Isle Royale
A rugged island wilderness in Lake Superior accessible by ferry and seaplane, known for backcountry hiking, wildlife, and solitude.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | North America |
| Subregion | Great Lakes |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Gogebic County |
| District | Lake Superior basin |
| City | Isle Royale National Park |
| Timezone | AmericaDetroit |
| Latitude | 48.07 |
| Longitude | -89.42 |
| Maps |
2:58 PM LOCAL TIMEIsle Royale is a remote island and national park in northern Lake Superior, straddling the US-Canada border but administered as part of the U.S. National Park System. The island is roughly 48 km (30 mi) long and 8 km (5 mi) wide at its widest, with a heavily glaciated landscape of rocky ridges, forests, and isolated inland lakes. Visitors come primarily for backcountry camping and hiking, linking a network of demanding trails that cross exposed granite and wooded passes; car-free travel means ferries and floatplanes are the main practical access points. Wildlife is iconic: populations of **Canis lupus (gray wolf) and Ursus americanus (black bear) are famously adaptable and have shaped island ecology, while Aquila chrysaetos (golden eagle) and Gulo gulo (wolverine) are rarer. The climate is cool and windy, with significant snowfall in winter; summers (June-August) are short but often sunny. Beyond the trails, visitors can explore via kayak, plan multi-day routes, and stay in primitive camps; visitor facilities are limited, emphasizing self-sufficiency and Leave No Trace. Key nearby towns include Houghton, MI and Grand Marais, MN for services; the primary park visitor center and ferries are based at Copper Harbor on the mainland. Be prepared for remote conditions**, variable weather, and variable trail conditions—think long days, map-and-compass navigation, and high-elevation exposure on some routes.
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