Keweenaw Canoeing/Kayaking: Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale

While long known for and associated with its superb opportunities for backpacking, Michigan’s only National Park also is recognized to be a world-class destination for paddling. Passenger ferry service is available from Copper Harbor and Houghton and they will transport kayaks and canoes for an additional charge. Nicknamed as the “Emerald Island” the opportunities for paddling on inland lakes and on Lake Superior are numerous. The entire island is about 45 miles long by 11 miles at its widest point, running from the southwest to the northeast in Lake Superior. Michigan visitors arrive on the island’s eastern end in Rock Harbor. This is a designated wilderness area and visitors to the Park are restricted to travel only by foot or by boat. The Voyager II ferryboat will transport paddlers and their boats on a bi-daily circumnavigation of the entire island, stopping intermittently at points along the way. Rock Harbor, however, is the gateway to some of the best paddling locales on the Island. A chain of inland lakes ultimately connect with Lake Superior on the south and the north sides of Isle Royale. This route is Michigan’s best stab at a Boundary Waters experience and its short portages in between are best suited for paddlers of canoes. Several options exist for route selection and (Lake Superior) points of entry. MarCargoe Cove is generally the preferred portal on the Island’s north side and many paddlers either start or finish their journey here, often taking a ride on the Voyager II. Moskey Basin, Chippewa Harbor and Malone Bay are all serviced by the Voyager and are utilized points of entry on the south side. Paddlers may want to visit Ryan Island on Lake Siskiwit along this route. Its claim to fame is being the largest island on the largest lake inside the largest island of the largest freshwater lake in the world! Paddling on Lake Superior is typically best suited for sea kayaks. Both the southeast and northeast sides of Isle Royale are a paddler’s paradise with numerous barrier islands and finger-bays to explore. Calm water can often be found within the protected harbors, bays and channels on windy days, although some exposed areas do exist in between. Many campsites in this region are accessible only by water and summertime crowds are lower than at campsites shared with trail accessible sites shared with hikers.

Special rules exist on the Island. Daily user fees are collected from visitors while on the ferry crossing and a Michigan fishing license is required if putting a line in the water. Leave No Trace low impact camping rules apply and permitted sites for campfires are limited. Although a lodge exists in Rock Harbor, camping is the only real way to get out to see the island. Campers need to be self sufficient, including food, a water filter, stove, warm cloths, sleeping bag, tent, gear and equipment as basic services are provided only in Rock Harbor and in Windigo. The Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor provides fully inclusive, guided sea kayak tours on Isle Royale.