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.
New Food Storage Guidelines to Reduce Human - Wildlife Interactions
In response to wolves accessing human food and garbage in and around Rock Harbor and campgrounds located on the east end of the island, new food storage guidelines to ensure the safety of visitors and wildlife are in effect.
Malone Bay Campground Shelters Closed Nights of July 29 - August 1, 2025
On these dates, the Malone Bay shelters are reserved for Agaaming Aki tribal summer youth camp. Isle Royale is within the traditional homelands of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The 2 group sites at Malone Bay will remain open.
Duncan Bay Narrows Campground Closed Nights of August 1 - August 5, 2025
On these dates, Duncan Bay Narrows campground will be closed for shelter and privy maintenance.
USCG Navigational Buoys Not in Water Until Mid-June
Boaters: Due to USCG season start-up delays, navigational buoys are not in Lake Superior waters around Isle Royale. Use caution around navigational channels. Buoys are estimated to be put in place by mid-June.
2025 RANGER III Parking Area Construction Notice: Carpool When Possible
Houghton city will be doing construction work that affects the upper, non-gated lot for most of the 2025 summer season. Parking may become limited in the NPS available lots. To help with available parking, when possible, please carpool.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| isro_parkinfo@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (906) 482-0984 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!