In 2003, Isle Royale Resorts - Rock Harbor Lodge was certified to ISO 14001, an internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The benefits of initiating an EMS in accordance with ISO 14001 standards are many: identifying areas for reduction in energy and other resource consumption; reducing environmental liability and risk; helping maintain consistent compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements; benefiting from regulatory incentives that reward companies showing environmental leadership through certified compliance with internationally recognized EMS standards; preventing pollution and reducing waste; improving community good will; profiting in the market for "green" products and demonstrating commitment to high quality.
Isle Royale is such a special and unique place, as it can be raining and foggy one moment, and then sunny, bright, and warm the next. Our advice is pack in layers (tanks, t-shirts, sweaters, pullovers, rain jacket, and a warm jacket). Even in the warmest times in the summer, the evenings can remain chilly. By packing in layers, you can take one off or put one on as the day warms/cools. A rain jacket, or rain poncho will certainly come in handy in case a rain shower pops up.
All our supplies and food come out to the island on Ranger III. Because Ranger III makes its escape to the island only twice a week, that is how often our supplies get replenished. Because we operate so remotely, as well as in conjunction with the Ranger III schedule, we have no control as to the quality or quantity of the goods when they finally make it to us nor the week-by-week demand of menu items. Although it may seem like lack of planning to run out of a food item here and there, but we assure you we do our best to always maintain every menu item; however, it is common for us to run out of or refuse to serve a menu item if it is not up to our standard. For example, we advertise that we sell fresh, locally caught fish, but if the local fishermen do not catch enough fish to feed the demand of our guests, we simply cannot serve fish. Because we intend to keep our integrity, we will not outsource fish from other parts of the world and sell it as our own local. By any means, no one is going to go hungry at Rock Harbor Lodge.
We get our power from a diesel-powered generator. However, Rock Harbor Lodge in conjunction with the National Park Service have made efforts to switch our power from diesel powered generators to solar powered generators!
Although we work together with the transportation lines frequently, we are separate companies than the transportation lines. Each transportation line is a privately-owned company (except for Ranger III, owned by the National Park Service), therefore we can only provide the information that they provide to us, to you. Please also understand that though we work alongside the National Park Service, we have no control as to when they open, when they do tours, or access to their facilities.
Yes, we sell fuel at the Dockside Store as well as the Windigo Camp store. We sell isobutane mixed fuel, as well as white gas. If you are planning to fly to Isle Royale, you will have to purchase your fuel at one of these stores as you are not able to fly with fuel. Because we understand how important fuel having is for your backpacking trip, we carry an ample fuel supply at both ends of the island.
Because we are here to serve the park visitors, as well as make sure that everyone has an enjoyable experience on Isle Royale, we will have camp fuel available for you to purchase; however, you will have to come to the lodge office. We recommend calling us a head of time to give us a heads up to make sure you get the fuel as quickly as possible so you can hit the trail as soon as possible.
Our water taxis are based on reservations; however, if you decide you would a water taxi somewhere around the island once you get here, ask us at the lodge office! If we have availability, we would be happy to take you there!
To learn more about our water taxi operating seasons, operating hours, destinations, rates and more please go to our Water Taxi Service page.
The fishing charters are a great way of seeing the island, all while catching dinner. Rock Harbor Lodge offers half-day fishing charters for up to four people maximum. Our captains are very experienced and passionate about fishing. Your fishing charter comes fully equipped with everything you will need to catch fish and stay safe, licensed and Coast Guard inspected.
To learn more about our fishing charters operations please go to our Fishing Charters Service page.
We do not accept advanced phone reservations for sightseeing tours. Guests may sign up for any tour going out during their stay once they arrive at Isle Royale. The sightseeing tours are not limited to only lodge guests! We welcome all to join our sightseeing tours! It is an excellent way of seeing Isle Royale!
To learn more about our sightseeing trip schedule, operating hours, destinations, rates and more please go to our Sightseeing Tours page.
Please call and ask to speak to our Chef Manager before you arrive at Isle Royale at 906.337.4993 or reaching out via our Contact Us page.
We are happy to accommodate allergies, but please remember that Isle Royale is located several miles from the hospital, as well as several hours' worth of transportation and communication if you were to get sick.
If you let us know ahead of time, we can better accommodate you to ensure you are healthy and well fed! If you or someone in your party has a food allergy and are concerned about eating at our restaurants due to allergies, and remoteness, a great option for you is to rent a housekeeping cottage that has a kitchenette unit, so you have the option to store/cook your own meals!
If you have an allergy and would like to pair your own food with something on our menu, great! Please feel free to do so! However, due to public health and safety regulations, we cannot bring your food into our kitchen, but you can bring it into the restaurant, at your table.
Because each transportation line is a separate company, they make their own decision whether they run, or do not run and for their own reason (weather, mechanical issues, etc.) We have no control over their decision. If they decide to delay the day of your arrival then we will transfer your deposit to the next night, and not charge you for the night that you missed. If you were to cancel that entire reservation completely, without rescheduling then you would forfeit 100% of that deposit. If you must stay an extra night at Isle Royale because the transportation lines are not running, then you will also have to pay for any additional lodging, or dining expenses.