Houghton, MI [26], The two main rock assemblages found on the island include the Portage Lake Volcanics and the Copper Harbor Conglomerate, both Precambrian in age. It takes 3.5 hours to make the 55 mile crossing. Plan ahead and prepare before your trip. According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. [21] Due to genetic inbreeding, the wolf population had declined to two individuals in 2016, causing researchers to expect that the island's wolf population would eventually become extinct. However, David Johnson and Susan Martin contend that their estimate was based on exaggerated and inaccurate assumptions. Either the wind is blowing, the waves crashing on the shoreline, the birds singing, the crickets chirping, the mosquitoes buzzing or people chatting. Isle Royale is the only American national park to entirely close in the winter months, from November 1 through April 15, due to extreme weather conditions and for the safety and protection of visitors. Size and Visitation of Isle Royale National Park. Isle Royale National Park is an American national park consisting of Isle Royale and hundreds of adjacent islands, as well as the surrounding waters of Lake Superior, in the state of Michigan. Some campgrounds in the interior are accessible only by trail or by canoe/kayak on the island lakes. The island has hundreds of pits from these indigenous peoples, with most in the McCargoe Cove area. Multiple ferries and a seaplane service transport visitors to the park. The Voyageur transports kayaks and canoes for visitors wanting to explore the island from the water. Round Trip Airfare from Houghton to Rock Harbor or Windigo will cost $330 during peak and $320 during off seasons. [15] In addition, the environment is unique in that it is the only known place where wolves and moose coexist without the presence of bears.[16]. Isle Royale is located in the northwest section of Lake Superior, and is actually closer to Canada than to the United States (being only 15-18 miles from Canada and about 50 miles away from the U.S.). Isle Royale, the largest island in Lake Superior, is over 45 miles (72 km) in length and 9 miles (14 km) wide at its widest point. Isle Royale National Park encompasses 133,872 acres of land (132,018 of which are designated wilderness) and a total of 571,790 acres of protected land and water. The park has 36 designated wilderness campgrounds. Menong, or Minong, was the native term for the island, and is the basis for Minong Ridge. A boat shuttle can carry hikers back to their starting point. Get on a boat: Of the nearly 900 square miles that comprise Isle Royale National Park, just 209 square miles is above water, which means the rest is an aquatic wonderland. IRNP is a remote wilderness renowned for its hiking, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. This is regional map of Isle Royale, showing Lake Superior and ferry routes from Houghton, Copper Harbor, and Grand Portage.Click the image to view a full size JPG (100 kb) or download the PDF (50 kb).. Only accessible to humans by boat or seaplane, Isle Royale is the least-visited national park in the continental United States. Although the island is actually much closer to Ontario, Isle Royale is a part of the United States. Isle Royale is an isolated island in the middle of Lake Superior. The improbability of these theories received little scrutiny until recent years. Stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge or Windigo Camper Cabins. Isle Royale is one of the most unusual national parks, not just in Michigan or the Midwest but in the country. [24] As of June 7, 2018, the decision to relocate 20-30 wolves to the island has been approved and the NPS is actively developing specific implementation strategies. 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