Summary
$7/day
Per person entrance fee
10 live
Camera
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is July–August, when around 63% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for October–May.
Plan Your Visit
Remoteness & Water SafetySelf-reliance required▾
Ferry & Seaplane AccessMultiple operators▾
From Houghton, MINPS ferry
Ranger III
The park's own ferry, roughly a 6-hour crossing to Rock Harbor. Schedule released each late winter/early spring.
From Grand Portage, MNConcessioner
Voyageur II & Sea Hunter III
Faster crossings to Windigo or Rock Harbor; camper one-way fares run roughly $100–$120/adult in 2026 (varies by route and trip type).
Wolf-Moose StudyLongest-running in the world▾
CampingBackcountry permit▾
Things to Do5 categories▾
Hiking Trails4 trails▾
Stoll Trail — Scoville PointEasy–Mod.
Figure-eight day hike from Rock Harbor past old mine sites to the rocky tip of Scoville Point; wooded on the Tobin Harbor side, rocky and exposed on the Rock Harbor side
1.9–4.2 mi loop
Greenstone Ridge Trail40+ mi one-way · Multi-day
The island's backbone route along its highest ridge, running from Windigo to Lookout Louise
Feldtmann Loop30+ mi loop · Multi-day
Loop through the island's southwestern end past Feldtmann Lake and Rainbow Cove
Minong Ridge TrailStrenuous
The island's most challenging route — bare ridge walking, steep climbs/descents, and changing trail conditions
30+ mi
Paddling2 ways▾
Inland Lake CanoeingPermit for overnight stays
Calmer paddling on the island's interior lakes, linked in places by portage trails
Lake Superior KayakingExperienced paddlers only
Open-water paddling requires ACA Level 3 certification (or equivalent) and a sea kayak 15+ ft with sealed bulkheads; 1–3+ ft waves and fog are common
Scuba Diving2 things to know▾
Shipwreck DivingRegister at Rock Harbor/Windigo/Houghton
One of the best-preserved shipwreck collections in the National Park System, spanning 70 years of Lake Superior shipping — including the SS Kamloops, SS America & SS Congdon
Cold-Water ConditionsDrysuit recommended
Surface temps rarely top 55°F, dropping to 34–37°F below 50 ft; full wetsuit required, drysuit recommended
Fishing2 ways▾
Lake Superior FishingLicense required
Bays, harbors & open water; Michigan fishing license required (anglers 17 and under exempt)
Interior Lakes FishingNo license needed
No license needed; barbless hooks and artificial lures only, live/preserved bait prohibited. Brook trout and lake herring/whitefish are catch-and-release only
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Common Loon
Haunting call across the island's lakes
Bald Eagle
Nests along the Lake Superior shoreline
Osprey
Fishes the interior lakes
Common Raven
Year-round island resident
Herring Gull
Common along the rocky shore
Park Contact Information