Isle Royale National Park

North Shore Winery

We just returned from Isle Royale National Park. While hard to get to, Isle Royale is well-worth visiting. Planning the trip to Isle Royale took some time, as we didn’t know whether to fly into Thunder Bay, Ontario (closest) or Minneapolis. We ended up flying into Minneapolis because car rentals for pick up in Thunder Bay and return in Minneapolis (the route wanted to take so we could also hit up Voyageurs National Park) were exorbitantly expensive.

Best Western Superior Inn

To visit Isle Royale, via Minneapolis, you drive about four hours from Minneapolis to Grand Morais, Minnesota. It’s a beautiful drive along Lake Superior. We stopped at North Shore Winery along the way. Fun place with good wines, though I was disappointed most of the grapes came from California.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus in Grand Morais — great hotel. Our room had a balcony overlooking the beach. 

Boat to Isle Royale

We then drove to Grand Portage (about 45 minutes) the next day to catch the boat — the Sea Hunter III to take us to Isle Royale. We chose the Sea Hunter III because it is one of the shorter boat rides to the island (1.5 hours) and much cheaper than the seaplane option. (Note to future travelers - it was quite cold when we went, even though it was August. Pack appropriately and note that Isle Royale is not open to visitors in the winter. In addition, if you get seasick, consider taking the seaplane as the boat was quite rocky. I fell asleep, but numerous other passengers got sick.)

Ranger-led hike

Upon arrival at the island (to Windigo), we did a ranger-led nature hike. I highly recommend the hike — we learned a lot about the island and the animals on it. We then did some hikes on our own to look for moose. and fox Unfortunately we didn’t see any (even though there are currently 1500 moose on the island and lots of foxes), but we did go to a great ranger program where we learned all about moose.

Ranger-led talk on moose

Unfortunately Isle Royale day tours only give you about four hours on the island. (If you want to stay longer you need to camp — or go to the other side of the island to stay at the sole resort on the island). The four hours flew by. (Note there is potable water near the Windigo drop-off site, and the gift shop sells snacks.)

Upon return, we visited the close-by Grand Portage National Monument and remembered our elementary school history lessons about the fur trade.

Grand Portage National Monument

We ended with some great smoked trout in Grand Morais at Voyageurs Brewing. (The previous night we enjoyed some great fish at the Angry Trout Cafe.)

Smoked Trout

I highly recommend visiting Isle Royale National Park. I'm also very curious to see what happens with the wolf re-introduction (and would like to read more on the scientific debate surrounding it). 

If you’re a sailor, consider chartering a boat and sailing to the island.

Stay tuned for my post on Voyageurs National Park, which we visited in the same trip as Isle Royale.