Michigan / Keweenaw County / Isle Royale National Park

Caribou Island Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Isle Royale National Park closes November 1 and reopens April 16, 2026. The island is completely inaccessible during winter months due to harsh weather and ice conditions on Lake Superior.

About

Caribou Island Campground is a primitive backcountry camping destination located on the western tip of West Caribou Island in Rock Harbor Channel, within Isle Royale National Park. This remote wilderness campground features 2 shelters and 3 total campsites, all available on a first-come, first-served basis with a required free overnight permit. Access is exclusively by water via canoe, kayak, or private boat, with overnight docking available at depths of approximately 10 feet under normal conditions. The campground provides basic amenities including seasonal composting toilets, non-potable water, food storage lockers, and a community fire ring. The terrain is uneven and rough throughout the campground, and facilities are not accessible for those with mobility limitations. A 3-night stay limit is enforced from June 1 through Labor Day to ensure equitable access during peak season. Isle Royale is a remote archipelago in Lake Superior where visitors must be completely self-sufficient and prepared for unpredictable weather conditions at all times. Quiet hours are observed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. EDT. Pets are not allowed in the park, and new food storage guidelines are in effect to reduce human-wildlife interactions, particularly with wolves on the eastern end of the island.

Directions

Located on West Caribou Island in Rock Harbor Channel on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park. Accessible only by canoe, kayak, or private boat.

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