Indian Portage Trail

Indian Portage Trail is a point-to-point walk from Chippewa Harbor to McCargoe Cove through Isle Royale’s inland lakes. The best-supported length is 10.6 miles one way; other route measurements reach about 11.2, so plan for roughly 11 miles. This is a full-day hike. As a planning estimate, allow about eight hours for the hike itself, then add time for long stops and boat logistics. It suits a fit hiker with boat transport lined up at both ends, or a backpacker linking campgrounds. It does not make a short out-and-back.

There’s no road access to either end. Start at Chippewa Harbor Campground and finish at McCargoe Cove; reserve passenger boats or water taxis in advance. Work out how you’ll leave the far end before you start. If you camp overnight, a permit is required, and groups of seven or more need advance reservations. Pets aren’t allowed anywhere on Isle Royale.

The trail heads inland from camp, passing the spur to Lake Mason. That optional side trip is about 0.3 mile each way to a rock bluff above the lake. The main route follows the Lake Richie drainage, then joins the Lake Richie Trail and tracks about a mile of shoreline. Look for openings at the water and a view across toward Hastings Island; this is one of the best places to stop and take in the lake.

After Lake Richie, the route climbs toward Greenstone Ridge and rolls across short ridges and wet low points near Lakes LeSage and Livermore. Expect uneven rock and roots, with many small climbs rather than one huge ascent. The repeated ups and downs make this long crossing feel bigger than its elevation range suggests.

From the ridge, the trail descends toward West Chickenbone, crosses a wet area near the lake’s head, and follows the shoreline and Chickenbone Creek to McCargoe Cove. The lake-and-creek corridor occupies an old geological fault depression, a nice bit of context for the low route after all those ridges.

The trail links the two harbors by way of four inland lakes. It has long been believed that Indigenous travelers carried canoes across this corridor, though that origin is not documented as certain. There’s no food service along the crossing, so carry what you need. Treat water from interior lakes, and check with a ranger about current lake-water guidance before relying on a particular source.