Isle Royale Forums

Hi! We’re new to the forum and just starting our planning for IR! We have 4 children (11, 8, 8 & 6) and we are wondering what would be the most cost effective (and hopefully quickest, as 3 get seriously motion sick) to get our family of 6 (and some backpacking gear) to the island? We’d like to spend 3ish days on the island in late June or early July. Hoping there is a rock I just haven’t overturned that may not be so, so expensive. We’re trying to complete the NP’s! Thanks so much for any direction!

Your cheapest option is the ferry.

It is only 2 hours on the the Voyageur II from Grand Portage, MN to Windigo. Sitting/standing on the stern deck in the fresh air helps with the sea sickness. You could do your entire trip on that end of the island (say, either stay up to 3 nights at Washington Creek, or do a round-trip hike with a night at Huginnin Cove).

The trip over from Houghton or Copper Harbor, MI to Rock Harbor takes 6 or 3 1/2 hours, respectively. You can only spend one night at a time at the Rock Harbor campground, but it's only about 3 1/2 miles to the Three Mile campground.

Here's the link on transportation: https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Here's last year's Greenstone, which has great information: https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/ ... r_2020.pdf

Have the "Ts" done much backpacking? IR isn't the best place for a first backpacking trip, especially for young kids. But you could do an overnight trip elsewhere ahead of time to see how you all do. Staying at the lodge or a cabin on IR is also an option, but definitely pricier.

Keep the questions coming.

Cheapest trip I know of for three nights, is to take either the Voyager or the Sea Hunter from Grand Portage Minnesota out to Windigo. Camp for up to three nights at the Washington Creek campground, and likely get a shelter to make a home base for your family. Washington Creek has a 3-night limit, which seems to fit your plans. There are several good dayhikes if your family likes to hike, and you can easily spend a day with two rental canoes and a picnic lunch at Beaver Island.

If you just want to tick off Isle Royale on your list and really need to save money and time, you can do a day visit on the Sea Hunter, out and back on the same day. You will have a few hours to explore around Windigo before returning to Minnesota. Check the rates for your different options.