Isle Royale 2024
Save the Date!
Join us from June 15-20, 2024 for a six day, five night trip of a lifetime.
With numerous lakes, bays and islands, miles of waterways await the experienced kayaker in Isle Royale National Park. Each year Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply looks forward to planning and leading a trip for up to five lucky participants. This year, the guides will be John and Marie. While we haven’t finalized our itinerary for this year yet, take a look at some of our past trips:
Day 1: Meet at our store in Grand Marais before departing at 6am to travel to the Grand Portage ferry landing. Ferry departs at 7:30am, and the group enjoys the scenic ride to Isle Royale. Around 10am everyone checks in and receives an orientation from the staff at the Windigo Visitor Center before the ferry continues its trek around the north side of the island and docks at Rock Harbor, where we spend the first night. After unloading and setting up camp the group enjoys time to explore before or after dinner, perhaps hiking to Scoville Point.
Day 2: After having breakfast and taking down camp, the group hops on the water and paddles 6 protected miles to the Daisy Farm Campground while passing a ton of smaller islands. After setting up camp the group might hike up to the Ojibwe Fire Tower on Greenstone Ridge. Or paddle over to the Rock Harbor Lighthouse, which includes a 50-foot white round brick tower that is attached to a keeper's house, and that now serves as a museum.
Day 3: Today’s paddle is about 7 miles from Daisy Farm to Chippewa Harbor. If the group is up for an early start they have another chance to stop at the Rock Harbor Lighthouse along the way. While paddling the group can spy Mount Saginaw and the Johnson/Olson Fishery. After setting up camp, the group may decide to hop onto the Indian Portage Trail to look for moose before reaching Lake Richie for some warmer swimming waters.
Day 4: The group will put in some miles today, paddling approximately 9 miles to Malone Bay. This is one of the longest stretches, but there are lovely places to pull off the water when it’s time for a break including Blueberry Cove, Greenstone Beach or a number of smaller islands. Here the group can explore some of these islands, or they can take a break from their boats by heading over to Siskiwit Lake using the Ishpeming Trail.
Day 5: Perhaps the group is ready for a layover day, leaving camp set up. They may portage their unloaded kayaks 0.25 miles into Siskiwit Lake where there’s no need for wetsuits. The group enjoys paddling to some of the islands found in Siskiwit, afterwards sharing with friends that they were on an island in the the largest lake on the largest island of the world’s largest lake. (Try saying that three times fast!)
Day 6: Time to pack up all the gear and prepare to greet the ferry at 10am to begin the journey back to the mainland. Groups may decide to do a sunrise hike to bid the island farewell. The ferry will arrive at Grand Portage around 3pm where our van will be waiting to bring everyone back to Grand Marais. After dropping off rental equipment and retrieving all personal items our guests are free to leave while our team handles the clean up.
Please Note: Itineraries are never finalized until conditions allow it. We can’t always predict what the wind, waves and weather will be like. Backup itineraries are in place depending on how these factors impact the group during the trip.
Moose alert! Participants on past trips have found moose or other signs of them, like the antlers shed during winter.
What to Expect
The total cost for this experience is $2,200 per person. We will hold your spot with a deposit of $1,100 to cover the ferry tickets, entrance fees and food. The full balance will be due two weeks prior to the trip - June 10th, 2023. We provide just about everything you’ll need, including:
Kayak, paddle, dry bags and related equipment
Wetsuit and a Personal Floatation Device, or “PFD” (also known as a life jacket)
Meals and basic snacks (we recommend packing your favorite snacks)
All camping gear including tents, sleeping bags, stoves, fuel, utensils, etc.
Applicable permits, entry fees and ferry tickets
We do not supply the clothes, toiletries or personal items that you’ll want or need during the trip other than the specialized equipment required to participate (you bring your shirts, we’ll bring the wetsuits). If there are certain snacks you enjoy bringing on your overnight trips you will be required to supply those on your own.
Equipment Note: Folks are invited to bring their personal gear as they prefer and insurance allows. We have equipment available regardless, but will need to know what folks plan to bring by June 1st so that we can manage our rental fleet accordingly.
Participant Requirements
Stone Harbor seeks to make this adventure as accessible as possible, inviting those with no or limited experience to join us as well as seasoned paddlers. With that in mind, there is an element of risk present in the activities of this trip that is impossible to completely remove without taking away the aspects that make sea kayaking trips unique. We find that some prior kayaking experience is helpful but not necessary. At this time participants must be willing and able to meet the following requirements to join this tour:
Perform a wet exit while wearing a spray skirt. This is typically done the afternoon or evening before the ferry departs for the island. Our staff can teach first timers, though we recommend watching this video so you understand what is expected. Participants are also encouraged to understand an assisted re-entry or re-entry.
Have the ability to sit in a sea kayak with your legs in front of you for 3-4 hours each day. Paddling mileage ranges from 6 - 11 miles (5.2 - 9.6 nautical miles) each day, so depending on the float plan some days may be shorter and others may be longer. Expect an average of 3-4 hours per day with breaks for meals, snacks, weather or as needed.
Wear a wetsuit while paddling on Lake Superior. June has an average water temperature of 39°F to 43°F (4°C to 6°C). A person could go into shock in those temperatures in as little as a few minutes or as long as 3 hours. As part of our risk management protocols we require that all participants wear a wetsuit whenever paddling on the big lake.
Preparing for the Trip
In the months leading up to our departure, participants should expect an update from our team at least once per month until May. By then we’ll be hard at work finalizing the details of the trip, and weekly communications are common as we coordinate group meals and equipment needs. Our goal is to have all of our ducks in a row by the time June arrives to take the stress out of trip planning during our busy season. We’ll touch base as needed to help ensure that everyone’s questions are answered before we hit the water. This includes completing a health history form, including emergency contact information, so that our team can provide the best possible support.
Folks can learn more about the current conditions at Isle Royale here. This includes information about fires, bugs, weather and wildlife. We also recommend reviewing the National Park Service’s safety recommendations for Isle Royale by visiting their Paddling Safety and For Your Safety pages. Folks should note their reminder about cell phones - service on the island is not consistent or reliable, and participants should consider this when making their trip plans.
Want to learn more about Isle Royale National Park? Click here to explore the island’s news, history, research and more.
Cancellation Policy
Life happens, we get it! If things change on your end we are happy to refund all fees paid less the cost of the ferry ticket, or $310, until the end of the day on May 31, 2024. After May 31st we are unable to refund any fees paid. If your spot on the trip is filled later we can then refund your fees.
Latest Updates
Last Updated on 2/25/2024.
Beth has been working hard to review ferry schedules and purchase tickets. Our spot on the Grand Portage ferry is officially saved! We’re now taking a hard look at our itinerary as well as the predicted forecasts while reviewing our equipment to ensure everything will be up to snuff when we hit the water.
Still Have Questions?
There’s a lot of information to cover, and we recognize that one blog post isn’t enough space for every question folks might have. If you have any more questions or would like to register just Contact Us or email our Isle Royale trip coordinator, Beth, at: bethp@stoneharborws.com