Transportation & Airports (ISRO)
Copper Harbor’s Isle Royale Queen IV
Most visitors reach Isle Royale by ferry from one of three locations: Houghton, Michigan; Copper Harbor, Michigan; or Grand Portage, Minnesota. If you have a choice, take the Ranger III out of Houghton. It’s the longest trip (6 hours, one-way), but also the least expensive and most enjoyable. During the voyage a park ranger will regale you with stories (and possibly a song). As an added convenience, you’ll be able to obtain a backcountry permit while aboard the Ranger III, rather than having to stop at the visitor center when you arrive. Additional information is provided below.
Ship/Plane | Operator | Departs | Duration | Open | Schedule | Adult Rates (one-way) | Child Rates (one-way) | Kayak Transport Rates | Phone | Website
Ranger III (favorite) | National Park | Houghton, MI | 5 hours | June – Sept | 9am* | Adults $50 (low)/$60 (high) | $20 | $20 | (906) 482-0984 | www.nps.gov/isro
Isle Royale Queen IV | Private | Copper Harbor, MI | 3 hours | May – Sept | 8am (Copper Harbor), 2:45pm (Rock Harbor) | $57 (low)/$65 (high) | $28.50 (low)/$32.50 (high) | $25 | (906) 289-4437 | www.isleroyale.com
Voyageur II | Private | Grand Portage, MN | 2 hours | May – Sept | 7:30am | $64 | $44 | $33 | (888) 746-2305 | www.isleroyaleboats.com
Sea Hunter | Private | Grand Portage, MN | 1.5 hours | June – Sept | 8:30am (Grand Portage), 2pm (Windigo) | $64 | $44 | $33 | (888) 746-2305 | www.isleroyaleboats.com
Seaplane | Private | Houghton, MI | < 1 hour | May – Sept | Every 2 hours starting at 8am | $290 (round-trip) | Free (under 2 years old) | N/A | (218) 721-0405 | www.royaleairservice.com
Trips to Isle Royale are not made every day of the week. Be sure to check the operator’s website or call to confirm their departure schedule. Fares and duration are for one-way trips except where stated otherwise. Operators consider children to be 11 years old and younger. The Ranger III offers free rides to kids (age 6 and under). All reservations require full payment.
*Ranger III departs from Houghton on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9am. It departs from Rock Harbor at 9am on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The closest airport to Grand Portage, MN is Thunder Bay International (YQT) in Ontario, Canada. It is approximately 40 miles northeast of Grand Portage. Houghton County Memorial (CMX) is located in Houghton, MI, about 40 miles southwest of Copper Harbor.