Isle Royale National Park guide · 1 min read
Sea Kayaking the 400-Island Archipelago
Sea kayaking Lake Superior around Isle Royale is best suited to experienced paddlers. The park is an archipelago of more than 400 islands, with Isle Royale itself the largest of them, and the island is surrounded by the open waters of the lake.
Paddlers can head out onto Lake Superior itself or use the island's interior waters.
Getting there is part of the trip. The island has no roads, so visitors arrive by boat or seaplane. The daytrip ferry Isle Royale Queen IV runs from Copper Harbor, Michigan, to Rock Harbor in about three hours and 45 minutes, and ferries can carry kayaks, canoes, and other boats, which means arranging transport in advance. Private watercraft and seaplanes are the other ways in. Weather affects the crossing as well as paddling once you arrive, so build flexibility into your plans.
The northeast end of the island is made up of numerous harbors, bays, and coves that create fjord-like scenery. Rocky cliffs and palisades line parts of the shore, and paddlers can weave between them. A commonly used route runs from McCargoe Cove on the north shore to Chippewa Harbor on the south shore. On stormy days, strong wind and waves can build on Lake Superior, so read the park's safety guidance before you launch.
Guided trips suit paddlers who want a knowledgeable leader. A sea kayaking guide can lead a group through the park's waters. Paddlers who want to go inland can also paddle and portage the interior lakes, carrying their boats overland between waters.
