Isle Royale Forums

This is the first trip for four of us are heading to Isle Royale for 3 nights starting Aug 23rd and staying at a cabin at Rock Harbor. The goal of this trip is to see a moose. When talking to someone who has been to IR a few times he mentioned that the Rock Harbor end of the island is more hilly and rocky - and if we want to see a moose we need to camp in the Windigo area. We would not backpack and stay at different campsites each night but make camp and go hiking during the day. Have many people seen moose in the Rock Harbor area?? Do you have suggestions for where the best chance is to see one?? Thank you!

I was once sitting in the Greenstone Grill (in Rock Harbor) and watched a moose walk down the paved path in front of it, so you can see a moose anywhere. It's more about time of day and time of year. If you get up early (think sunrise) and check out swampy areas and dense undergrowth, you'll have a great chance to see a moose. Lots of those within easy walking distance of Rock Harbor. Scoville Point (again, along Rock Harbor) has some good moosey spots too. Go later in the fall when the rut is on, and you'll see even more.

Saw a moose right in RH near the lodge on our last day at the end of a 6day trip where we didnt see a single moose while out hiking.

I think seeing moose is kinda like what they say about catching a butterfly. Seems like the harder you try the less likely you are to see one. Be quiet and attentive, and just go out and enjoy what the island has to offer--with or without moose. Odds are you'll see at least one, but if you don't you may be less disappointed . And yes, there are plenty around Rock Harbor.

We had a cow moose leisurely stroll through our tent campsite at the Rock Harbor campground. We saw her coming, backed out of the way and she just kept coming.

Keep in mind that moose have terrible eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing. If you have a choice of which general direction you can hike then take note of the prevailing wind and try to walk into the wind. Walk slowly with no talking and stop frequently to listen. When they are moving you can often hear them. If it appears one is looking at you and you stay perfectly still, most likely it can't actually see you. This can be dangerous if it is a cow with calf.

I have a personal theory that some moose (more than the normal amount) would hang out near Rock Harbor (and Windigo) during earlier years when the wolves were more predatory than now, with the reason being that they learned or could sense the relative absence of danger.

We saw several of them at Lake Ojibway in May of '16 and '17 from the tower. We did not get within view of the lake this year but heard a few young guys say they bushwhacked down to Lake Ojibway and spent an afternoon watching moose come and go. Lots of them.

Midwest Ed wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:44 pm I have a personal theory that some moose (more than the normal amount) would hang out near Rock Harbor (and Windigo) during earlier years when the wolves were more predatory than now, with the reason being that they learned or could sense the relative absence of danger.

Your theory is backed by conversations I've had with both Rolf and some rangers that indicated they noticed some cows would routinely come to the more inhabited areas during calving season because the wolves didn't tend to come into those areas. It's similar to the practice that once a calf is old enough, the mom will also swim them out to one of the islands for browsing where there are no wolves during the summer.

dcclark wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:49 pm I was once sitting in the Greenstone Grill (in Rock Harbor) and watched a moose walk down the paved path in front of it, so you can see a moose anywhere. It's more about time of day and time of year. If you get up early (think sunrise) and check out swampy areas and dense undergrowth, you'll have a great chance to see a moose. Lots of those within easy walking distance of Rock Harbor. Scoville Point (again, along Rock Harbor) has some good moosey spots too. Go later in the fall when the rut is on, and you'll see even more.

Thanks dcclark!

Thanks for all of the responses, very helpful in deciding to keep our reservation at the cabin. Maybe we will be more seasoned after our first trip and try camping next time. Looking forward to getting there!