Excursion to Isle Royale National Park aboard National Park Service ferry Ranger III. Isle Royale is an archipelago composed of the largest island in Lake Superior, surrounded by over 200 smaller islands. It is one of the "crown jewels" of the National Park System and an International Biosphere Reserve. After dinner, participants will enjoy a special expert-led lecture about Isle Royale.
Hot breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Check out of the hotel. Drive your vehicle a couple blocks to the Park headquarters to unload luggage and park in a secure lot (no cost). Those without vehicles will be transported to the Park headquarters. Board the National Park Service ferry Ranger III, and travel to Isle Royale. When you ride the Ranger III, you are on the largest piece of moving equipment owned and operated by the National Park Service and the largest passenger ferry providing service to Isle Royale National Park. The voyage to Isle Royale takes about 6 hours one-way. The Ranger III is 165 feet long and can carry 126 passengers. It operates out of Houghton, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula.
Box lunch and possible programs on board Ranger III.
Arrive at Isle Royale National Park and check into the Rock Harbor Lodge. Settle into your room and enjoy a bit of free time in the afternoon to take a short hike or relax and enjoy the view of Lake Superior from your room.
At the Rock Harbor Lodge.
Group meeting followed by an evening program to be announced. This may be a multi-media presentation by Ann and John Mahan, a lecture by a researcher with the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Study, or by NPS interpretive Rangers.
