Isle Royale National Park cabins range from rustic shelters with minimal amenities to more developed camper cabins requiring advance reservations. Located in Lake Superior with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,300 feet, the island's remote location means cabin accommodations must be carefully planned around seasonal ferry schedules that typically operate from mid-April through October. The island's northeastern section tends to receive more precipitation than the southwestern end, affecting cabin availability and comfort.
What to do
Hiking to Three Mile Campground: Take the 2.7-mile trail from Rock Harbor to Three Mile Campground for an easy day hike. "The trail that connects on either side of the campground is made up of huge rock slabs that are just feet away from Lake Superior, and there's old mining grounds just West of the Three Mile campground that are fun to walk around, just be aware of bees!" notes Alexa S.
Wildlife viewing at Washington Creek: The cabins and shelters at Washington Creek Campground offer excellent opportunities to spot wildlife. "This is a great place to see moose," reports Evan G., while Matt S. mentions another common visitor: "The fox trying to steal our shoes in the middle of the night was annoying, but overall, a great experience."
Swimming access: The rocky shoreline near cabin sites provides refreshing swimming spots during summer months. Jason H. at Three Mile Campground notes, "Swimming off the remnants of the dock and such easy access to the lake made for a wonderful experience."
What campers like
Sheltered accommodations: The wooden shelters at Daisy Farm Campground provide basic but appreciated protection from the elements. "Some sites with shelters and some sites without. This was my favorite campsite out of all the ones I stayed at on the island due to the proximity to Lake Superior and the fact that we were able to snag one of the sites with a shelter that was 'lakefront'," shares Tori K.
Water access from cabins: Many campers appreciate lakefront shelter locations. At Rock Harbor Campground, shelters are convenient for those arriving or departing the island. "The shelters at Rock Harbor Campground were especially welcoming to us at the end of our 40-mile trek across Isle Royale," notes SwitchbackKids.
Simple facilities: The basic but functional amenities near cabins meet essential needs. Rock Harbor Campground "had a picnic table, water and bathrooms nearby," according to SwitchbackKids. Another camper mentions, "It is the most established campground we stayed at. It had pottable water on tap. It had a ranger station and a small store."
What you should know
Availability constraints: Shelter and cabin accommodations fill quickly, especially at popular locations. At Daisy Farm, Jason H. cautions, "It's a very popular and crowded site. Decent vault toilets but the dock and walkouts to the rocky beach make for easy access to the water."
Weather considerations: Cabins and shelters offer varying protection from elements. Nicole L. warns about Three Mile: "We scrambled for a shelter, but the only shelter with room for 3 people was right on the water... and the wind, rain, and mist from the lake sprayed right inside."
Supply limitations: Bring necessary provisions as resupply options are limited. At Washington Creek, Matthew G. advises, "There is a small store with the basics; Dry and canned food, beer, wine, soda, ice and some souvenirs. All the basics you would need to survive if you showed up with no food as long as you are not picky. No fresh meat or produce though."
Mainland alternatives: For easier access to cabin accommodations, Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground offers mainland options with greater amenities. "There were tent sites all along the beach front to watch the sunset and pick rocks. Most sites are fairly level," reports Stephen L.
Tips for camping with families
Consider Windigo Cabins: The developed cabins at Windigo provide comfortable family accommodations. Sarah C. details, "There are two separate bedrooms, each with a set of bunk beds and a common area with a futon and small table. There is a picnic table outside and a nice Adirondack chair on the porch."
Bring entertainment: Limited activities for children means families should pack games and activities. At Washington Creek, amenities are minimal but the setting provides natural entertainment, as Matthew G. notes: "Everyone is super-friendly. There are 15 individual wooded campsites. 5 are tent/hammock sites and 10 have a shelter."
Plan for bathroom access: Cabin and shelter locations have varying proximity to toilets and water sources. At Daisy Farm, one camper mentions, "There are a few bathrooms a short distance from the shelters but they are a little hard to find the further east you get."
Tips from RVers
Mainland accommodations: RVers should base at mainland locations like Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground, as no RV camping exists on Isle Royale. "The side of the campground we were on had lots of buffers between the sites in the form of pine trees. Each site had a gorgeous campfire ring made out of stones pulled off of the beach," reports Amy G.
Facilities for comfort: Mainland RV parks offer amenities not found on the island. According to RJ W., "The facilities are well maintained and the owner and camp host are the some of the most down to earth people we have met. There's a camp store that has limited supplies but have the essentials."
Site selection: Choose sites based on rig size and proximity to Lake Superior. Jeremy B. advises, "The lake shore sites have beautiful, full views of the lake but just know that many sites will be a tight fit for larger rigs. We have a 26' travel trailer and stayed in the newer loop a little ways away from the beach."
