Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park Might Be Closed This Summer

Here is some potentially sad news.

Visitors and tourists may not be able to visit a Michigan gem this summer.

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Isle Royale National Park may be without the ferry that shuttles everyone to and from the island. The only other way to get to the island is by seaplane.

What's up?

As of now, the ferry service is without a crew, or part of one at least. Operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, legally, it cannot operate without a fully licensed Coast Guard crew.

Bill Fink, a former Isle Royale superintendent now retired, told the National Parks Traveler that the engineer and assistant engineer took advantage of the buyout from the Trump administration to retire, leaving the ferry, Ranger III, without a full staff. Since there is a hiring freeze in effect, the parks department can't replace them. So, for now, Ranger III sits at the dock.

Fink also told the National Parks Traveler that the ferry doesn't just transport visitors to the island. It's is an essential carrier of staff and visitors, and also carries the fuel which runs generators for the developed areas. Also it carries the bulk of the frozen and fresh food for employees and the lodge and it carries the major freight load for projects, in addition to carrying off the refuse from the park staff and the lodge operation.

That is no easy trip either. It's 76 nautical miles between Houghton, Michigan, and the park and takes about six-and-a-half hours across Lake Superior.

No one is clear what will happen next. Usually the park opens on April 16, but cannot be opened without the ferry running. A sea plane certainly can't fill in the gap! So, for now, they are still planning to begin passenger service on May 27.

We will see.