Isle Royale–Keweenaw Course Details

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June 21–27, 2026

This lifelong learning course will begin in Houghton, MI at Super 8 Motel (waterfront rooms on the Portage Canal),
with transportation between Houghton and Isle Royale on the NPS vessel Ranger III.

Super 8 Motel (1200 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton,Michigan, 49931, Phone: 906-482-2240)

  • Check-in time is 3PM (Eastern Daylight Time)

  • Internet access, television

  • Complimentary breakfast

  • Swimming pool and hot tub

  • The hotel is completely smoke-free. In limited designated zones, smoking is exclusively permitted.

    The Orientation Session begins at 4PM on Sunday, June 21 in the Super 8 Meeting Room, followed by dinner and a program.

Note for Arrivals by Airplane and Early Arrivals:

If participants plan to arrive by airplane, the airport is CMX — Houghton County Airport. Participants are responsible for transportation from the airport to the motel..

Flights into Houghton County Airport are limited and we recommend coming on the day before the course begins (Saturday), since trying to come Sunday often means you would arrive late enough to miss all the Sunday afternoon/evening activities.

Others appreciate an early arrival after a long drive, or for time to explore ahead of the course. If you wish to arrive early and would like to take advantage of our group price on the Saturday evening before the course starts, contact us and we’ll reserve an early arrival room for you and add the cost ($145) to your bill.

Ranger III

Transportation to Isle Royale from Houghton is on the 165-foot-long National Park Service vessel Ranger III. The 73-mile journey to Rock Harbor takes about 6 hours. While we are on the island, our cars remain in the gated parking lot at the Ranger III dock/Isle Royale National Park Visitor Center.

The course ends when the Ranger III arrives back in Houghton, soon after 3PM on Saturday.

Rock Harbor Lodge

Lodging on Isle Royale is at Rock Harbor Lodge, with lakeside rooms that directly overlook Lake Superior. Luggage is delivered to your room. The Rock Harbor Lodge complex includes a restaurant, the Greenstone Grill, a gift shop, canoe rental, Guest House, an auditorium, etc.

Double Occupancy

Lodging is reserved as double occupancy rooms. Other arrangements may or may not be possible — contact us to see what is available. If available, there is an additional charge to guarantee single occupancy.

What to Expect

Weather and temperature — be prepared for early spring (40 degree) to mid-summer temperatures, rain, and fog. Weather can be very changeable throughout the day, so be prepared with clothing that can be layered, to enable you to adjust to weather changes. Bringing good rain gear will enable you to enjoy the island even when the sun is not shining. 

Isle Royale is an isolated place, and it is important to be aware that obtaining emergency medical treatment can be a matter of several hours, possibly much more. There is no pharmacy, no public telephone, and cell phone reception is not dependable. (Leaders do communicate with radios while on hikes.) Internet access is available near Rock Harbor Lodge, but not in your room.

Trails on Isle Royale are rocky, with very uneven footing. (Around the Rock Harbor Lodge area, trails are paved or gravel.) Day hikes will be as long as 5 miles. While many do make the 5-mile day hikes over uneven terrain, we work with folks to be flexible, providing options to make it the best trip possible; we are happy to make suggestions for ways to adjust to your own abilities and preferences. We encourage you to contact us if you have concerns or questions.

Rock Harbor Lodge has modern facilities, but be prepared to use outhouses when on daytrips.

If you are a smoker, smoke downwind and away from the group; carry out all cigarette butts, matches, etc.

Isle Royale has many gifts to offer, and most of them come when we are quiet, calm, mindful and alert to what is happening around us (wildlife sightings are a good example). Come with open and inquisitive minds and hearts.

Please Note: It is strongly recommended that participants purchase travel insurance to defray extra costs that might be associated with inclement weather (e.g., ferry delays) or the remoteness of Isle Royale National Park. As you plan your travel connections after this course, please keep in mind that delays in ferry service are uncommon, but do occasionally happen.

Isle Royale–Keweenaw Course Price — $3,427

Price includes all lodging, meals (except alcoholic drinks), Keweenaw coach tour, entrance fees, lectures and programs, guided day hikes, tours on Isle Royale sightseeing boat, and transportation between Houghton and Isle Royale. These are small groups — maximum 17 participants.

$400 non-refundable deposit required upon registration.

Final payment due 4/22/26 (60 days before course start date).

We give a 40% discount on our book, Lake Superior: Story and Spirit, to participants in our courses. 

Cancellation Policy:

  • Cancellation on or before May 22, 2026 (30 days or more prior to course start date) — all refunded except $400 non-refundable deposit

  • Cancellation May 23-June 10, 2026 (11-29 days prior to course start date) — 50% refunded, except $400 non-refundable deposit

  • Cancellation June 11, 2026 or later (10 days or less prior to course start date) — no refund

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