Campground · Isle Royale National Park
Four forest sites for an inland night, not a lakeside stay.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Isle Royale Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Isle Royale National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
East Chickenbone Campground is a small backcountry camp in forest at the east end of Chickenbone Lake, off the East Chickenbone Trail. It has three individual tent sites and one group site. Choose it for an overnight on the route, not for a campsite beside the water: the campground sits inland, and campers report a walk to the lake. West Chickenbone is the more watercraft-accessible option if being near the water is your priority.
Water at the campground is non-potable, so treat it before drinking. Seasonal composting toilets and food-storage lockers are provided; there are no showers or trash collection, so pack out your waste. Only self-contained stoves are allowed. Isle Royale camping is seasonal, so check the park's operating dates before planning a stay.
Wildlife
308 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
93 sightingsWolfMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
77 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
150 sightingsLoonMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
24 sightingsTrumpeter SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
71 sightingsBeaverMost seen around 8 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Isle Royale. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateEast Chickenbone Trail1.6 mi · 1.3 hr · 1.1 mi awayA forested connector with glimpses of Chickenbone Lake.
ModerateMinong Mine Trail2.2 mi · 2 hr · 1.2 mi awayA rugged detour into Isle Royale’s ancient copper workings
ModerateChickenbone Lake Loop6.4 mi · 3 hr · 1.2 mi awayA forested lake loop with a short, repeated McCargoe Cove approach.
ModerateLake Richie Trail1.9 mi · 1.3 hr · 1.5 mi awayA narrow backcountry connector through wetlands and rocky outcrops.
EasyLake Mason Access Trail0.6 mi · 24 min · 3.5 mi awayA short side trip to the bluff above Lake Mason.
ModerateIndian Portage Trail10.6 mi · 8 hr · 3.7 mi awayA rugged 11-mile crossing through Isle Royale’s inland lakes.
ModerateDaisy Farm Triangle5.1 mi · 3.5 hr · 4.6 mi awayBoardwalks, ridge climbs, and a historic tower above the island.
ModerateDaisy Farm Trail1.7 mi · 1.3 hr · 4.6 mi awayBoardwalks cross beaver wetlands on the climb to the ridge.
Campground · 1.2 mi awayMcCargoe Cove CampgroundA remote cove camp with boat access and six shelters.
Campground · 1.6 mi awayLake Richie CampgroundA lakeside overnight on the interior paddling route
Campground · 1.6 mi awayWest Chickenbone CampgroundA backcountry lake camp reached on foot or by portage.
Sight · 1.6 mi awayMinong MineCopper mining here spans 4,500 years on a remote trail spur.
Campground · 2.1 mi awayLake Richie Canoe CampgroundThree tent sites on a remote canoe-only lake route.
Campground · 2.4 mi awayMoskey Basin CampgroundA remote shoreline camp with six shelters and Lake Superior sunrise views.
Campground · 2.6 mi awayBirch Island CampgroundA tiny boat-in camp near McCargoe Cove's mouth.
Campground · 3 mi awayIntermediate Lake CampgroundA tent-only overnight for paddlers crossing the island's inland lakes.Parkwolf’s Isle Royale ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
