NostalgicOutdoors™- Isle Royal National Park- Rock Harbor Area Guide

1. Isle Royale
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Isle Royale National Park
Rock Harbor Area Guide
Welcome to Wilderness Enter the quiet of the boreal forest and wander beneath spruce and fir trees draped with
tangles of Old Man’s Beard. Perch on a rock and experience Lake Superior’s moods
which shape and change this area’s rugged shoreline. Listen for the cry of the loon, luring
you deeper into this isolated Island wilderness. Explore…
The northeastern end of Isle Royale National Park offers a variety of activities designed to
enhance your park experience. Drop by the Rock Harbor Visitor Center to: view dis-
plays, browse publications, receive your backcountry permit, check the interpretive pro-
gram schedule, or have your questions answered. To aid in your explorations, the Rock
Harbor Lodge offers boat, canoe, and kayak rentals, as well as sightseeing tours.
Suzy’s
Cave
Edisen
Fishery
Three Mile
Rock Harbor Lighthouse
Passage Island
Lighthouse
Mott Island
Park Headquarters
Caribou Island
Merritt
Lane
Saginaw Point
Chippewa Harbor
Tookers Island
The
Palisades
Raspberry
Island
Blake Point
Locke Point
Scoville
Point
2.0
2.4
4.2
1.5
1.7
1.9
3.7
1.4
3.4
1.2
1.8
1.2
Greenstone
Ridge
Trail
Seaplane Dock
To Lookout
Louise
Rock Harbor LodgeTobin
H
arbor
1.0
0.8
0.70.5
0.5
To
Suzy’s
Cave
Stoll M
em
orial Trail
Scoville
Point
Hidden Lake
Rock Harbor Visitor Center
Legend
Hiking Trails
Interpretive Trail
Paved Walks
Campgrounds
Visitor Center
Tower
Scenic Overlook
Isle
Royale
Daisy
Farm
Mt.
Franklin
Mt. Ojibway
Tower
LookoutLouise
Duncan
Narrows
Five
Finger
Bay
Lane Cove
Lake
O
jibway
Moskey
Basin
D
uncan
Bay
Daisy Farm Trail
MtOjibwayTrail
North
Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Tobin Harbor
Snug Harbor
Lake Superior
Rock
Harbor
Ampitheater
Smithwick
Mine
Stoll M
em
orial Trail
to
Scoville
Point
StollM
em
orialTrail
to
ScovillePoint
Tobin
Harbor Trail
Kneutson Trail
Rock Harbor
Campground
Rock Harbor
Trail
N
0 50 100
Scale in Feet
Buildings
Docks
Walking Trails
Paved Paths
Fuel Dock
Boat
Rentals
America
Dock
Seaplane
Dock
213/214
205/206
207/208
215/216
217/218
219/220
209/210
211/212
203/204
201/202
Chippewa 1-15
Saginaw 21-35
Guest
House
Restaurant
Snack Bar
Gift Shop
Nokomis 41-55
Ojibway 61-75
Auditorium
Spruces
First Aid
StationTrash
Restrooms
Showers
Laundry
Store
Lodge
Office
Fish
Cleaning
Station
Restrooms
Visitor
Center

2. Short Trips
Canoe or Boat
Further Afield
Scoville Point
4.2 mile loop
This trail winds its way between the forest and shore-
line communities out to spectacular Scoville Point.
The contrast between the intimacy and protection of
the woods and the powerful influence of Lake Su-
perior is dramatic, especially on a stormy day. Hike
all or part of this figure eight loop to experience the
interplay of land and water. Interpretive signs along
the Stoll Memorial section (1.8 miles) offer insight
into these processes and their effect on the Island’s
history.
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 0 7 / 0 5
Suzy’s Cave
3.8 mile loop
Follow the Rock Harbor Trail 1.8 miles beyond the
Rock Harbor Campground and turn inland at the
wooden post directing you to Suzy’s Cave. Discover
a wave-washed cliff and an inland sea arch, both
formed by wave action some 4000 years ago when
lake water levels were higher. From here the trail
leads on to the gentler Tobin Harbor Trail, which
loops back to Rock Harbor. Along the way, watch
and listen for loons, moose, and other wildlife, as
you meander through a thick canopy of spruce, fir
and birch.
Mount Franklin
10 mile roundtrip
To reach this scenic overlook honoring Benjamin
Franklin, take either the Rock Harbor Trail or Tobin
Harbor Trail until they meet the wooden post which
directs you to the Mount Franklin Trail. Then begin
your ascent of Mount Franklin, a high point on the
Greenstone Ridge. From this breathtaking overlook,
view the Island’s interior and north shore, as well as
the distant Canadian mainland. Bring along a day
pack including lunch, a day’s supply of water, and
rain gear on this all day hike through the Island’s
Wilderness.
Raspberry Island
2 mile roundtrip
Looking across the Rock Harbor Channel from the
America Dock, you see will see Raspberry Island,
just a short canoe or boat ride away. Venture across
the channel to explore the boreal forest, a fragile bog
and scenic rocky shores. Paths and planked bridges
lead you past many unusual plants; including the
insect-eating sundew and pitcher plant, that thrive in
the acidic bog environment. Interpretive signs along
the route explain the ecology of this island’s rich and
varied plant life and the geologic origins of its rugged
shores. Take your time and you will discover enough
variety on this island to keep you intrigued for half
a day.
Tobin Harbor
For a peaceful day of canoeing or boating, explore
the calm waters of Tobin Harbor. This area once
attracted summer vacationers with its cottages, re-
sorts and even a post office; but today is a haven for
wildlife. Loons and mergansers frequent the area,
so keep your eyes and ears open. Tobin Harbor, with
its numerous small islands, provides ideal nesting
habitat for Common Loons. Please respect these
birds by keeping your distance and avoid landing on
islands from early spring through late July, the end
of the nesting season. Check with a ranger to learn
more about protecting Tobin Harbor’s loons. As with
all Isle Royale waters, be careful of shallow reefs and
protruding rocks.
Ojibway Fire Tower
3.5 mile roundtrip or 5.1 mile loop
Starting at Daisy Farm Campground, the Mt. Ojib-
way Trail climbs up and over several ridges to the
highest point on the eastern end of Isle Royale.
Formerly a fire watch station, the tower room today
is complete with scientific instrumentation which
serves to support a nationwide atmospheric moni-
toring program. The tower room is closed, but you
may climb partway up the stairs for views of the
Island’s interior lakes and bays. To return, retrace
your steps, or loop back via the longer Greenstone
Ridge and Daisy Farm Trails that wind through
diverse habitats.
Edisen Fishery and Rock Harbor Lighthouse
Step back in time at the historic Edisen Fishery
located across the harbor from Daisy Farm. Named
for commercial fishers Pete and Laura Edisen, this
friendly couple’s restored fishery tells the story of
this once booming industry. After exploring the
fishery, walk the quarter-mile to the Rock Harbor
Lighthouse, built in 1855 to guide ships safely to
Isle Royale’s copper mining ports. Like the min-
ing industry, the light was short-lived, lit for only 24
years. Today, exhibits in the lighthouse illuminate the
Island’s maritime heritage.
Lookout Louise
2 mile roundtrip
A 20 minute paddle or water taxi ride will put you
at the start of the Lookout Louise Trail, which leads
hikers to a magnificent overlook. The trail winds its
way past Hidden Lake, a small pond with a natural
mineral spring which is a lure for moose; and then
begins the climb upward. Halfway up the ridge,
Monument Rock looms over the trail. This inland sea
stack was carved by wave action thousands of years
ago when lake levels were significantly higher than
today. Traverse higher to the overlook and be reward-
ed by a superb vista of the north side of Isle Royale
and the Ontario mainland. Adventurous people
equipped with a day’s supply of water, rain gear, and
snacks may choose to hike the 9.4 miles back to Rock
Harbor via the Greenstone Ridge, Mount Franklin,
and Tobin Harbor Trails.