Isle Royale: Sea Kayaking & Camping

Located 22 miles offshore in the world's largest lake, Isle Royale is the most realistic sea-like destination for sea kayakers in the Midwest. The waters can be calm or challenging, offering both adventure and wild beauty as we paddle the southern shore and nearby Amygdaloid Islands. From protected coves to exposed points, and abandoned fishing villages to restored lighthouses, Isle Royale offers a fantastic sea kayaking escape. You will also have plenty of time to relax and explore some of the many hiking trails found within the least-visited national park in the world. Daily Itinerary

- Activities: Sea Kayaking & Camping
- Van Supported: No
- From: Rock Harbor, Isle Royale
- 2008 Price: $1,095

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Day 1: We'll meet in Grand Portage, MN to spend the night getting acquainted over dinner and spend the night at a local campground. We rise early the next morning to catch the ferry out to Isle Royale.

Day 2 -6: Upon arrival in Rock Harbor we will unload our kayaks and spend some time reviewing the basics of sea kayaking and refreshing our bracing and rescue skills. Some of the seas we encounter this week will be challenging and exciting, with swells that range up to six feet.
From there, we will head out paddling our way around the island, exploring the many secluded bays and beaches. Over 200 smaller islands surround the main reach, from rocky outcrops hardly big enough for a gull's perch to the four mile long Amygdaloid Island. Like chips of a fallen star or shards of the moon, these tiny outcrops are out of reach for hikers and remain as the domain of paddlers. If time and conditions permit, we will make the crossing around the tip of the island and explore the southern region. Highlights here include the Edisen Fishery, Cemetery Island, and Lake Superior Maritime Museum found at the historic Rock Harbor Lighthouse.

Day 7: We pack up our gear and prepare to leave this beautiful island, returning to Grand Portage by ferry, to spend one last night at a local campground (we try to camp near some hot showers this night!), celebrating and enjoying the week's memories.

Day 8: Breaking camp a final time, we make our farewells and head home.

Camping is primitive but comfortable at the five national park campgrounds. We ask that you participate in all camp activities, including cooking, washing dishes and setting up and breaking camp, in order to hone your wilderness camping skills and have the finest and most complete outdoor experience possible.

**This itinerary is subject to change.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Q: What makes this trip so special?
A: Isle Royale is one of the Midwest's best kept secrets. As the largest island in Lake Superior, Isle Royale offers wonderful opportunities for all who make the crossing to visit her shores. For the sea kayaker, the waters surrounding IR range from quiet and protected in her bays, to exposed and rough. The wildlife often comes right to your campsite as Moose and Fox peak their noses from behind trees to check out our camp. Late at night, we may be lucky enough to hear the beautiful howl of a Wolf, or the yelps of nearby Coyotes. All in all, Isle Royale offers a wilderness experience in its truest sense; tranquil forests, clear waters, bays that call you in to explore their depths and the stillness of the wilderness.

Q: How do I get there?
A: Isle Royale is, at its closest point, 14 miles off Minnesota's shoreline in the heart of Lake Superior. We will meet in small village of Grand Portage, Minnesota where we will spend the night before catching the ferry over to Isle Royale the next morning. Grand Portage lies about 10 hours north of Chicago, and about 2 hours north of the Duluth International Airport. Upon Registering for the trip you will receive a map and exact directions to our meeting location. Participants wishing to carpool, or get a ride up from the Duluth airport, should contact The Northwest Passage office.

Q: What's the weather like?
A: The weather on Isle Royale in mid-September can range from beautiful and sunny to rainy and cool. Temperatures during the day can range from 50-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the evenings the lows can reach into the 30's.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: This trip is a camping trip. The Northwest Passage will provide two-person tents for participants to share and all the necessary group camping equipment. Those wishing to have an individual tent should contact us regarding the availability of a single supplement. Often the campsites on Isle Royale will have outhouses and lean-to's which can be used for cooking and/or sleeping purposes. When traveling in the backcountry, NWP practices Leave No Trace camping techniques. This means that we will pack out all of our garbage, and minimize our impact on the land as much as possible. Your help in this endeavor is greatly appreciated!

Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Once you register you will receive an equipment list that will help guide you in your packing. In addition to your personal accessories, you will need to have an assortment of insulating clothes as well as a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. Feel free to contact our office for any questions regarding gear and/or clothing, as we want to make sure that you are comfortable during the trip.

Q: Can I drink the water?
A: The drinking water on Isle Royale comes from either Lake Superior or the inland lakes and rivers. While it is very clean and tasty we will be treating the water before we drink it. For our water purification we will be carrying both filtering pumps and iodine tablets.

Q: What's the food like?
A: We plan for delicious food on the Isle Royale trip - and plenty of it. Dinners will range from delicious spaghetti to fajitas with desserts every night. While some of our food will be freeze-dried, the majority will be fresh food cooked into delicious meals every night. Lunches will include an assortment of trail mixes and snacks, sandwiches and plenty of beverages. Breakfasts will provide a good start to your day with an assortment of hot dishes, oatmeals, breakfast bars and hot drinks. Any dietary restrictions should be made known well in advance of the trip.

Q: What time is it on Isle Royale?
A: Isle Royale is on Eastern Standard Time.

Q: How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
A: Once on Isle Royale it will be very difficult to access a phone, therefore we recommend that you have all of your personal matters in order before the trip departure. We will be asking you to provide us with an emergency contact whom we can contact on your behalf if necessary.

Q: How much time do we spend kayaking etc. each day? How many miles do we travel? Do I have free time?
A: We will be kayaking up to 15 miles each day, with breaks along the way to relax, eat, and stretch out our legs. We will generally aim to be out on the water in the early morning when the winds are calmer and off by late afternoon. We'll plan time in the evenings for relaxation, fishing, hiking, or simply reading a book.

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
A: We use high quality, durable equipment for all of our kayaking and camping purposes. Our tents are either Eureka or Kelty lightweight tents and we have a variety of Polyethylene sea kayaks.

Q: How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides/what are their qualifications?
A: The minimum number of people needed to make this trip go is 5. Generally our groups are fairly small (between 5-10 people), and we maintain a ratio of one guide for every five participants. Our guides are all experienced in all aspects of wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups. They all hold certifications in Wilderness First Aid.

Q: Can I plug in my hair dryer? What about my electric razor?
A: Not on this trip as there will be no access to electricity. There will be an opportunity to shower/shave on the last night after we return to the mainland.

Q: Is it customary to tip the guides?
A: Tipping the Northwest Passage guides is unnecessary. In lieu, you can write a thank you letter, which is always appreciated.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

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