North Desor Campground

0 review

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

$2.00 - $2.00 / night

Campsite Fees

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

Recreational use fee prices vary depending on activity; this excludes additional reservation and service fees.

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About this campground

Tucked away in the heart of Isle Royale's untamed wilderness, North Desor Campground offers adventurers a truly remote escape along the scenic Lake Minong Trail. This hidden gem remains blissfully disconnected from the modern world—no boats motor up to its shores, no vehicles rumble nearby. Instead, determined hikers who make the journey on foot are rewarded with an intimate camping experience where solitude meets spectacular lake vistas. Here, the only sounds breaking the silence are lapping waves and the occasional call of a loon echoing across the water.

North Desor Campground is characterized as a remote, foot-accessed camping area with minimal facilities, catering to visitors seeking a primitive camping experience.

Historical SignificanceNorth Desor sits within lands that have witnessed centuries of human history, from the ancient copper miners of 4,500 years ago to the commercial fishing families who once called these remote shores home. The campground's isolation today stands in stark contrast to the bustling activity of the early 1900s, when fishing camps dotted the coastline and the waters teemed with lake trout. Native Ojibwe peoples knew this island as Minong, meaning 'a good place to pick berries,' and their seasonal visits left subtle marks on the landscape that careful observers can still discern.

Weather and SeasonsIsle Royale's maritime climate brings cool, refreshing summers with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 60-75°F, perfect for hiking and exploration. Morning mists often blanket Lake Desor, creating ethereal scenes as the sun burns through. Spring arrives late and autumn comes early to this northern outpost, with the camping season generally running from mid-May through October. Prepare for sudden weather changes—afternoon thunderstorms can roll in quickly across the lake, while evenings often turn crisp even in midsummer.

ElevationPerched near the shores of Lake Desor, the campground rests at approximately 620 feet above sea level, placing it just slightly elevated from Lake Superior's surface. This modest elevation provides gentle slopes perfect for tent placement while offering subtle vantage points for sunset viewing across the inland lake waters.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground immerses visitors in Isle Royale's pristine boreal ecosystem, where ancient ridges clothed in balsam fir and white spruce frame the deep blue waters of Lake Desor. Weathered rock outcroppings speak to billions of years of geological history, while the surrounding forest harbors some of the park's most magnificent old-growth trees. Wildlife thrives in this protected sanctuary—moose browse along the shoreline at dawn, wolves pad silently through the underbrush, and beavers maintain their lodges in nearby coves. The interplay of water, forest, and stone creates an ever-changing canvas of natural beauty that shifts with each passing hour.

Geological RegionNorth Desor Campground lies within one of North America's most fascinating geological showcases. Isle Royale National Park preserves a landscape shaped by ancient lava flows and sculpted by glaciers, creating the distinctive parallel ridges and valleys that define the island's topography. Lake Desor itself fills a depression carved by ice age glaciers, its waters reflecting the billion-year-old volcanic bedrock that forms the island's backbone. This unique geological heritage, combined with the isolating waters of Lake Superior, has created an ecological laboratory where boreal forest communities flourish in splendid isolation, making every visit a journey through deep time.

Campsite details

AccessibilityThe campground is accessible only by foot along the Minong Ridge Trail, which suggests limited accessibility for individuals with mobility impairments.

Sites SizeThe size of campsites is not detailed in the source.

Sites PrivacyThe source materials do not detail the level of privacy of the campsites.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Morning Checkposts open-ed.

Check-out

Evening closing

Stay Limit

2nights from June 1 to Labor Day

Groups

No information is available about group campsite accommodations.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Open and Closed SeasonSeasonal operation is aligned from June 1 to Labor Day.

Reservation PlatformsReservations may be processed either logistically or online through government recreation portals.

Walk-in AvailabilityNot applicable since this site isn’t available for reservation.

Cancellation PolicyCancellation policies are outlined as follows: Customers may cancel reservations prior to check-in date with a $10 fee applicable. Late cancellations incur further penalties. For no-shows, customers forfeit the first-night fees and incur a non-refundable $20 fee.

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities at North Desor Campground are not detailed in the source materials, but its remote location along the Minong Ridge Trail suggests potential opportunities for hiking and nature observation.

Winter Activities

Winter-specific recreational activities are not described in the source.

Water Sports

Water-based activities such as kayaking or paddleboarding are not applicable due to the lack of boating access.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsNone,

Active alertsCampground alongwith neighboring sites are aligned together under regional park.

Weather forecast

°F

Aug 25

Monday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Strong wind, exercise caution

Humidity: 42%

Comfortable humidity levels

Wind: 10.2 mph

Strong wind, exercise caution

Clear sky

7-Day Forecast

Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.

Daily & Hourly Insights

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Temperature Trends

Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.

Precipitation Trends

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Weather Summaries

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Emergency Services

Closest emergency services are most likely based in Houghton, MI, which is the administrative hub for Isle Royale National Park operations.

Good to know

Peak season datesPeak season occurs between June 1 to Labor Day.

Trash and recyclingNo details about trash or recycling facilities are provided in the source materials.

HostNull.

Campground Map

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

Driving directionsNorth Lake Desor Campground is located on the north side of Lake Desor off of the Minong Ridge Trail.

Accessible only by foot as it is positioned off the Minong Ridge Trail; no boat/canoe/kayak access.

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies and amenities would likely be accessible in Houghton, MI, the location of the park headquarters.

Camper Reviews

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0 reviews

Limited Reviews

North Desor Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

There are no user reviews available in the source materials.

Review Summaries