Caribou Island Campground

5.00

7 reviews

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietStargazingSummer Destination

Featured in:Camping Near Isle Royale National Park

Quick Facts

594 ft

Price

$3 - $9/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open season details:...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

594 ft

Price

$3 - $9/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open season details:...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Caribou Island Campground

$3.00 - $9.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees for using campsites or facilities vary by location and activity; reservation fees range between $3 (in-person) to $9 (contact center)....

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(906) 482-0984isro_parkinfo@nps.gov

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What Campers Say

5.00

Top-Rated

Based on 7 reviews

2 Google reviews

"No user reviews are available, making it difficult to assess visitor sentiment beyond the provided average ratings."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

Caribou Island Campground

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

Driving directionsCaribou Island Campground is located on West Caribou Island, in Rock Harbor Channel, on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park.

Accessible only via canoe, kayak, or private boat; no direct road access.

Nearby places

Houghton (approximately 56 miles southeast by water

travel time depends on boat speed and conditions).

Nearby supplies

Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are available in Houghton, MI

no direct access to supplies on Caribou Island.

Best Time to Camp at Caribou Island Campground

Summer transforms this northern sanctuary into a camper's paradise, with June through August offering warm days, cool nights, and skies that stretch endlessly above the lake. While winter brings fierce storms and bone-chilling temperatures that make the island inaccessible, the brief but brilliant summer season rewards patient visitors with moderate temperatures perfect for exploration, star-filled nights ideal for contemplation, and weather stable enough for the boat journey that begins every adventure here.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer described as ideal (warm days, cool nights); site open June 1–Labor Day.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

Not recommended

Open season ends Labor Day; fall use not supported in overview.

Spring(Mar-May)

Not recommended

Open season begins June 1, so spring is outside the primary season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Closed in winter; open season June–Labor Day.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 1 – Labor Day.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season details: June 1 – Labor Day (stay limit effective during this period).

About Caribou Island Campground

Escape to the untamed wilderness of Caribou Island Campground, a secluded haven accessible only by boat on the western shores of West Caribou Island. Nestled within Isle Royale National Park's pristine Rock Harbor Channel, this remote retreat beckons adventurous souls with two weathered shelter structures and a modest 10-foot dock where your vessel can rest for the night. Here, where the rhythms of nature dictate the day, you'll discover what true solitude feels like—miles from the nearest road, surrounded only by the whisper of wind through ancient trees and the gentle lapping of Superior's waters.

This campground offers primitive camping accommodations with basic shelter structures.

Historical SignificanceIsle Royale National Park stands as a testament to nature's raw power and resilience, its ancient geological foundations telling stories written in stone and water over millennia. This preserved wilderness has captivated explorers, naturalists, and seekers of solitude for generations, remaining one of America's most pristine and least-visited national parks. The island's isolation has created a living laboratory where nature unfolds undisturbed, offering visitors a glimpse into a world where wilderness still reigns supreme.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms this northern sanctuary into a camper's paradise, with June through August offering warm days, cool nights, and skies that stretch endlessly above the lake. While winter brings fierce storms and bone-chilling temperatures that make the island inaccessible, the brief but brilliant summer season rewards patient visitors with moderate temperatures perfect for exploration, star-filled nights ideal for contemplation, and weather stable enough for the boat journey that begins every adventure here.

ElevationRising gently from the crystalline waters of Lake Superior, Caribou Island's terrain offers subtle changes in elevation that create intimate camping spaces sheltered by the island's natural contours. While specific elevation data remains unrecorded, the island's modest relief provides just enough variation to keep exploration interesting while maintaining easy access between the shoreline dock and inland shelter sites.

Natural Features and SceneryWest Caribou Island emerges from Lake Superior like a forgotten fragment of primeval forest, its shores sculpted by centuries of waves and weather. Dense stands of boreal forest create a verdant canopy overhead, while the rugged shoreline reveals weathered rock formations that speak to the island's ancient origins. From your campsite, watch morning mist rise from the lake's surface, observe eagles soaring above the treeline, and witness sunsets that paint the water in shades of copper and gold. This is nature unfiltered—raw, beautiful, and profoundly peaceful.

Geological RegionCaribou Island rests within the remarkable geological tapestry of Isle Royale National Park, where billion-year-old volcanic bedrock meets the world's largest freshwater lake. The island showcases the region's characteristic rugged terrain, carved by glaciers and polished by time into a landscape of rocky outcrops, hidden coves, and dense forest groves. As part of the Lake Superior basin, this remote outpost offers campers a front-row seat to observe the powerful forces that continue to shape this ancient landscape, from seasonal storms to the patient work of wind and water.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

3nights effective from June 1 – Labor Day.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTwo shelters available; layout details unspecified.

Reservation PlatformsReservations cannot be made for this campground, as it is non-reservable.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up only; sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations may incur a $10 fee and forfeit the first night’s fees if within the late cancellation window; no refunds for Scan & Pay.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Recommended SitesNo specific site recommendations due to lack of user reviews.

Activities you can enjoy

Caribou Island Campground provides recreational options given its unique location within Isle Royale National Park.

BoatingBoaters can dock overnight at the site, with designated docking facilities and a depth of 10 feet under normal conditions.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include unpredictable weather, high winds, and water navigation challenges. Wildlife encounters may also pose risks.

Fire PolicyInformation not clearly stated; typically governed by Isle Royale National Park's fire regulations.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are in Houghton, MI, including hospitals and police stations. Isle Royale has ranger stations, but access is remote.

Water FeaturesDirect access to Lake Superior with a 10-foot dock for boat mooring.

Camp HostNo information available about campground hosts.