Visitor Services

Transportation Services

There are four ferries and one seaplane that provide service to and from Isle Royale National Park. All have different fares and schedules and reservations are strongly recommended. Services do fill up, especially in the peak season, late-July through mid-August. Make your reservation as soon as your travel dates are firm. For a more peaceful experience during our slow time, you may want to visit Isle Royale in late May, early June or September.

The M.V. Ranger III

The Motor Vessel Ranger III is the largest piece of moving equipment owned and operated by the National Park Service and the largest passenger ferry providing service to Isle Royale National Park. The Ranger III is 165 feet long, 34 feet wide, 650 ton vessel that carries 128 passengers. The ship with its crew of nine, offers interpretive and educational programs, a luncheon grill, three staterooms, four comfortable lounges, two decks and indoor and outdoor seating for passenger comfort. Unlike other service providers, the Ranger III offers transportation for private boats up to 20’00” or less and offers its patrons free parking at a secure lot. The ship operates out of Houghton, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Ranger III offers passenger services from June 2 through September 13. The ship travels from Houghton to Rock Harbor on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing Houghton at 9:00 a.m. EDT, and returns from Rock Harbor to Houghton on Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing Rock Harbor at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The leisurely ride to Isle Royale takes 6 hours.

Ranger III

Welcome aboard the Ranger III, one of the most unique ships to sail the Great Lakes. Unlike other Isle Royale ferry services, the Ranger III was designed by the National Park Service specifically to bridge the gap between the mainland and the Island. It was built to withstand the Lake’s fierce storms and its ice breaking capabilities assist in opening the park in the spring. An experienced nine-member crew take great pride in not only maintaining the vessel, but in serving its passengers. The Ranger III’s Captain, Bill Hanrahan, a graduate of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, has over 30 years of experience; the crews combined experience is just under 200 years.

The ship is just a tool for the crew to use, and as all tools it must be maintained. Major maintenance is conducted every five years when the ship goes into dry dock. During this dry docking, the ship is inspected, cleaned, painted, and upgraded with state-of-the-art  equipment. This inspection is conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping. The Ranger III is then stringently inspected twice annually by both the U.S. Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping. 

Your Isle Royale journey starts at this vessel’s home port of Houghton, Michigan. The 73 mile journey takes 5 hours. During the first hour of the trip, the ship navigates the scenic shores of the Keweenaw Waterway, passing under the world’s largest lift bridge. Once on the open water, the journey creates an opportunity to appreciate the size and breadth of the big lake. This allows visitors to shed the hustle and bustle of everyday life, preparing them for their wilderness adventure. As Isle Royale approaches, a picturesque seascape is revealed through the historic Rock Harbor Lighthouse. An hour later seafaring ends at your destination, Rock Harbor; but your backcountry adventure is about to begin.  

So why not start your own Isle Royale adventure by going on-line and making a Ranger III reservation. Welcome aboard!

Rock Harbor Lodge

The Rock Harbor Lodge, located on the northeast corner of Isle Royale National Park, is the only lodging facility on the Island. We invite you to use Rock Harbor Lodge as a base to explore the park.

The following services are provided by the Rock Harbor Lodge:

Lodge Rooms
Sixty rooms are available; each accommodates four persons and offers a private bath.  Each room provides a Lake Superior view.

Housekeeping Rooms
Twenty duplex cottages with kitchenettes accommodates six and offers a private bath. The room is furnished with utensils, dishware, double bed, and two bunk beds.

Gift Shop and Dockside Store
The gift shop offers handcrafted gifts, apparel, photo supplies, postcards, and souvenirs. The store offers groceries, freeze dried foods, daily fishing licenses, fishing tackle, stove fuel, camping, hiking, and boating accessories, showers, laundry facilities, and sundries.

Dining Room and Greenstone Grill
The dining room offers hearty meals, including fresh Lake Trout. Visitors are welcome for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The grill is open daily.

Marina and Water Taxi
The marina offers 450 feet of dock space in Rock Harbor, accommodating boats up to 65 feet.  Electrical, fresh water hook-up, sewage pump-out, gasoline and diesel fuel, motorboat, canoe, and kayak rental available. Water taxi service can drop off or pick up visitors, canoes, or kayaks at many island docks.

Fishing Charters and Sightseeing
Charters are fully equipped and troll the reefs on the northeast part of the Island. Sightseeing trips travel to different island destinations. Some involve a short hike with a ranger.  

Windigo Store and Marina
The store offers groceries, cold sandwiches, camping supplies, stove fuel, daily fishing licenses and tackle, gifts and photo supplies. The marina offers gasoline, sewage pump-out, and motorboat, canoe, and kayak rental. Shower and laundry facilities are also available.