Michigan / Keweenaw County / Isle Royale National Park

Malone Bay Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Isle Royale National Park reopens April 16, 2026. The campground operates seasonally from mid-April through October, with a 3-night stay limit from June 1 through Labor Day.

About

Malone Bay Campground is a remote wilderness camping area located on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. Accessible only by foot via the Ishpeming Trail or by water (canoe, kayak, or private boat), this primitive campground embodies the backcountry experience Isle Royale is known for. The campground features 5 shelters available on a first-come, first-served basis, plus 2 group tent sites that must be reserved in advance for parties of 7 or more people. Boaters can moor overnight at the dock, which typically has 3-6 feet of depth under normal conditions. A ranger station and information station are located just east of the campground, though the ranger station is not always staffed. The campground provides basic amenities including composting toilets (seasonal), food storage lockers to prevent wildlife interactions, and campfire rings at each shelter and group site. Non-potable water is available. The terrain throughout the campground is uneven and rough, and facilities are not ADA accessible. A 3-night stay limit is in effect from June 1 through Labor Day annually. All visitors must obtain a free overnight permit for small parties (6 or less), while groups of 7 or more pay $25 per permit and must request group permits through the park's online system. Dogs and other pets are not allowed. Quiet hours run from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. EDT or 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. CDT.

Directions

Malone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off the Ishpeming Trail. Access is by foot, canoe, kayak, or private boat only. The park headquarters for transportation information is located at 800 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931.

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