Kayaking Isle Royale National Park
August 24 – 29, 2025
An Isle Royale kayaking trip offers a wilderness experience like no other! Located just 18 miles off the coast of Ontario, Canada, Isle Royale National Park is accessible only by boat or float plane. The island has over 150 miles of shoreline and numerous barrier islands that are explored best in a sea kayak. Join the Natural Resources Foundation on this 5-day kayaking and camping adventure to explore the rugged coastlines, fjord-like bays, and pristine forests of this remote archipelago on Lake Superior. This is a unique opportunity to experience the solitude, breathtaking scenery, and abundant wildlife of this little-known gem in the Midwest.
This trip is offered in partnership with Keweenaw Adventure Company.
Sunset by Keweenaw Adventure Company.
Trip highlights
- Experience the solitude and exceptional beauty of this remote Lake Superior island with a small group. The maximum number of participants is 6.
- Paddle along the pebbly shorelines in search of secluded bays and coves.
- Hike through beautiful boreal forests and enjoy spectacular views.
- Look for moose, river otters and beaver, and listen for gray wolves howling.
- Enjoy delicious, guide-prepared camp meals and stunning sunsets each evening.
Rocky shoreline by Keweenaw Adventure Company.
Activity Level 3: Moderate to Challenging
Participants should be capable of kayaking up to 7 miles (up to 6 hours) in calm to moderately rough conditions including choppy waters and variable winds, and hiking up to 5 miles over uneven terrain. Participants should be comfortable camping in the back country without access to bathrooms or running water. The ability to swim is a requirement. Single kayaks provided; tandem kayaks available upon request.
Moose by Michael Levine-Clark.
Accommodations
Hotel in Copper Harbor, 2 nights
Backcountry camping, 3 nights
All participants are required to meet in Copper Harbor, MI the afternoon of Aug 24th for their Orientation & Water Safety Course. Dinner and hotel accommodation will be provided that night in Copper Harbor. The morning of the 25th we will depart on the Isle Royale Queen Ferry to Isle Royale. We will then spend four days and three nights exploring the island, returning the evening of Aug 28th. Dinner and hotel accommodations will be provided in Copper Harbor that night and you will be free to go upon your check-out the morning of the 29th.
Pricing
The base cost is $3,799 per person. The price includes professional instruction and guiding; meals; two nights of hotel accommodations; tents and sleeping pads; group cooking gear; tandem or single kayaks and related paddling gear; park entrance fees; round trip ferry ticket. All operations are conducted under the commercial use authorization of Keweenaw Adventure Company.
A deposit of $1,900 per person is required by participants to register and reserve a space on the program.
To register, call Keweenaw Adventure Company at 906-289-4303 and tell them you would like to join the NRF Isle Royale kayak trip.
Cancellation
75 or more days prior to departure: deposit is refundable, minus a 15% cancellation fee.
0-74 days prior to departure: program fees are forfeited. You are also able to transfer your trip registration to another individual if you are unable to go.
Registration deadline is May 31, 2025, although space on this trip is extremely limited and may sell out sooner
Scenic overlook by Keweenaw Adventure Company.
Kim Kreitinger
Field Trip Coordinator
(608) 409-3110
Kim.Kreitinger@WisConservation.org
Kim Kreitinger (she/her) supports the Foundation's Field Trip program, plans our domestic and international travel, and helps connect members with the Foundation.
Banner photo courtesy of Keweenaw Adventure Company.