Choose the route
Choose your arrival: Rock Harbor suits eastern Isle Royale; Windigo suits western itineraries.
Lake Superior · Route planner
Which ferry gets you to the right side of Isle Royale?
Compare four ferries, three mainland gateways and two major island entry points. For wilderness trips, your return sailing matters as much as your outbound boat.
Houghton, Copper Harbor or Grand Portage → Isle Royale2026 published-source reference
Build your ferry plan
Enter your group and travel date. View only fare categories backed by published operator rates. Confirm booking and current cancellations with the operator.
Pricing shown is illustrative, dated operator information—not live availability or a purchase.
Before you leave for the dock
Check the details
Choose a gateway based on driving distance, trip length, and whether a round trip can fit your dates.
Verify the return
Reserve transport and any campsites before driving to the remote Upper Peninsula or Minnesota departure port.
Route-specific decisions
Ranger III (Houghton) crosses to Rock Harbor in about six hours; some special dates go to Windigo.
Queen IV departs Copper Harbor for Rock Harbor in about 3.5 hours. Sea Hunter III is oriented to Windigo; Voyageur II serves multiple island landing points.
There are no car ferries. NPS requires matching inbound/outbound transportation and appropriate national park permits.
What is live and what is not?
These tools calculate against operator-published 2026 reference data and your inputs. The date selection does not retrieve ticket inventory or prove a ferry will sail. All current departures, booking availability and cancellations must be checked through the official operator links above. The planner deliberately withholds a total when rates are incomplete.