Get there
Isle Royale opens from April 16 through October, and it’s accessible only by boat or seaplane. Fly into Duluth International Airport (DLH) for the two-hour drive up the Lake Superior coast or into Canada’s Thunder Bay (YQT) for a shorter drive south to Grand Portage, Minnesota. For info on travel from Grand Portage, visit grand-isle-royale.com.
Daily discoveries Day 1: Hit the trails that branch out from the lodge. One popular route is the Stoll Trail loop (4.2 miles round-trip from Rock Harbor Lodge) to Scoville Point. Keep your eyes open for abundant wildflowers, rugged and rocky terrain at the Point, and possibly a moose—more likely on the return trip along Tobin Harbor.
Day 2: Rent a motorboat or canoe at the Rock Harbor marina and head out into Lake Superior. But stay close to shore; like an ocean, the massive lake can be temperamental. Bring your fishing pole and license if you want to try your luck (purchase your license before you leave for Isle Royale); note that
no license is required in inland lakes and streams.
Day 3: Get smarter: Join a guided boat or foot tour. Cruise the shoreline and environs from the deck of the MV Sandy touring boat from June 7 through September 9. If terra firma is more your style, head out for a leisurely hike with a park ranger to dig deeper into the island’s natural and cultural history, including the abandoned copper pits near the lodge. End the day by attending a park ranger’s presentation (topics vary), complete with a Q & A session. Info at the Rock Harbor Visitor Center. Web Resources nps.gov/acad/
Acadia Map | 
