Summer of the RV Rental – Isle Royale National Park

 

With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, people are having to rethink their summer vacations. Naturally, they’re shying away from various forms of mass transit like planes and trains. This leaves many people with just one option left for a summer getaway; a road trip! When it comes to road trips, the options in terms of lodging are endless. However, what better way is there to experience a road trip than renting an RV and traveling in style? 

 

One of our favorite places to experience the great outdoors is at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. This beautiful national park is located on an island in the middle of Lake Superior! This makes it the perfect getaway (literally) from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! This secluded island is accessible only via boat or seaplane. If you don’t have either of these craft, don’t worry, there is a ferry open to the public that can bring you there! 

 

Once you are on the island, there are tons of different things to do in the great outdoors. If you’re wondering what’s available to do, we’ve put together a list to help you plan out your trip!

 

Explore Rock Harborpic of water and blue sky at isle royale national park

If you’re going to Isle Royale National Park, this is probably where your adventure will start. This is a common drop off point for the vessels that bring you to the island. Since many adventures start here, Rock Harbor is home to many of the island’s amenities and creature comforts. Here you will find a couple restaurants, a visitor center, a gift shop, and water transport to some of the surrounding islands and other points of interest.

 

Take a Trip to Passage Island

In order to get to Passage Island, you’re going to have to go a bit off the beaten path! A boat can pick you up from the main island, and bring you over to Passage Island. There you will find some hiking trails, as well as a lighthouse standing tall atop the island. It is indeed a marvel of architecture, as it has been atop the island since 1881!

 

Hike the Greenstone Ridge Trail

With roughly 40 miles of trail, you are guaranteed to find adventure around every corner on the Greenstone Ridge Trail. Following this trail in its entirety will take you through nearly 1,000 feet of change in elevation, so it is not for the faint of heart! However, there are many stopping points along the way, so trekking the full 40 miles isn’t needed to see the beauty of the island. You can just use it to get from one sightseeing destination to the next if you please!

 

Check Out Pete Edisen Fishery

At one point in time Pete Edisen Fishery was, well, a fishery. As of today, it has been retired as a fishery. However, the memory of it still lives on. Nowadays, it is operated as a museum by the National Park Service. When you go to the fishery today you will find tools of the fishery trade, dating all the way back to the 1880’s! Like many things on the island, you can hike your way over to the fishery, or take a ferry over if you don’t feel like making the trek.

 

Explore Scoville Point

Scoville Point is one of the most popular destinations on the island! It’s just a short hike from Rock Harbor, so it is one of the more easily accessible landmarks on the island. On the hike over, the things you may see are limitless. Travelers have reported seeing bald eagles, moose antlers, and even real-life moose along their journey to Scoville Point! Once you are there the views of the rocky shore are breathtaking, so be sure to bring a camera along for the trip!

 

pic of two moose at isle royale national parkHike Over to Suzy’s Cave

Just a few miles away from Rock Harbor, Suzy’s Cave is another short-day trip that can be taken while you’re at the park. Along the trail you will find something new and exciting around every corner, and possibly even some wildlife. You may even get to meet Isle Royale National Park’s own “Bruce the Moose”. Once you get to the cave, feel free to explore it and take some pictures, but don’t venture down too far!