Malone Bay Campground

2.50

6 reviews

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

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

640 ft

Price

$3 - $9/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Open season generall...

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

640 ft

Price

$3 - $9/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Open season generall...

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

Malone Bay Campground

$3.00 - $9.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees vary by site type and reservation method: $8 online/app, $9 contact center, $3 in-person. Additional fees apply for modifications,...

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

2.50

Mixed Reviews

Based on 6 reviews

2 Google reviews

Most mentioned

views

"The user reviews highlight significant issues with some campsites, such as Group Site #2 being unusable due to large ant mounds. This suggests mixed experiences among visitors."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

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

Malone Bay Campground

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

Driving directionsMalone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Ishpeming Trail.

Access is limited to foot, canoe, kayak, or private boat.

Nearby places

Houghton, MI (approximately 50 miles by water, no direct road access).

Nearby supplies

Supplies can be obtained in Houghton, MI before accessing Isle Royale National Park.

Best Time to Camp at Malone Bay Campground

Malone Bay transforms with the seasons, each offering its own dramatic beauty. Winter brings fierce winds that whip across the bay, occasionally dusting the landscape with light snow—a reminder of Superior's raw power. As spring melts into summer, the campground awakens with warmer temperatures perfect for paddling and hiking, though wise visitors always pack layers for Superior's notorious mood swings. The island's weather can shift from sunshine to storm in moments, adding an element of adventure to every stay.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season June–Labor Day; best access and milder weather for paddling and hiking.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Descriptions note dramatic seasonal beauty; likely quieter with good wildlife and color viewing.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Transitional season with dramatic beauty noted, but cold/windy conditions likely remain common.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Winters bring fierce winds; site not described as winter-recreation friendly and may be closed.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 1 – Labor Day annually is the peak season for this campground.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season generally aligns with Isle Royale National Park operating dates; specific closure not detailed.

About Malone Bay Campground

Tucked away on the pristine south shore of Isle Royale National Park, Malone Bay Campground offers an authentic wilderness escape accessible only by foot, paddle, or private watercraft. This secluded haven features five rustic shelters where adventurers can rest after a day of exploration. While a dock provides convenient water access and a nearby ranger station offers occasional support, the true allure lies in the campground's remote tranquility—a place where the rhythms of nature replace the noise of modern life.

Malone Bay Campground caters to campers seeking a rustic and primitive experience. It is suitable for hikers, paddlers, and boaters accessing the area.

Historical SignificanceFor centuries before becoming a national park, these shores witnessed the passage of Ojibwe peoples who navigated Superior's waters with remarkable skill. Later, hardy settlers and copper miners left their mark on the island, their abandoned structures now reclaimed by forest. Today, Isle Royale stands as one of America's most studied ecosystems, where the legendary dance between wolves and moose continues to captivate scientists and visitors alike—a living laboratory of predator-prey relationships found nowhere else on Earth.

Weather and SeasonsMalone Bay transforms with the seasons, each offering its own dramatic beauty. Winter brings fierce winds that whip across the bay, occasionally dusting the landscape with light snow—a reminder of Superior's raw power. As spring melts into summer, the campground awakens with warmer temperatures perfect for paddling and hiking, though wise visitors always pack layers for Superior's notorious mood swings. The island's weather can shift from sunshine to storm in moments, adding an element of adventure to every stay.

ElevationWhile Isle Royale rises gently from Superior's depths, Malone Bay sits at a modest elevation that perfectly balances accessibility with scenic vistas. The campground's position near water level means easy beach access for launching kayaks at dawn, while short climbs to nearby ridges reward hikers with sweeping views across the bay and into the island's forested interior.

Natural Features and SceneryMalone Bay captivates with its untamed beauty—ancient boreal forests press against rocky shores where Superior's crystal-clear waters lap endlessly. Eagles soar overhead while moose wade through shallow coves at dusk. The campground serves as your front-row seat to nature's theater: mornings arrive with loon calls echoing across mirror-still water, afternoons bring the rustle of wind through towering pines, and evenings paint the sky in shades of amber and rose that photographers dream about.

Geological RegionMalone Bay Campground rests within Isle Royale's remarkable geological tapestry—an archipelago born from ancient volcanic activity and sculpted by glaciers over millennia. The rugged shorelines tell stories written in billion-year-old basalt, while inland lakes nestle in valleys carved by ice. Dense coniferous forests blanket the ridges and valleys between, creating a maze of green that harbors some of North America's most pristine wilderness. This isolated wonderland, surrounded by the world's largest freshwater lake, remains one of the least visited yet most rewarding destinations in the national park system.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

3nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually.

Groups

No group campsites or details about group camping were mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutFeatures five shelters; further layout details not provided.

Reservation PlatformsNot reservable. Other broader site reservations can be made via Recreation.gov or mobile app.

Walk-in AvailabilityThis campground is first-come, first-served; specific site availability patterns not provided.

Cancellation PolicyReservations are not applicable, but broader cancellation policies for other facilities in the recreation area include $10 fees for late cancellations and forfeiture of first-night fees.

AccessibilityAccessibility features were not mentioned in the provided information.

Site SizeThere are 5 shelters available at this campground, but specific dimensions of the shelters or campsite sizes are not provided.

PrivacyNo information is available about the privacy level of the campsites.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Activities you can enjoy

The activities within the campground were not explicitly stated, but being located on Isle Royale National Park and accessible by canoe, kayak, or private boat suggests potential recreational opportunities such as paddling and hiking.

BoatingThe campground is accessible via private boat, canoe, and kayak, suggesting that boating activities are a significant attraction.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include wildlife encounters, rugged terrain, challenging weather conditions, and remote access requiring careful planning.

Fire PolicyCampfires may be restricted; specific policies not detailed.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are located in Houghton, MI, accessible by water or air.

Trash & RecyclingNo details regarding trash and recycling facilities were mentioned.

Water FeaturesThe campground is adjacent to Lake Superior and features a dock with 3’-6’ depth during normal conditions.

Camp HostRanger station nearby but not always staffed.

Weather at Malone Bay Campground

Reviews

2.5

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Malone Bay Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

The user reviews highlight significant issues with some campsites, such as Group Site #2 being unusable due to large ant mounds. This suggests mixed experiences among visitors.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews