Parking
There is no road access or car parking on Passage Island. Reach it on the seasonal MV Sandy excursion from Rock Harbor, or by private boat; Passage Island Dock is day use only, not an overnight stop.
Overview
About Passage Island Trail
Why go
- A short walk to a genuine 1882 island lighthouse.
- A distinctive boat-accessed Lake Superior setting.
Heads up
- Boat schedules and lake weather control access.
- The lighthouse buildings are closed to visitors.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Isle Royale map
Full mapElevation594–679 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Isle Royale alerts
- ClosureSeasonal park closure begins November 1Isle Royale closes to public use November 1–April 15 because extreme winter weather threatens visitor safety; the closure extends 4.5 miles into Lake Superior from the island.Official details
- ClosureCamping closures at east-end campgrounds and Zone 9Camping restrictions are in effect at four east-end campgrounds and Off-trail Camping Zones 9–13 and 30–38 because of increased human-wildlife interactions and food-storage concerns.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Isle Royale Tour Guide
Your drive to Passage Island Trail, narrated.
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.
- 17 audio storiesacross Isle Royale’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Moose, Wolf, Bald Eagle, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 39 trails, 83 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“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!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Passage Island Trail
A short island hikePassage Island Trail is about 1.
Passage Island Trail is about 1.6 miles round trip from the day-use dock across Passage Island to the lighthouse and back. If you’re already making the boat trip from Rock Harbor, this is a good reason to spend time ashore: a short walk leads to a real 1882 light station on a rocky Lake Superior shore. It’s a small outing, not a mileage-heavy hike.
From dock to lightA broad path crosses the island from the harbor to Passage Island Light.
A broad path crosses the island from the harbor to Passage Island Light. Follow the same corridor out and back; it’s about 0.8 mile each way. The ground is rugged and rocky, so expect uneven footing rather than a smooth stroll. Allow about an hour on foot, with time to look around. Bring sturdy shoes and water.
A low-moose islandPassage Island is an area of low moose presence, and thick vegetation lines the route.
Passage Island is an area of low moose presence, and thick vegetation lines the route. Don’t plan this as a moose-viewing stop; the main draw is the unusual island setting and the light at the end.
The light stationPassage Island Light was built in 1882.
Passage Island Light was built in 1882. Its stone tower stands above the rocky shore and marks the channel between the island and Isle Royale. The lighthouse buildings aren’t open to visitors, so plan on seeing them from outside. The rocky shore makes a stronger photo than a tight tower-only shot.
Getting thereThe usual access is the seasonal MV Sandy excursion from Rock Harbor.
The usual access is the seasonal MV Sandy excursion from Rock Harbor. Private boats may also use Passage Island Dock, which is for day use only. Lake Superior wind and waves can cancel or redirect a boat trip, so confirm the excursion before planning around it. Pets aren’t allowed in Isle Royale National Park.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Isle Royale
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.
