[Info] Cross-Country Camping: Regulations & Zones

[Rafiki]

Ya a nice copy of the backcountry map that is updated would be a nice thing to have available on our forums. Ill see if the Rangers can provide us with something better when we take our trip in August should nothing of higher quality be posted between then and now. And for the record Mike, you Jpeg that you posted on here does not seem to exist anymore. When I click on it, I am told it no longer exists. Don't know if you removed it or not, but just thought I'd throw it out there since 800 or so people have tried to view it.

[IncaRoads]

Rafiki - check out the first post at the top of the thread. It has what you are looking for.

[Rafiki]

Thanks Inca. Didn't notice that you edited your post and included the update since I last read it.

[tree rattt]

I was wondering, is there a restriction on the number of tents allowed per site? This would be off trail or in campsite. I ask because we have 5 people going on our next trip and 4 tents. 2 two man 1 singe and a bivy. I have poured through regs and run a search, but haven' t come up with anything so I just want to triple check. Thanks in advance.

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[Tightlines01]

I'm not aware of regs for number of tents per, but some locations might be harder to put that many on.

[fonixmunkee]

I can confirm that as of 28 May 15, the "backcountry camping zones" map dated 3/2012 is the most current one in use by the NPS. Just FYI.

[IncaRoads]

I've edited the post at the top of this thread to include the latest Off Trail Camping Rules dated 09/2014.

[fonixmunkee]

IncaRoads,

Thank you very much for the update and your continued work on keeping this thread up-to-date. I know my friends and I appreciate it!

[brndncrbtt]

Hey folks. Planning my first visit and was directed here for some advice. First time visitor to the Island (or any National Park for that matter).

June 4th we set sail on Voyager 2 from Grand Portage, MN and disembark at Rock Harbor. From there we meet our water taxi at 4:30 to hitch a ride to Hidden Lake Dock (Lookout Louise) to kick off the eastern end of the Greenstone trail enroute to Windigo and end our stay on the 12th.

This will put us at Lookout Louise at 5:30 pm or so day 1. The first campsite along the trail is about 18 miles away at East Chickenbone (going from memory on the mileage but you get my point). I need to acquire a cross country permit for day 1 in area 11. By my understanding this has to be prearranged with the rangers. How do we go about getting these permits. Is this something we have to write them to get or is their an online source? I looked all over when I paid for the day use park fees but didn't have any luck. Everything else is booked and paid for other than this permit. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Tom]

By my understanding this has to be prearranged with the rangers. How do we go about getting these permits. Is this something we have to write them to get or is their an online source?

Prearranged = Before you start camping at that location.

Coming via the Voyageur II, your first stop is Windigo. You will be issued your permit there during the ferry stop. (The boat stays long enough to allow that to happen; this is the way every trip works.)

When requesting your permit, in addition to what NPS calls "backcountry" camps on Isle Royale (which is any designated camp on the map) you will be also asking for a cross-country camp, in area 11. They will note this on your permit, give you additional rules to adhere to, etc. At that point, you're 'pre-arranged' to use that area, if they give the OK.
However - Unlike regular 'backcountry' permits for non-groups, where as a camper you can elect to vary your itinerary as desired, providing you're staying at designated campsites, with a cross-country permit it is ONLY valid on the day and zone indicated. If, by some reason, you wanted to change that date, you would need to find a ranger (difficult and unlikely if you're on-trail, but you could visit a station) who would need to sign off on that change and note it on your permit. (Thus, the "pre-arranged' statement.)
Now, you don't HAVE to use the cross-country site you request. In June, the days are long, and that section of trail isn't particularly arduous. If you were feeling good, and making good trail time (use the portage crossing as a good reference for your speed) you might be able to push on to Lane Cove (a designated campsite, thus fair game), which is perhaps a total of 9mi from Lookout Louise.

[JerryB]

I want to echo Tom. Lane Cove would be the better choice. It is still a long hike, but a very nice site

[brndncrbtt]

Thanks a lot guy. Great info and I truly appreciate the help.

[head2north]

FYI, from experience, the park policy is to discourage backcountry permits intended for "place to crash because it is too far to the next campground".
They are issued for the backcountry "experience" and not for trail-side tent plopping. Not sure if policy has changed recently, this was in 2008 applying
for Minong Trail Permit between Windigo and North Desor. I would imagine the Greenstone Trail would be an even more strict environment due to higher traffic.

[JerryB]

Two years ago, I got a back country permit for between Windigo and N. Desor with no problem. It was pretty buggy at the midway point, we did not camp there and went all the way to Windigo instead. But there was no problem getting it.

[irhikers]

Coming via the Voyageur II, your first stop is Windigo. You will be issued your permit there during the ferry stop. (The boat stays long enough to allow that to happen; this is the way every trip works.)

Last year we took the Voyageur II to Rock Harbor and hiked back to Windigo. When we arrived at Windigo, we were told the new policy is that if your destination was Rock Harbor, your permit is now issued at Rock Harbor instead of Windigo. If your destination was before Rock Harbor, of course they issued your permit at Windigo. It was explained that having your permit issued at Rock Harbor reduces the time the boat has to wait at Windigo.