karco

I am interested in hearing from anyone who has stayed in the lodge and/or cabins on Isle Royal. It seems quite pricey, and I wonder if people thought it was worth it. Also what is the best point from which to take the ferry? Thanks

Cali

I have not stayed at the lodge on Isle Royale, but have friends who have and have enjoyed it. We have only camped while there and we always go over from Grand Portage, MN - much closer than Michigan.

SuzieTrue

I have stayed in both the lodge and the cabins. It was worth it both times. I wanted to see Isle Royale but am not a backpacker like my husband. The lodge rooms are typical motel style with NO TV. Your meals are included and the white fish is to die for. You can get a sack lunch for going on excursions.

The cabins are very spacious but basic. Our kids loved the bunk beds. There are no meals included with the cabin but that was fine with us. The best part of staying in the cabins was having a young moose right outside our window one morning.

We always go out of Houghton, MI. This is a 6 hour trip each way. This is the ship that brings all the supplies to the island. We always bring our canoe, but the ship handles pleasure boats up to 20 feet.

Cali

I think which area you go out of depends on where you are coming from. We are usually in MN anyway so always go out of Grand Portage, MN. It is lots closer than Houghton but the boats are not as large as the one out of Houghton. They aren't small boats tho and they are fine. I think we make it over in about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Both N MN and N MI are kiond of out of the way from things. You can fly into Duluth, MN which is about 140 mi from Grand Portage. There is also an airport in Grand Marais, Mn if you happen to have your own plane.

LaurenSKahn

I just got back from a trip to Isle Royale that was arranged through elderhostel. The Lodge is very pricey for what you get.

I did notice a remark about great white fish. The food at The Lodge was, in my opinion, worse than abysmal. Fresh fish was available from the nearby fishery and we got inedible dried out frozen stuff.

The Lodge is an example of what happens when someone gets the concession and has no competition. It is also an example of why the NPS should run The Lodge themselves.

Having said that, I am very glad I made the trip. Isle Royale is sort of a once in a lifetime experience unless you absolutely love primitive camping or kayaking(Bring your own food because not much is available on the island and what is is priced exhorbitantly!)

I did do some nice hiking and did see a lot of beautiful scenery and one bull moose!