Pros & cons
PROS
- Spectacular Lake Superior views from a quiet cove
- Shelter plus a separate tent site for privacy
- Overnight dock access for paddlers and boaters
CONS
- No potable water; you must treat lake water
- No campfires allowed
- Very limited capacity (1 shelter, 1 tent site)
Overview
If you crave solitude with a big‑water backdrop, Merritt Lane delivers. Tucked into a rocky cove on the island’s northeast end, it feels wild even when occupied. Expect wind in your hair, slabs of ancient rock underfoot, and sweeping views across Lake Superior.
Setting & Access
This is a water‑access backcountry spot—arrive by canoe, kayak, or private boat. There’s a public overnight dock (typical depth around 8 feet), so boaters can tie up and sleep ashore. The shoreline is rugged and forested, with sightlines toward nearby islands and open lake.
Campsites & Amenities
It’s intentionally minimal: one shelter and one tent site, spaced for privacy. An outhouse is available. There’s no potable water (treat the lake), no fires, no picnic tables, no showers, and no hookups. Pets aren’t allowed.
What Makes It Special
The views are the headline—east toward open shipping lanes and Passage Island, south across the small islands dotting Merritt Lane, and west down the cove. With only two parties max, the quiet is real, and the shelter is a clutch backup when weather turns.
Wildlife
Isle Royale’s usual cast can wander through or cruise the shoreline—think moose, foxes, beavers, otters, and plenty of birds. Dawn and dusk are the calmest, most watchable windows.
Best Time to Visit
Aim for stable weather and lighter winds—conditions on Superior change fast. The small capacity means arriving earlier in the day improves your odds. Summer brings the most reliable access; there’s a 3‑night stay limit between June and Labor Day.
Essentials
Bring a reliable water filter or purification method, a stove (no fires), and layers for wind and cool nights. Navigation is old‑school here—carry a map and plan your water approach with care.
Where it is
48.1846, -88.4298Tips for Merritt Lane Campground
- 01Treat or filter all water; there’s no potable source.
- 02Bring a stove—campfires aren’t allowed here.
- 03Check wind and forecast before committing to the water approach.
- 04Capacity is tiny (1 shelter, 1 tent); arrive early to snag a spot.
- 05Boaters: the dock allows overnight tie‑ups; typical depth is about 8 feet.
Amenities
Near Merritt Lane Campground
All places →All trails →
0.2 mi awayThe PalisadesSheer Lake Superior cliffs on the wild, roadless north shore
0.5 mi awayBlake PointWindswept tip with big Lake Superior views and true solitudeScenic Viewpoint
1.9 mi awayScoville PointWind-swept Lake Superior views at the end of the Stoll loopScenic Viewpoint
2.5 mi awayDuncan Narrows CampgroundTiny, boat-in backcountry camp with shelters at scenic Duncan Bay narrowsCampground · Restroom
2.6 mi awayLookout Louise TrailShort, boat-in climb to one of the island’s grandest panoramas.Moderate · 1.9 mi · 1.5 hr
2.6 mi awayHidden Lake TrailShort, view-packed climb from Hidden Lake dock to Lookout LouiseModerate · 2 mi · 2.5 hr
3.6 mi awayRaspberry Island BoardwalkCompact forest, bog, and shoreline loop on narrow boardwalksEasy · 1 mi · 1.5 hr
3.6 mi awayRaspberry Island TrailShort loop through forest, bog, and Superior’s rocky shore near Rock HarborEasy · 1 mi · 1 hr
