Isle Royale Forums

Just wondering if picnic tables are present at all sites, or only those with shelters?
(If not, do any seasoned trekkers have advice on rigging up a level, clean cooking surface?)

As a general rule, you're only going to find picnic tables the same camps you'll find shelters. (I'm trying to think of an exception, but one doesn't come to mind..) - It's mostly a logistics issue; if they can't get the materials there to build a shelter, they're not carrying in a picnic table...
Even then, the picnic tables are rarely level.

I have a fold out base for my MSR stove, and that tends to stabilize things a bit better than the legs alone. Depending on your stove, they might make a similar system..

Things bring a question to my mind. What about the group sites? I have read and view campsite maps and learned that no shelters are available at the group sites, but what about picnic tables?

Correct, group sites are tent pads only. However, from what I recall, they have picnic tables, just like the regular tent sites. I have a picture I took at a McCargoe group site and it shows a table, so you're safe with that one!
Indeed, a picnic table goes a long way in helping make camp comfortable!

Specifically, if a campsite has a dock, it has shelters and picnic tables. For reasons Tom pointed out--getting them there. Probably safe to assume that groups sites at docks have tables, too. Pretty sure I saw them at Moskey, but I don't usually explore the group sites.

If I remember correctly, the group site(s) at Chippewa (back by the schoolhouse) had a picnic table also.

This was in 2007, though.