5 Beautiful Hikes You Need to Take at Isle Royale National Park

The least visited national park outside of Alaska has some of the most spectacular views.

Isle Royale National Park is a beautiful remote island park sitting on the border between the U.S. and Canada.

Established in 1940, the park is only accessible by boat or plane, which helps to keep it secluded and pristine. This also allows the park to control the number of people coming onto the island at any time. As you can imagine, limiting the human population means maximizing the natural surroundings.  

Isle Royale is also the only National Park that completely shuts down during winter. This is due to the extreme weather that hits the island, making it inaccessible and unsafe for visitors.

Keep your eyes out for many of the wolves and moose that call the island home on the over 150 miles of hiking trails. Wolves,arrived on the island in the 1940s after using the frozen lake to make their way onto the island. Moose had no natural predators on the island, so their numbers were growing unchecked. The wolves helped to bring the population back into balance.

But with such a low population of humans, hiking these 5 trails can have you feeling completely in tune with nature. 

Mount Ojibway Trail

Looking to get a 360 degree view of the island? Take a trek up to the observation tower on Mount Ojibway trail.

This quick three-mile hike will take you through some beautiful old-growth forest. The trail, while on the shorter side compared to the others on this list, can make things difficult with a few inclines along the way. Parks and Landmarks recommends having a picnic lunch at the observation town so you can have a gorgeous view with your meal. 

Total Distance: 3.47 Miles

Elevation Gain: 774 Feet

Difficulty: Moderate -  Hiking

Route Type: Out & Back

Other Info:

• Isle Royale National Park charges a fee to get into the park
• No dogs allowed on this trail
• Bug spray is recommended on this trail

Scoville Point via Stoll Trail

Diverse ecosystems are what make a great hiking trail and Scoville Point via Stoll trail is the perfect candidate.

While mostly following the gorgeous shoreline, you can also get some spectacular views of Lake Superior. 

This is a great trail for bird watching as you make your way through the forest section after visiting the coast line.

Total Distance: 4.72 Miles

Elevation Gain: 177 Feet

Difficulty: Moderate -  Hiking

Route Type: Out & Back

Other Info:

• Isle Royale National Park charges a fee to get into the park
• No dogs allowed on this trail
• Bug spray is recommended on this trail

Rock Harbor Trail to Moskey Basin Campground

One of the more popular trails on the island, Rock Harbor Trail will provide you with a calming water backdrop as you head out onto a full day hike.

This trail is an excellent option for those looking to up the skill level of the trails while not committing to a multiday hike. But if you can handle the rocky parts of the trail and the longer distance, we definitely recommend making this hike.

Total Distance: 20.6 Miles

Elevation Gain: 849.7 Feet

Difficulty: Moderate -  Hiking

Route Type: Out & Back

Other Info:

• Isle Royale National Park charges a fee to get into the park
• No dogs allowed on this trail
• If you plan to stay at the campground overnight, reservations must be made prior
• This trail has some rocky sections so ensure you bring proper hiking footwear

Feldtmann Lake Loop Trail

Ready to get those feet moving with the first of 2 multi-day hikes on our list?  

Feldtmann Lake Loop is a fantastic option for those looking to see as much of the island as possible.

This trail will take you through some of the most varied landscapes on Isle Royale. You start in an old-growth forest, transition to wetlands and end along the shoreline of Feldtmann lake. 

There are campsites ready for full use when you are ready to end each day of hiking.

Total Distance: 20.6 Miles

Elevation Gain: 849.7 Feet

Difficulty: Hard -  Hiking

Route Type: Loop

Other Info:

• Isle Royale National Park charges a fee to get into the park
• No dogs allowed on this trail
• This trail is only recommended for people with a high fitness level or experience in back woods hiking
• Bug spray and lots of water is recommended when taking on this trail

Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor

If you want to see the entire landscape of Isle Royale National Park,  the Greenstone Ridge Trail is the hike for you.

This is the longest single trail on Isle Royale and will take you almost from coast to coast of the island. 

With tons of opportunities to see wildlife, plant species and some of the most beautiful views, this is definitely a bucket list hike. Just make sure you come prepared to face mother nature.

Total Distance: 39.5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 3992 Feet

Difficulty: Extreme - Hiking

Route Type: Point to Point

Other Info:

• Isle Royale National Park charges a fee to get into the park
• No dogs allowed on this trail
• This trail is only recommended for people with a high fitness level or experience in back woods hiking
• Bug spray and lots of water is recommended when taking on this trail
• This is a multi day hike that requires overnight camping, a permit must be obtained from the park ranger station

Taking the time to get on a boat or seaplane to visit Isle Royale National Park is definitely worth it. With so many amazing views and hikes, you won't be disappointed with the beauty this island has to offer.

One of the few spots that feels completely untouched by humans, Isle Royale is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!