my first trip to Isle Royale end of August this year. Had a quick question about backcountry site itineraries and availability.

When you get your permit do they keep track of the number of people each day planning to go to a site and limit the amount? Or is the itinerary a guideline and sites are still first come first serve? In the event they are first come first serve, what happens if you get in late and all sites are taken?

Thanks!

[dcclark]

Welcome to the forums! (And to the island... you'll be back!)

The itinerary is just a guideline -- you are free to change your mind as much and as often as you want. Rangers might give you a bit of advice (e.g. "that's a really long day" or "there will probably be a lot of people at Three Mile that night") but there's no requirement to stick to your plan.

All sites are first-come, first-serve, with rare exceptions that most people never need to think about -- like groups of 7-10, or off-trail permits.

The general expectation is to share tent sites if asked, and to be willing to share a shelter if possible. Tent sites usually have at least 2 or 3 pads available. You should feel totally willing to ask people to share tent sites, and everyone will be happy to do so if there's any room at all. In the worst case, group sites are available at some campgrounds and can hold a lot of tents if needed.

Rangers might ask about any changes you made to your itinerary when you depart, and that's mainly to keep track of actual campground use.

[syrio]

Welcome to the forums! (And to the island... you'll be back!)

The itinerary is just a guideline -- you are free to change your mind as much and as often as you want. Rangers might give you a bit of advice (e.g. "that's a really long day" or "there will probably be a lot of people at Three Mile that night") but there's no requirement to stick to your plan.

All sites are first-come, first-serve, with rare exceptions that most people never need to think about -- like groups of 7-10, or off-trail permits.

The general expectation is to share tent sites if asked, and to be willing to share a shelter if possible. Tent sites usually have at least 2 or 3 pads available. You should feel totally willing to ask people to share tent sites, and everyone will be happy to do so if there's any room at all. In the worst case, group sites are available at some campgrounds and can hold a lot of tents if needed.

Rangers might ask about any changes you made to your itinerary when you depart, and that's mainly to keep track of actual campground use.

Thank you! This is great info. Really cool the flexibility they allow, not found in many other national parks when it comes to backpacking.

Are the campgrounds near Rock Harbor and Windigo also first come first serve? My plan is to spend the first night in Rock Harbor, take the ferry to Windigo for the start and camp at Washington creek, then get underway the next day.

Would the start of my trip technically be the stay at Washington Creek despite virtually no miles?

[Bobcat1]

When you get your permit, Rock Harbor is actually your first night camping, unless you’re staying at the lodge. Washington Creek is your second night, and then your third night is wherever you hike to.

[dcclark]

Whenever you stay a night at a campground, it goes on your itinerary -- even if you didn't have to backpack in to it.

Every campground is first-come, first-serve. Rock Harbor is a huge campground, but it still does fill up when the ferries are in dock. Rock Harbor is also limited to a one night stay, although it sounds like you won't run up against that.

The stay limits (and other useful info) are in the park's Greenstone newsletter, on their website, which is a very helpful read!