Isle Royale – Swapping the Backpack for a Kayak!

09 Apr Isle Royale – Swapping the Backpack for a Kayak!

Written By: Senior Sea Kayak Guide JJ Ferrington

The National Park Service is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year!  There is no better way to revel in the milestone than to simply visit a National Park.  Isle Royale is the largest island in the largest fresh water lake in the world, and because of its remote location is one of the least visited parks in the nation.  It is a place where the stress of ordinary life is relieved and true solitude can be attained.  It sets a different pace than the more popular parks across the country.  Whether gazing out to the horizon where the water meets the sky, or hiking Mt. Franklin to take in the three hundred sixty-degree view without a city skyline in sight, Isle Royale displays incredible aesthetics.  With its abundant wildlife, one can observe and appreciate the sustenance that provides life and energy to all living creatures that inhabit the isle.

Our guided kayak trips provide the opportunity to see the island from a unique perspective.  Paddling the shoreline allows for a heads up look when navigating instead of staring down at a hiking trail.  Trade in the hiking boots and a backpack for a paddle and a kayak.  Explore the hidden bays and island campsites and the secret spots that only our guides know about.  Enjoy a diverse and high quality menu expertly prepared by our guides over two camp stoves.  Watch a family of otters play near a beach and paddle down long corridors following an eagle from island to island.  Isle Royale is the ultimate destination to release all the worries of the outside world and be at one with nature.

Learn more about our trips and 2016 schedule, including our Early Bird Special (i.e. book your trip by April 15th, and receive a 10% discount).

View our Isle Royale Photo Gallery!

Now, a little story from the island…

Blue skies and sunshine.  Three of us geared up, packed our kayaks and paddled out of Rock Harbor on the calm, clear blue waters of Lake Superior.  Our destination was Caribou Island, a small barrier island six miles down the coastline from where we disembarked the Queen IV.  It was the first hour of our four-day trip and we were already on the water.  The barrier islands lining the harbor barricaded the breeze leaving our route to the camp area calm.  We couldn’t resist the urge to break through the islands and paddle in the rolling waves Lady Superior was providing that day.  We ducked back and proceeded down a long glassy stretch between two long islands marveling at the clarity of the water beneath. I heard a rustle and looked into the shoreline trees on the island to my left and saw a large dark figure.  A mama moose was leading her two calves through the branches of balsam firs and white spruce trees and had stopped to watch us.  We hadn’t even been paddling two hours and we already saw Isle Royale’s mascot!