Isle Royale Forums

6 of us driving from Florida to Grand Portage...checked http://www.isleroyaleboats.com/ found no ferry available for that
weekend. We have already paid for cabin rental. Is there any other
source of transportation to and from Isle Royal from Grand Portage for a
day trip?

If there is no ferry available that weekend, it is because it is full on September 15th, which I'd be surprised to hear. I would contact Capt. Don and see if you could be on standby if someone does not show up for their reservation if this truly is the case. However, if it is full, I'd be very concerned that 6 spot would be too many to open up all of a sudden. Outside of that, while others might know of private charters in the area that will take you over at an expensive price, the only other way I know how to get to the island from that area would be by renting or bringing your own sea kayak. Of course, that isn't an option for a novice.

No charters in Grand Portage or from anywhere to the island. There is a day trip the following Saturday, perhaps changing the travel dates? Too bad you didn't check the schedule prior to getting a cabin, the Voyageur II is the only boat going to the island that day from any point but it doesn't come back til Sunday and it only has one seat left.

Too bad about the ferry scheduling. If your dates are fixed then check out the many opportunities (hiking & paddling) next door to Grand Portage in the Superior National Forest, Boundary Waters Area or Superior Hiking Trail.

Hey Capt. Don, just out of my own curiousity and for those that might be reading this, now that we know Sept. 15 is all but full with the exception of 1 spot, how are the previous and following Saturdays looking on the 8th and the 22nd?

The 8th has 4 spots available, the 22nd is a day trip to and from Windigo and has good availability at this time.

Out of curiousity, how many people are allowed to board the Voyageur and Sea Hunter if no one brings canoes or extra weight that would have to be considered cargo and remove the ability to take an individual? Basically, what are each ships capacities?

If you can't change your travel dates but can still get a refund on your cabin rental, look into going to/from Copper Harbor on the Isle Royale Queen Mondays & Fridays (http://www.isleroyale.com/schedules-and-fares.html) or Houghton on the Ranger (but there's very limited seating for your dates), (http://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/t ... rvices.htm).

Either Houghton or Copper Harbor shorten your drive time from Florida by 3 or 4 hours. There are some nice cabins in the Keweenaw - check the official site http://www.keweenaw.info/virtualkeweenaw.aspx.

Want rustic? Northwoods Conservancy, a local non-profit, rents a cabin with solar power, a wood burning fireplace, propane stove & heat, and no running water (and no well, BYO!). http://www.northwoodsconservancy.org/NW ... Falls.html