Isle Royale National Park: McCargoe Cove to Rock Harbor
Camp on sandy beaches, explore untouched forests, and listen to gray wolves howl on this 16.2-mile hike on an isolated island in Lake Superior.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 25.0
Waypoints
IRT001
Location: 48.084272, -88.722453
Optional afternoon hike: Take Minong Ridge Trail to its namesake mine, one of the island’s old mining camps; return to WPT 1, then head S on main route
IRT002
Location: 48.087397, -88.708334
Ferry drop-off @ McCargoe Cove Campground; many offshoot creeks and water sources
IRT003
Location: 48.082481, -88.713432
L @ Y; head SE to East Chickenbone Lake Campground through dense riparian area
IRT004
Location: 48.073082, -88.693016
L @ Y; hike along island’s backbone through jack pine and rare Northern red oak on Greenstone Ridge Trail
IRT005
Location: 48.098122, -88.629448
R @ Y onto Daisy Farm Trail; views stretch to Canada from ridgeline
IRT006
Location: 48.098068, -88.619232
Cross inland bog on boardwalk, a wildlife haven for moose, fox, osprey, and most notably the Isle Royale gray wolf
IRT007
Location: 48.093483, -88.599014
L onto Rock Harbor Trail; head E
IRT008
Location: 48.092152, -88.596916
Camp @ Daisy Farm Campground; views to Rock Harbor
IRT009
Location: 48.108749, -88.554153
Siskiwit Mine Area; tiny barrier islands dot inlets ahead
IRT010
Location: 48.123367, -88.530746
R @ Y to Three Mile Campgrd.; Northern white cedars hug shoreline
IRT011
Location: 48.131905, -88.514335
Take L to explore Suzy’s Cave
IRT012
Location: 48.145317, -88.488503
Drop pack @ Rock Harbor Campground; head to lodge for well-earned meal before scheduled ferry pickup