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Trip Idea

# Paddle and Portage Interior Lakes at Isle Royale

Multiple Parks

| Duration   | Multiple Days                    |
|------------|----------------------------------|
| Topic(s)   | Water Trails, Wilderness, Trails |
| Activities | Canoe or Kayak Camping           |
| Type       | Solitary/Remote, Outdoors        |
| Parks      | Isle Royale National Park        |

Isle Royale National Park

## ** Tags

                -  isle royale national park 
                -  isle royale 
                -  midwest nps 
                -  lake superior parks 
                -  michigan 
                -  paddle 
                -  canoe 

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© Mike Ausema

### About Portaging Interior Lakes

**Rating**: Intermediate paddlers**Duration**: Multiple days**Essential Reading**: Isle Royale's newspaper, *The Greenstone***Recommended Vessel**: Canoe**Wayfinding**: Each portage is marked with a sign including the letter "P" to signify the portage trail. 

#### Portage Access

                              - McCargoe Cove
                              - Chippewa Harbor
                              - Malone Bay 
                              - Moskey Basin

#### Transporting a Vessel to Isle Royale

A trip to Isle Royale requires advanced planning—including how you will get your vessel to the island. Some passenger ferries transport canoes and kayaks to Isle Royale. The National Park Service passenger ferry, *Ranger III* transports canoes, kayaks, and small boats. What ferry you choose depends on where you are traveling from and where you are aiming to explore. 

#### Rock Harbor

                              - Queen IV
                              - Ranger III
                              - Voyageur II

#### Windigo

                              - Voyageur II
                              - Sea Hunter III

#### Getting to the Interior

It is possible to mix and match ferry transporation. You could bring a vessel on a ferry to an island transporation hub (Rock Harbor or Windigo) and utilize the *Voyageur II* to enter the island's interior. The *Voyageur II* transports kayaks and canoes to the following places:
                              - Windigo
                              - McCargoe Cove
                              - Belle Isle
                              - Rock Harbor
                              - Daisy Farm
                              - Chippewa Harbor
                              - Malone Bay

#### Itinerary

#### Portage from McCargoe Cove to Chippewa Harbor 

**Duration**: 5 days
                              - Night 1: McCargoe Cove Campground                                 - Arrive on a Wednesday via  Voyageur II  passenger ferry and explore McCargoe Cove
                                - Arrive via water taxi from  Rock Harbor Lodge                                    - Reservations are needed in advance 
                                - Day hike to  Minong Mine 
                              - Night 2: West Chickenbone Campground
                              - Night 3: Lake Richie Canoe Campground
                              - Night 4: Chippewa Harbor Campground                                 - Depart via  Voyageur II passenger ferry the next morning 

#### Essential Information

**Transportation**
                              - Planning a trip to Isle Royale can feel complicated. Figuring out your  transportation  is the first step. 
                              - Isle Royale is only accessible by seaplane, passenger ferry, or private boat. There are no roads or cars on Isle Royale.

**Permits**
                              -  Permits are required, regardless of group size or method of travel, for all overnight stays at campgrounds, cross country sites, docks, or at anchor.  
                              -  Traveling with a group of 7 or more? You will need advanced reservations to camp. Learn more about **group camping** at Isle Royale.  

**Entrance fees**
                              - There is no camping fee. There is a daily entrance fee of $7 per day. Plan ahead and  **pay your fees**  before your trip. 

**Invasive Species**
                              - Do your part to diminish the spread of  invasive species  in the park by wiping down gear and vessels after it has contacted Lake Superior and before putting in at an interior lake. 

**Nesting Loons**
                              - See a  loon  on land? Give it space. A nesting loon might not return if disturbed from its nest, which leaves loon chicks exposed to predators. 

First Timer Guide

### Help Isle Royale Stay Wild

#### Know Before You Go

                              - Isle Royale is isolated . Services are limited in the park. Be conservative and self-sufficient during your trip.
                              - Cell phone service  is unreliable. Do not depend on it.
                              - A State of Michigan  fishing license  is required to fish Lake Superior; you do not need a license for interior lakes and streams.
                              - Check  current conditions  in the park before your trip.

#### Play It Safe

                              - Stay hydrated.
                              - Watch the weather.  Conditions deteriorate quickly and unexpectedly.
                              - Basic  emergency services  are available on the island, but response and evacuation take time. Self-reliance in the only immediate option in an emergency.

#### Protect Your Park

                              - Leave what you find.  Removing, possessing, or disturbing park resources is prohibited.
                              - Pack it in, pack it out.  All trash and leftover food must be packed out of the backcountry.
                              - Store food properly  by securing in a hard sided, scent proof container, or doubled zip-lock bags.
                              - Campfires  are permitted only at a handful of campgrounds. A backpacking stove is recommended.

#### Share the Space

                              - Respect wildlife.  Observes from a safe distance. It is illegal to feed, touch, tease, or intentionally disturb wildlife, their homes, nests, or activities. 
                              - Dogs, cats, and other mammals  are not allowed, including pets on boats within park boundaries.
                              - Mosquitos and black flies  peak in June or July and can continue into August. Wasps are common. Bring an epinephrine kit if allergic to stings. 

              -  Isle Royale National ParkPortage from McCargoe Cove to Chickenbone Lake  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Pets:  No
- Location:  McCargoe Cove - Chickenbone Lake Portage Isle Royale National Park
- Duration:  1 Day
- Season:  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

Enter the island's interior by portaging from McCargoe Cove to Chickenbone Lake.
View Details 
              -  Isle Royale National ParkPortage from Chickenbone Lake to Lake Livermore  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Chickenbone Lake - Lake Livermore Portage at Isle Royale National Park
- Duration:  1 Day
- Season:  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

The portage between Chickenbone Lake and Lake Livermore is a short and steep 0.2 miles.
View Details 
              -  Isle Royale National ParkPortage from Lake Livermore to Lake LeSage  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Lake Livermore - Lake LeSage Portage at Isle Royale National Park
- Duration:  1 Day
- Season:  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

Portage from Lake Livermore to Lake LeSage and travel over the Greenstone Ridge along the Indian Portage Trail.
View Details 
              -  Isle Royale National ParkPortage from Lake LeSage to Lake Richie  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Lake LeSage - Lake Richie Portage at Isle Royale National Park
- Duration:  1 Day
- Season:  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

Portage 0.6 miles from Lake LeSage to Lake Richie over a rolling trail.
View Details 
              -  Isle Royale National ParkPortage from Lake Richie to Chippewa Harbor  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Lake Richie - Chippewa Harbor Portage at Isle Royale National Park
- Duration:  1 Day
- Season:  Spring,  Summer,  Fall

The portage between Lake Richie and Chippewa Harbor is 1.2 miles and connects to the island's exterior.
View Details