Isle Royale Explorer 2026
Paddle into one of America’s most remote and breathtaking national parks. We’ll strap our sea kayaks to the roof of a ferry, cross more than 50 miles of open water, and land on Isle Royale—the largest island in the largest freshwater lake in the world. This isn’t just another paddling trip. This is an adventure into untamed wilderness, where moose roam the shoreline, wolves keep to the shadows, and loons call across the glassy bays of Lake Superior.
While backpackers explore on foot, we’ll discover Isle Royale the way it’s meant to be experienced—by kayak. Over nine unforgettable days, you’ll paddle alongside ancient volcanic rock, land on secluded beaches, and explore hidden coves. Between paddles, we’ll hike to sweeping viewpoints, swim in Superior’s icy-clear water, try our hand at lake trout fishing, and photograph the island’s rugged beauty.
No two trips are the same—our routes are planned around weather, your skills, and your goals. We don’t just “bag miles.” We immerse ourselves in Superior’s nature and culture at a pace that lets you truly connect with this extraordinary place.
We’ve guided more expeditions to Isle Royale than anyone else, and our long-standing relationships with park staff mean you’ll get an insider’s perspective on the island’s history, wildlife, and conservation efforts.
To ensure your safety and maintain the flexibility of small camps, we limit this trip to only five participants.
Location: Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, Michigan
Duration: 9 days (2 travel, 7 paddling/exploring)
Group Size: Max 5 paddlers for safety and flexibility
Deposit: $500 to reserve your spot
Trip Highlights
- Paddle 50–70 miles of world-class Lake Superior kayaking routes
- Explore remote coves, cliffs, and historic sites of Isle Royale National Park
- Enjoy guided day hikes, wildlife watching, fishing, and photography
- Small-group adventure—maximum of 5 paddlers for safety and flexibility
- Gourmet backcountry meals and expert instruction included
Who Is This For? (Paddling Skills)
Designed for intermediate paddlers. You should be comfortable paddling 8–15 miles/day in 2–3 ft seas with winds up to ~15 knots and familiar with group rescues. If you have past formal training, then ACA Levels 2 – 4 are appropriate.
Not yet there? Join our Isle Royale Sampler trips or one of our kayak skills workshops to prepare.
Sample 9-Day Itinerary
(2 travel days included)
Day 1
Rendezvous in Copper Harbor at 4:00 PM (Minnetonka Resort) for a quick backcountry orientation, followed by a group dinner.
Day 2
7:00 AM ferry (Isle Royale Queen) across Lake Superior to Rock Harbor. Organize and paddle to first campsite.
Days 3 – 7
Paddling days (avg 4–5 hours/day) mixed with hikes, fishing, photography, and wildlife watching. The heart of the trip–you’ll find yourself paddling an average of 4 or 5 hours/day sandwiched with day hikes, fishing, shooting photos, looking for Moose and listening to the music of our largest freshwater sea. We may choose a layover at a particularly nice campsite to give us more time to explore and linger a bit. You should be prepared for temps between 40- 80…bring a wool hat and a swimsuit. We’ll be covering 50 to 70 miles total with a fairly relaxed pace. You can count on learning lots of new paddle skills and having a truly spectacular experience.
Day 8
Afternoon ferry back to Copper Harbor. Group dinner and overnight at the Minnetonka.
Day 9
Travel day: continue home or explore the fabulous Keweenaw Peninsula.
Dates for 2026
- July 10 – July 18, 2026
- July 31 – August 8, 2026
- August 14 – August 22, 2026
What’s Included:
- One night lodging before and one after in Copper Harbor (double occupancy – single occupancy rates available)
- Round-trip ferry for you & your kayak
- National Park permits & daily user fee
- Expert sea kayak guides
- All group gear (tents, kitchen gear, dry bags, safety and camp gear)
- Gourmet backcountry meals
What’s Not Included
- Travel to/from Copper Harbor
- Kayak rental (available—reserve early). If need a kayak, please add that as an add-on to your booking, to be sure we have one for you.
- Personal gear (see packing list).
- Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)
- Guide gratuities (10+% suggested)
Kayaking Equipment
We do not include kayaks on this trip because most paddlers at this level have their own. Your boat should be a touring kayak at least 16 feet long, with front and rear bulkheads. High performance expedition-equipped rentals are available from us with prior reservation: They include PFD, carbon hybrid paddle (Werner Shuna is our standard), sprayskirt and pump. We will transport your rental boat for you. We offer a variety of sizes and models from Current Designs, Wilderness Systems and NDK…with drop skegs and day hatches.
FAQs
Registration
NOTE: If a booking date shows on the calendar below, there is space available but always feel free to call or email with specific questions. If the trip is full and you’d like to be waitlisted, give us a call.
Reservations are held with a $500 deposit. The price below reflects the full amount, including service fees; However, your initial payment will be a $500 deposit (assuming you book 30+ days prior to the course).
The remaining amount due will be automatically charged to your credit card 30 days before the trip.
NOTE: You must choose the date of the trip you want before clicking on BOOK NOW. Be sure you are on the right month! You may need to choose the fare you want and then zero out the fare that the system initially chooses. Let us know if you have any difficulty.
What registration option should I choose?
- Joining by yourself? Choose Single Occupancy
- Joining as a couple or with a friend? Choose Double Occupancy
- Joining by yourself but willing to share a room? Choose Double Occupancy but realize we will adjust the price to single occupancy if we can’t find you a roommate.