Isle Royale reopens April 16

Isle Royale National Park reopens to visitors on Thursday, April 16, after its annual winter closure. (nps.gov) The park closes every year from November 1 through April 15, and the National Park Service says the 2026 season runs through October 31. (nps.gov) Getting there still takes planning. The National Park Service says public ferries and seaplanes generally do not begin service until mid-May, even though the island itself reopens April 16. (nps.gov) The federal Ranger III ferry from Houghton, Michigan, begins 2026 passenger sailings on May 26 and runs to Rock Harbor on Tuesdays and Fridays, with three Windigo trips scheduled for June 16, July 14, and August 11. The crossing takes about six hours each way. (nps.gov) A one-way adult ticket on Ranger III costs $80, and children ages 1 through 15 ride for $40, according to the National Park Service fare table. The park also said in January that 2026 reservation confirmations would not be processed until seasonal staff returned in mid-April. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2) The Isle Royale Queen IV, a private ferry from Copper Harbor, typically runs from early May through late September and reaches Rock Harbor in a little over three hours. Its posted 2026 fares are $175 for adults and $125 for children 12 and under. (nps.gov) (isleroyale.com) Isle Royale Seaplanes says its 2026 season runs daily from May 17 through September 19, with flights from Hubbell, Michigan, and Grand Marais, Minnesota, to Rock Harbor and Windigo. (isleroyaleseaplanes.com) Visitors also pay a park entrance fee on top of transportation. Isle Royale charges $7 per person per day, including arrival and departure days, while children 15 and under are exempt; a season pass costs $60. (nps.gov) Lodging opens later than the park itself. Rock Harbor Lodge lists its 2026 operating season as June 5 through September 12, and local reporting says Washington Harbor Camper Cabins open June 6. (rockharborlodge.com) (freep.com) That leaves a short window starting April 16 when the island is legally open but regular visitor transportation and most lodging are not yet in service. For early-season travelers, the reopening date is real, but the practical season begins weeks later. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)