| Traveler Edge | Isle Royale National Park |
| Isle Royale National Park | Visits : | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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How to Get Here
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Rock Harbor Lodge
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Copper Harbor
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Scoville Trail | Suzy's Cave | Animal, Plant, Rock |
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| Location: Michigan, Great Lakes, USA Mid West | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 : City  : National Park  : National Monument / MiscellaneousClick icons on the map to see details. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Isle Royale is a very special place. Remote, isolated and natural might be the most frequently
use words to describe the island. It is north of Michigan, east of Minnesota and it took 3 to 7
hours to reach by ferry, depending on departure/arrival site and type of boat. The original natural
environment and ecological system is well preserved and protected in the island. There is no road or
automobile. You have to rely on your feet or boat to move yourself. There are all kinds of animals
living in the island: looms, foxes and naturally balanced eco-system of mooses and wolves.
It is probably the least frequently visited national park and it only opens in summer.
I guess that they applied the strategy of high cost to limit the visitation. Ferry fare is $50 one way. There is only one lodge on the island and the rate runs from $150 to $300 per room. Lunch is $15 and dinner is $30. Park also charges usage fee of $4 per adult per day. Is it worthwhile ? Everybody who has been there wishes to go back in the future. The experience is very unique. Other than the clean and clear lake and magnificent shoreline, the most precious thing is the animals and ecological system. We picked up blueberries while hiking and listened to the howls of unknown animals and looms. Although we didn't see any moose, we did see a fox walking leisurely in front of us. It was quite a different experience while hiking in dusk. There was no human beings around and the animals were making all sorts of sounds. Even though I was all by myself, yet I didn't feel lonely. The park has minimum facilities. There are two visitor centers. One is in Rock Harbor (south eastern corner of the island) and the other is in Windigo (west). The only lodge and restaurant is in Rock Harbor. The park has camping gounds. Please refer to this link for more details : Camping and Hiking. Please contact the park if you plan to do camping. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nearby National Park | (Definition of Driving Distance and Time) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| National Park Service Website | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://www.nps.gov/isro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Refer to this link for Rock Harbor related activities : Rock Harbor.
Hiking : The least expensive and most reliable way to move around. The island is about 40 miles long, less than 10 miles in width. The park map has identified the location of trails. Most people took the Scoville Point trail (4.2 miles round trip reaching the east point of the island) or Suzy's Cave trail (3.8 miles round trip). The distance does not seem to be challenging. However, each trail will take you at least 3 or 4 hours. The trail to Mt. Franklin (10 miles round trip) will take one full day. There is an overlooking point where you can see north side of the island and Canada shoreline. Canoeing : Bring your own or rent from Rock Harbor Lodge. Most people use canoe to reach trail heads on the other side of the island. However, I did see people doing sea kayaking around the island. However, I don't know how far can they reach. Boat Tour : Somewhat expensive. However, the water taxi can help to transport you to a far point in the middle of teh island for you to hike all the way back to Rock Harbor. Sunset tour and lighthouse tour also seemed to be interesting. We didn't try though. Berry picking, mushroom picking (if you know and dare), lake stones picking (beautiful, but not allowed to carry out of the park), identify animals and see if you can find a fox, moose or even wolf (nobody has ever seen one in summer), stargazing, fishing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discussion Area - Isle Royale | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continue to "How to Get Here" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
