Parking
There is no drive-up trailhead at Windigo. Reach the island by passenger ferry, seaplane or private boat, then walk to the Feldtmann Lake Trail junction south of Windigo.
Overview
About Washington Creek Trail
Why go
- Harbor and Beaver Island views on the way to the creek bridge.
- A short, mostly gentle walk to a distinctive creek crossing.
Heads up
- The Windigo outing retraces the same 1.4 miles on the return.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Isle Royale map
Full mapElevation594–728 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 Washington Creek 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.
Recorded for this area
Minong Ridge Overlook from Windigo0:00 / 0:22
“Coming up is the Windigo trail access for Minong Ridge Overlook. For a rugged half-day hike, it's six miles out and back, taking roughly four hours over rocks, roots and creek crossings.”
Plays on the road 1.1 mi from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Isle Royale Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The Squirrel's Winter Pantry
- A Lodge with an Underwater Door
- The Forest After the 1936 Fire
- A Moose's Underwater Lunch
- 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 Washington Creek Trail
A short out-and-back from WindigoWashington Creek Trail is a 2.
Washington Creek Trail is a 2.8-mile out-and-back from the Feldtmann Lake Trail junction south of Windigo, following Washington Harbor before turning inland along the creek. The mapped trail line covers 1.4 miles one way; for a Windigo day walk, turn around at the Minong Ridge and West Huginnin Cove junction and retrace the route. Allow about 1½ hours. The walk pairs an open harbor edge with a wooded creek crossing.
Shore, docks and campsitesThe start runs beside Washington Harbor, with Beaver Island across the water.
The start runs beside Washington Harbor, with Beaver Island across the water. The route passes the seaplane and boat docks, then narrows beside Washington Creek’s campsites. Beyond the group campsites it leaves the shore and follows the creek inland. An uphill side trip to the Windigo Visitor Center is separate from the trail.
Creek bridge and turnaroundAfter a wooded stretch, the trail crosses a narrow two-plank bridge over Washington Creek; a…
After a wooded stretch, the trail crosses a narrow two-plank bridge over Washington Creek; a gauging station sits at the crossing. A gradual final climb of about a quarter mile reaches the three-way junction with Minong Ridge and West Huginnin Cove trails. That junction is the end of this short route. For the Windigo outing, return the way you came; continuing takes you onto longer, more demanding trails.
Harbor and creek signsLook for waterfowl along Washington Harbor.
Look for waterfowl along Washington Harbor. Along the creek, the route is noted for beaver-cut trees and moose tracks; these signs are more dependable than expecting to see wildlife. The bridge and water are the trail’s clearest focal point.
Getting there and a shorter optionWindigo is reached by passenger ferry, seaplane or private boat; there is no drive-up trailhead.
Windigo is reached by passenger ferry, seaplane or private boat; there is no drive-up trailhead. Start at the Feldtmann Lake Trail junction south of Windigo. If you want a shorter loop, the separate Windigo Nature Trail is 1.2 miles and stays distinct from this harbor-and-creek route.
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.
