Mostly.

Alert 1, Severity, information. Due to COVID-19, no visitor ferry or lodge service for 2020

The Ranger III, Voyageur II, Sea Hunter III, and Isle Royale Queen IV will not provide visitor ferry transportation this summer. Rock Harbor Lodge, including lodging, dining, marina services, gift shops and stores, will remain closed for the season.

As of now, it sounds like the island will open June 15th for those getting there on by private boat or seaplane. Isle Royale seaplane services out of Houghton, MI and Grand Marais, MN is hoping to offer flights by the end of June.

I might try to go out to the Island this summer a time or two. Thinking of taking advantage of the solitude .

That would be so wonderful to be out there with hardly any one else! Went paddling a couple of years ago out there and the crowds and noise were horrible! Even in the interior! And I have been going out there backpacking since I was 15 in 1972! A dozen personal and family backpacking trips over the years and two summers working on the Wolf/Moose Research Team in '78 and'79. If you can get out there this summer, GO!!!

I have hiked IRNP on 6 different occasions. While I can't say I ever felt crowded, I never felt solitude.

I think it might be worth paying the premium for Seaplane service to the island for a visit this summer.

My wife and I took the Seaplane to IR back in 2013. What a great way to get to and from the island! Only 30 minutes in the air each way.

I've been to IR three times and I've said on many occasions that when it comes to outdoors experiences, Quetico and Isle Royale are 1 and 1A to me. Clearly they're different types of outdoor experiences, but I enjoy both equally.

Where are you hearing that the IR might be open to seaplanes and private boats by June 15?

We were planning a trip that we thought we'd have to cancel, but if we can fly...

I couldn't find anything suggesting that that park would be open on any specific date. Do you have details you can share or point me to?

Thanks!

Try this... Isle Royale website link.

Isle Royale seaplane service....link.

If going from Minnesota I would call Sawtooth Aviation, they are a local company. I am not sure they fly there, however they might be able to find you a local pilot.

Or if you wanted to fly from the Ely area I might be able to find you a pilot and plane.

Thanks for sharing! Had tentatively planned a quick trip and this may be perfect!

For those of considering flying to the island.

Stove fuels, solid, liquid and gas are NOT allowed on the airplane. The store on the island that might have stocked fuel for campers will be closed. I would recommend a twig stove.

The park service changed its mind. Now you can go by boat or plane but never go on land or dock. I talked with a ranger and was told they might change their mind in weeks to come and maybe we will be able to go ashore. Regardless nothing will be open on the Island all summer.

Bushpilot: "The park service changed its mind. Now you can go by boat or plane but never go on land or dock. I talked with a ranger and was told they might change their mind in weeks to come and maybe we will be able to go ashore. Regardless nothing will be open on the Island all summer."

HUH? Could you explain, or better yet, share a link that gives this information? "You can go by boat or plane, but never go on land or dock." LOL... I must be missing something.

While the park is closed, Lake Superior waters within the park boundary will remain open for fishing during the day. During the closure, all islands and the main islandf Isle Royale and all facilities (docks, trails, visitor centers, campgrounds, shelters, outhouses, etc.) will remain closed and all overnight use is prohibited. No fuel is available. Any boaters fishing in park waters need to be self-sufficient.

It is dated May 20th. I may have misread it on that date or maybe it was changed? I had to call and finally got in touch with Ranger Jeff. I got a few answers from the him, but he was unsure of everything. This was going to be his first year on the Island and he was excited.