Many people want to visit Isle Royale, but backpacking is simply not desired or not a possibility for a number of reasons. Others want to complete their plan for visiting all the US National Parks, but they don’t have the gear for backpacking and aren’t planning to spend a lot of time backpacking outside a single excursion to Isle Royale, so they don’t want to invest in the lightweight gear. Some people like the out-of-doors, but they don’t want to backpack and carry gear for an excursion. Some people’s knees and backs can’t take the pounding that comes with carrying weight for such long distances.
Not to fear! Wise Old Man of Isle Royale Gear & Guide can help.
We offer custom itineraries for the non-backpacking outdoor adventurers, ranging from 4 days and 3 nights all the way up to 14 days and 13 nights. We can arrange for guided excursions that center on one campground, one or two areas, or those that circle the whole island or any portion thereof.
Four-Day Three-Night Rock Harbor and Mount Franklin with a Windigo stop
Arrive in Rock Harbor, set up camp and day hike up to Mount Franklin for views of Canada, descend the Mt. Franklin Trail to the Rock Harbor Trail Junction, pass three Three-Mile Campground, view Susy’s Cave and return to Rock Harbor for the night. On day two, catch the ferry to Windigo to visit the west end of the island and enjoy dinner on the deck and moose watching at the campground. On day three, catch the ferry back to Rock Harbor, dine at the restaurant and shop for souvenirs. On day four, enjoy a day hike to Scoville Point, have lunch at the grill, and depart at 2:30 PM.
Five-Day Four-Night Daisy Farm Base Camping, with a Windigo stop
Arrive in Rock Harbor and spend the first night there, day hiking along Tobin Harbor, Scoville Point, and the Rock Harbor Trail. Catch another ferry to Daisy Farm for two nights. On the first day, hike to the Greenstone Ridge on the Daisy Farm Trail to the lookout 1/3 miles west of the Greenstone Ridge Trail junction. On the second day, hike the Ojibway Trail to the Greenstone Ridge to climb the Ojibway Tower. Explore the ridge eastward for additional views of Canada. On day three, catch the ferry to Windigo and spend the night moose watching from the campground at Washington Creek. Enjoy dinner and/or a beverage on the deck at the Windigo Store. On day four, catch the ferry back to Rock Harbor, hike toward Mt. Franklin and back, dine at the Greenstone Grill, and shop for souvenirs and prepare for departure on day five.
Seven-Day Six Night (or Nine-Day Eight-Night) Chippewa Harbor and/or Malone Bay with a Windigo stop
Arrive in Rock Harbor and spend the first night there, day hiking along Tobin Harbor, Scoville Point, and the Rock Harbor Trail. Catch another ferry to Chippewa Harbor or Malone Bay. Spend two days exploring the area, and then catch the ferry to Windigo, as above, and then return to Rock Harbor. A nine-day excursion can be customized to spend two days at Chippewa Harbor and two days at Malone Bay prior to going on to Windigo and heading back to Rock Harbor.
Eight-Day Seven-Night Belle Isle Excursion
On the first day, arrive in Rock Harbor and spend the first night there. Catch another ferry to Windigo to visit the west end of the island and enjoy dinner on the deck and moose watching at the campground. Spend four nights on Belle Isle swimming and enjoying the solitude. On the seventh day, catch the ferry back to Rock harbor, and depart on the eighth day.
Variable McCargoe Cove and Belle Isle Excursion
On the first day, arrive in Rock Harbor and spend the night there. Catch another ferry to Windigo to visit the west end for one to three nights (depending on the nights you are there which relates to the ferry schedule) and enjoy moose watching at the campground. Catch the ferry again to McCargoe Cover where you spend two nights. Then catch the ferry to Belle Isle and spend two to four nights there, depending on the ferry schedule. Reboard the ferry to Rock Harbor for the night and depart the next afternoon.
The Full Experience: All Ferry-Stop Excursion
On the first day, arrive in Rock Harbor and spend the first night there. Catch another ferry to Chippewa Harbor for two nights. Progress to Malone Bay for two nights. Continue to Windigo for two nights. Proceed to McCargoe Cove for two nights. Stop at Belle Isle for two nights, and return to Rock Harbor for the night for a departure on the thirteenth day. This affords opportunity to hike on most trails and scale the heights of the island without having to backpack. It also allows for access to Belle Isle which cannot be reached on foot, allowing for the most diverse experience possible.
The Primary Takeaway
People don’t have to backpack or purchase all the gear to enjoy the island broadly. For the best experience, choose a duration that works for you and engage in day hikes within your capabilities. A multi-stop excursion can allow for lots of sightseeing and viewing the natural wonders of the island with only minimal carrying of your gear from the dock to the campgrounds, in most cases under a half mile.
If you are interested in constructing a custom excursion, reach out by phone at 906-201-1588 or email at wiseoldmanofisleroyale@gmail.com. We can put together something that works for you and your group and is within your budget.