Before You Go

Rock Harbor Lodge and Isle Royale National Park offer a truly unique north woods experience. Before you visit us, here are a few things you need to know!

Check In and Check Out:

• Check-in is anytime after 4:00 PM and check-out is at 10:30 AM.
• Every effort will be made to accommodate early check-in; however, we cannot guarantee it, please visit the Lodge Office upon arrival.

Luggage:

• Our bellhop will pick up your luggage at the ferry dock upon arrival and secure your luggage until your room is ready.
• If you are arriving earlier than check-in time you may want to bring, wear or pack a carry on separately to the island as you will not have access to your luggage for a few hours.
• We can hold carry on luggage in the office until your room is ready, if you would like to enjoy a hike or a sightseeing tour between arrival and check-in.
• Our bellhop will pick up your luggage the day of departure.

Ferries Arrival Departure Times:

Isle Royale Queen, Copper Harbor, Michigan:
Arrives in Rock Harbor: 11:30 AM EST
Departs Rock Harbor (same day): 2:45 PM EST (Please be ready to board the boat no later than 2:15 PM EST)

*If departing on the Isle Royale Queen IV please have your luggage pack and ready, locked in your room no later than 10 AM EST if you would like your luggage picked up the day of your departure.

Ranger III, Houghton, Michigan:
Arrives in Rock Harbor: 3 PM EST
Departs Rock Harbor (next day): 9 AM EST

*If departing on the Ranger III please have your luggage pack and ready, locked in your room no later than 8 AM EST if you would like your luggage picked up the day of your departure.

Isle Royale Seaplanes, Houghton, Michigan & Grand Marais, Minnesota:
Arrival/ Departure times will vary, please be at the seaplane dock (Tobin Harbor) at least 30 minutes before your departure time. Isle Royale Seaplanes from Houghton, MI operates on EASTERN TIME.

*If departing on Isle Royale Seaplanes please have your luggage pack and ready, locked in your room at least 1 hour prior to departure if you would like your luggage picked up.

Voyageur II, Grand Portage, Minnesota:
Arrives in Rock Harbor sometime between 3 PM or 4 PM (depends on how many interisland stops they make!)
Departs Rock Harbor (next day): 9 AM EST

*If departing on the Voyageur II please have your luggage pack and ready, locked in your room no later than 8 AM EST if you would like your luggage picked up the day of your departure.
***Please note that Rock Harbor Lodge operates on Eastern Time.
***The Voyageur II operates on Central Time.

Getting to the Lodge Upon Arrival:

Once you arrive to the island via Isle Royale Queen IV, Ranger III, or Voyageur II, you will walk around “Snug Harbor” on a paved trail (~3 minute walk) to the Lodge Office to check-in.

If you arrive by Seaplane you will have to walk up the hill from Tobin Harbor, down the hill to Rock Harbor, check-in at the visitor center (to check user fees) and then continue around the harbor to the Lodge Office.

You will have to walk to the Lodge Office to check-in for your Housekeeping Cottage.

Park User Fees:

Please visit the National Park Service webpage for information on user park fees.

The Park Fees are administered by the National Park Service, please direct your questions to the National Park Service.

Rock Harbor Area Maps:

• Rock Harbor Area Guide 2015
• Lighthouse Brochure

Isle Royale National Park Average Temperatures:

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Isle Royale’s weather can be very unpredictable and can change very quickly. Because Isle Royale is located in the middle of Lake Superior please be prepared for cold, and rainy weather. We recommend packing/dressing in layers, bringing sturdy hiking shoes as well as a rain jacket!

Bugs:

When do the bugs come out?/When do the bugs die down?
A: The bugs usually come out when the island starts to warm up and when the rain starts to recede. So, if you're planning on coming earlier in the season, you will often times face less bugs, then if you were to come in July or August. By September the bugs have usually decimated. No matter what part of the season it is, the bugs will get worse the further inland you go within the island. If you are staying pretty close to the lodge, the bugs usually don't get that bad, because the lodge is on the water and the lake breeze sweeps them away. If you are at all concerned about the bugs (and by bugs I mean mosquitos, black flies, horse flies) we would recommend bringing any bug protection that you think you might need (bug spray, bug repellant wrist bands, mesh head and body gear). FUN FACT! Isle Royale is home to many different kinds of crawly creatures; however, Isle Royale does not have ticks, or any other poisonous bugs, or even poisonous plants!

FAQ:

Please visit our FAQ page here: https://www.rockharborlodge.com/faq for additional information!!