Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale is the wilderness experience for crews who are ready for total isolation. The ferry drops you on an island 50 miles from the mainland - you're stuck there until pickup day, so you better have your act together. The island is 45 miles long with 165 miles of trails. You'll hike ridgelines with Lake Superior views, camp on inland lakes, fish for brook trout, and share the island with wolves and moose (the longest-running predator-prey study in the world). There are no bail-outs, no resupply, no easy escapes. This is expedition-level backpacking without leaving the Midwest. It's expensive (ferry, permits), logistically complex, but unforgettable. Boys who complete Isle Royale know they can handle anything.
- Island wilderness isolation
- Ferry or seaplane access
- Wolves and moose ecosystem
- ✓At least two Tier 1 trips completed
- ✓Self-sufficiency skills
- ✓Wilderness first aid required
- ✓Ferry booking 6+ months advance
Requires ferry booking well in advance
⭐ Potential: This trip is ready to go and could replace or supplement scheduled trips with minimal planning.
All logistics, costs, and prerequisites are well-defined. Ready to schedule when needed.