By Private Boat
Private motorboats also come to the island, mostly from Grand Portage, Minnesota, next from Michigans' Upper Peninsula, most infrequently from nearby Thunder Bay, Ontario. All boats of whatever nationality coming from Canada are required to check in with U.S. Customs at Windigo or Snug Harbor. Sanitation and fuel services are also available at these ports. To protect the island wildlife from diseases and disruption, pets are not permitted on boats within the park boundaries.
By Commercial Flight
The closest commercial airport to Isle Royale National Park is Thunder Bay International Airport IATA: YQT (http://www.tbairport.on.ca/) in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is served by Canadian airlines. Highway 61 links Thunder Bay with Grand Portage, Minnesota, from which ferry service to the park is available.
The second closest airport is Houghton County Memorial Airport IATA: CMX (http://www.houghtoncounty.org/) in Houghton, Michigan, which also has ferry services to the park. United Airlines is the only commercial carrier at the airport. There is also floatplane service see below from the airport to Isle Royale.
Duluth International Airport IATA: DLH (http://www.duluthairport.com/) in Duluth, Minnesota, about 3.5 hours from Grand Portage via Highway 61, is served by Delta Airlines, United, and Allegiant Air (http://allegiantair.com).
By ship
Almost all visitors get to and from Isle Royale via scheduled ferry services:
Ranger III - National Park Service, Houghton, Michigan +1 906-482-0984. (http://www.nps.gov/isro/T...) 165 ft vessel. Travel time: 5 hours. Operates-first Tuesday in June thru mid-September, departing Tu/F and returning W/Sa. Adults $74 one-way, children under 12 $44 one-way, canoes/kayaks $55 one-way, motorboats $80 and up one-way.
Isle Royale Queen IV - Isle Royale Ferry Service, Copper Harbor, Michigan +1 906-289-4437. (http://www.isleroyale.com/) 100 ft vessel. Travel time: 3.0-3.5 hours. Operates mid-May thru September; daily mid-July thru mid-August, but progressively less frequent earlier and later in the season. Adults $65 one-way $60 off-peak, children under 11 half price, canoes/kayaks $25 one-way. Single-day round-trip fares were recently introduced and vary in price, depending on availability.
Sea Hunter - Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Line, Grand Portage, Minnesota +1 651-653-5872, toll-free: +1 888-746-2305 Nov. through Apr, 218-475-0024 May through Oct. (http://www.isleroyaleboat...) 65 ft vessel. Travel time: 1.5 hours. Operates Mid June thru Labor Day. Adults $67 one-way, children $46 one-way, canoes/kayaks $35 one-way, Day trips: Adults $54 children $31.
Voyageur II - also GPIR. (http://www.isleroyaleboats.com) 65 ft vessel. 1-888-746-2305 & 651-653-5872 Oct-May 218-475-0024 May-Oct. Travel time: 2.0-2.5 hours. Operates May thru early-October,is the only vessel providing pick-up&drop-off service around the entire island, departing M/W/Sa and returning Tu/Th/Su, but with slightly less frequent service before Memorial Day and after mid-September. $67 one-way $80 for destinations beyond Windigo, canoes/kayaks $35 one-way. US Mail and parcel service to Isle Royale.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended for all ships, especially in late July and early August. Whether you're traveling across the depths of Superior from Michigan, or on the ferries from nearer Minnesota, take precautions for motion sickness if you're not a seasoned sailor. In the uncommon event of dangerous weather, crossings may be delayed, but they're almost never canceled. The Queen and Sea Hunter and Voyageur II both offer discounted fares for day-trips to the park, which give you about 3-4 hours on the island. Note that Isle Royale is at the western extreme of the Eastern time zone, but the Minnesota-based ferries operate on Central time.
The ferries from Michigan dock at Snug Harbor, an inlet of Rock Harbor near the east end of the island; this is the largest "civilized" area on the island. Because Rock Harbor Lodge, Rock Harbor campground, and Rock Harbor Visitor Center are located here, this site is commonly referred to as "Rock Harbor", even though that technically refers to the whole miles-long stretch of water. The ferries from Minnesota dock at "Windigo", a smaller port at the west end of the island and "Rock Harbor". Each port has a small camp store, drinking water, modern restrooms, pay showers, and coin laundry; these are the only such facilities in the park.
A new service was offered in the 2008 season. It was five scheduled round trips to Windigo by the Ranger III, only four trips were made with the fifth being cancelled due to lack of passengers. This service was a failure and will not be offered again. This was primarily to allow day trip visits from Houghton and hikers to hike the length of the island one-way. Schedules will provide time to land at Windigo and cross the island with a return to Houghton. This hiking feat can be achieved by booking an inter-island trip to Windigo on the Voyageur II in addition to the Queen IV fare.
By Floatplane
Floatplane service is available from Houghton. It's considerably more expensive than the ferries, but the trip takes a fraction of the time, and offers nice aerial views. The plane can dock at either port, and since it can make multiple crossings in a day, this can give you some flexibility with the time of day you arrive and leave. Stove fuel can't be transported by air, so if you're camping you'll have to buy that on the island.
Royale Air Service
Houghton County Memorial Airport, 23810 Airpark Blvd, Laurium, MI 49913, +1 218-721-0405, (http://www.royaleairservi...) Travel time: 35 minutes. Operates M-Sa, mid-May thru mid-September. $285/person round-trip, $180/person one-way, reservations required.