Let’s talk about About Food Storage Again

The 2026 Greenstone newspaper spells out food storage requirements. They are pretty clear if you think about them. Food must be in approved hard-sided containers. You must also attend to your packs and your food at all times. That means you can’t leave a pack with food on the trail while you walk away to pick berries or climb up a rock formation to check out the view. Take your pack with you or leave someone in your party to watch it. When you are sleeping in your tent or shelter, you must secure your food properly and away from yourself and your party.

Image from the Smithsonian article by Sarah Kuta 2026

According to ISRO: “Food Storage: All food, trash, and scented items must be stored properly. Do not store food, trash, or scented items in shelters or tents. Do not hang food in campgrounds. Do not leave food or pack unattended” Greenstone Newspaper, 2026.

Defining Hard-sided Containers

Hard-sided containers include Bear Cannisters which you carry, and Bear Vaults and Boxes which are installed by the park service for your use when you are in campgrounds.

Defining Approved Containers

An approved container is one included on the IGBC List of Approved Bear-Resistant Containers. Both soft-sided and hard-sided containers are listed, but on Isle Royale you must use a hard-sided container. Therefore, you can use an Ursack or an Adotech bear bag, both of which are on the IGBC list, as long as you store the bags in the bear boxes–which are hard-sided containers–at the campgrounds.

Mesh and Dry Bags Are Not on the IGBC List of Approved Containers

It is best to utilize a container that is listed by the IGBC as approved. As well, attend to your food container at all times, and store it in the bear boxes on the island. If you use an Ursack or Adotech bag–the only two soft-sided bags on the IGBC approved list–then you must store them in the bear boxes. When cross-country camping, you can hang them as per park directions located in the Greenstone newspaper.

Hard-sided Containers for Backpackers

A Bear Vault or similar container is sufficient. There are several varieties on the market, and we sell Bear Vaults here in Copper Harbor, for use by both local and Isle Royale backpackers. While on Isle Royale, when you are in a campground, you should place your bear cannister in one of the bear boxes located conveniently at the campsites.

2 Campgrounds with Bear Boxes Scheduled for Installation in Summer 2026

Feldtmann Lake has a vault on its way, but the park staff needs yet to install it at the campground. However, it’s okay to use the bear box where it sits at Rainbow Cove on the shore of Lake Superior, about a mile from the campsite. To avoid that trek to store and retrieve your food, you can carry a hard-sided container, such as a Bear Vault. Once you verify that the bear box has been installed at the campground at Feldtmann Lake, you can use the Ursack or Adotech bags and store them in the bear box, which is on schedule to be moved to the campground at Feldtmann Lake sometime in mid-summer.

Little Todd Harbor is also scheduled to receive its vault this summer. If you are staying at Little Todd Harbor, you need to carry a hard-sided container and place it 100 feet away from your campsite when you are sleeping. Be considerate, and do not to place your hard-sided bear container in the neighboring campsites.

Cross-Country Backpackers and Approved Containers

When permitted for backcountry camping, you can carry a hard-sided bear container, such as a Bear Vault, and locate it properly at 100 feet from your campsite when it is not in use. Alternately, you may also hang your food, trash, and scented items in your approved soft-sided container. Follow hanging guidelines presented by the park service in the Greenstone newspaper for 2026.

Isle Royale Dockside Sign at Rock Harbor

Bear Containers for Sale or Rent at Wise Old Man of Isle Royale, in Copper Harbor, Michigan

Wise Old Man of Isle Royale rents 10 and 20 liter Ursack AllMitey bags that are both bear and critter resistant. These bags are approved for use, but they must be stored in a Bear Box provided by the park.

For sale, we offer Bear Vault hard-sided containers, the 450 Jaunt, 475 Trek, and 500 Journey, in 7.2, 9.3 and 11.5 liters respectively. These containers can be used for all backpacking applications on the island and should be stored in the park-supplied boxes when space is available.

Superintendent’s Compendium & Official Information

For official information from and about Isle Royale National Park, read the Superintendent’s Compendium and the Greenstone Newspaper. Each provide a wealth of authoritative information about Isle Royale National Park.

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