Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park is a protected area in Lake Superior that includes one main island plus 400 smaller islands, covering roughly 2300 square kilometers (894 square miles) of land and water. The terrain consists of rocky shorelines, dense forests, and numerous inland lakes that thread through the island interior.

Indigenous communities mined copper here for thousands of years, long before European explorers reached the region. The national park was formally established in 1940 to protect the archipelago and its ecosystems permanently.

The name Minong, used by indigenous peoples of the region, roughly translates to "good place" and points to the centuries-long connection between Native inhabitants and the copper deposits found here. Today, visitors can still spot old mining pits scattered across the terrain that show evidence of this early use.

Access is by boat or seaplane only, since no road links exist to the mainland and wheeled vehicles are banned on the islands. Hikers should prepare for uneven trails and changing weather conditions, as the environment is remote and rugged.

Scientists have been monitoring the interaction between wolves and moose here for decades, since both species live on this isolated archipelago without outside influence. This long-term study provides rare insights into predator and prey dynamics in a confined habitat.

Location: Michigan

Inception: April 3, 1940

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/isro

GPS coordinates: 47.99587,-88.90929

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:30