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season. This is true of the limited accommodations on the island and the various boats and seaplanes that can get you there. Thus, it is not unusual to call before the park is even open for the year and learn that everything was booked months ago. We learned that lesson the hard way in years past.
The first challenge is getting to a point where you can launch across Lake Superior to the island. To do so means getting to one of two areas: the north shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (situated above Wisconsin, not lower Michigan) or the eastern point of Minnesota’s Arrowhead region (the extreme northeastern portion of the state). If airlines are your only option, you really only have one choice: Upper Michigan’s Houghton County Memorial Airport (KCMX). There are also no interstate highways in those regions; rather, there are mainly U.S. or state highways and most are two-lane roads. Thus, GA is the key to easing the pain of reaching Isle Royale. Still, even your personal or chartered King Air will only get you so close. Realistically, the King Air will take you to one of two airports and you’ll have to choose how to make the final leg out to IRNP from there.
The Michigan choice: KCMX is the only full-service airport available in the area. It offers 6,500-foot and 5,200- foot runways, multiple instrument approaches (including ILS and LPV options), full FBO and fuel services, and rental cars (plus other ground transportation options).
Isle Royale Seaplanes offers the most scenic way to get to Isle Royale NP. They operate in Michigan during the summer, then the team and some aircraft relocate to Marco Island, Florida, where they transform into Salt Island Seaplanes.
Plan now for Isle Royale travel
Transportation and lodging reservations are limited and fill quickly for Isle Royale National Park. Seaplane, ferry and camper cabin reservations open in early January each year. Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association (UPTravel.com) suggests booking your Rock Harbor lodge rooms and cabins six months to one year in advance.
JANUARY 2025
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 27
PHOTO CREDIT: MARINA ALEXANDER/ISLE ROYALE SEAPLANES