Isle Royale Forums

I keep hearing about national park attendance setting records. What has people's experience been with numbers of visitors to IR this summer?

backwoods doc wrote: Fri Jul 09, 2021 4:54 pm I keep hearing about national park attendance setting records. What has people's experience been with numbers of visitors to IR this summer?

From what I hear, the boats have been filled.

I was there in late May/early June. I've visited twice before in roughly that window. It seemed busier this time than the other two, particularly around the intake points. (This impression could be an artefact of arriving at WIndigo to start the Feldtmann Loop in sync with a Voyageurfull of other visitors doings the same.) And boisterous types and/or novice-looking backpackers seemed better represented than I remember. It wasn't like there were traffic jams on the trail or campgrounds so full that late arrivals couldn't find a place to pitch their tents, though.

I did not notice any extra traffic on the trails. You still rarely see of pass another. In both directions the Queen had empty seats, I have been on many full boats. So that would have to mean that less net visitors. Rock Harbor felt normal, perhaps 10-15 years younger as the sitdown restaurant wasn't serving. I would assume that anything close to the intakes would be full as normal in July and August. I did see the most nonweekend boaters ever. Some said they normally hit Canada but cant for COVID travel restrictions. A ranger offhand said normally 18,000 hikers and last year only 1800. Pressed him for more details but he didn't seem to know more and that was his only nugget.

TopCarrot wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:04 am A ranger offhand said normally 18,000 hikers and last year only 1800. Pressed him for more details but he didn't seem to know more and that was his only nugget.

I am guessing the low numbers for last year was due to the Island only being serviced by the seaplanes and folks on private boats.