Caribou Island Campground
800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA
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)....
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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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider(906) 482-0984isro_parkinfo@nps.gov
About this 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.
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Campsite details
Total Campsites2 campsites
Recommended CampsitesNo specific site recommendations due to lack of user reviews.
Best CampsitesSpecific site numbers or details about 'best campsites' are unavailable.
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 are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutTwo shelters available; layout details unspecified.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen season details: June 1 – Labor Day (stay limit effective during this period).
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.
Activities you can enjoy
Caribou Island Campground provides recreational options given its unique location within Isle Royale National Park.
Boating
Boaters can dock overnight at the site, with designated docking facilities and a depth of 10 feet under normal conditions.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Information not clearly stated; typically governed by Isle Royale National Park's fire regulations.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include unpredictable weather, high winds, and water navigation challenges. Wildlife encounters may also pose risks.
Weather forecast
37
°F
Nov 25
Tuesday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Humidity: 80%
High humidity, may feel muggy
Wind: 13.1 mph
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Overcast
7 day forecast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Nearest emergency services are in Houghton, MI, including hospitals and police stations. Isle Royale has ranger stations, but access is remote.
Good to know
Peak season datesJune 1 – Labor Day.
Proximity to water featuresDirect access to Lake Superior with a 10-foot dock for boat mooring.
Common complaintsNo user reviews available; no complaints mentioned.
HostNo information available about campground hosts.
Campground Map
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.
Camper Reviews
0.0
0 reviews
Caribou Island Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
No user reviews are available, making it difficult to assess visitor sentiment beyond the provided average ratings.
Review Summaries
No review summaries available for this campground yet.
Check back later as we continuously analyze new reviews.
Last updated November 24, 2025
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