Isle Royale–Keweenaw Course Details
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June 15-21, 2025
This lifelong learning course will begin in Copper Harbor, MI at King Copper Motel,
with transportation between Copper Harbor and Isle Royale on the Isle Royale Queen.
This year our participants will stay in waterfront rooms every night of the course, beginning at King Copper Motel in Copper Harbor, MI. Traveling between Copper Harbor and Isle Royale on the Isle Royale Queen IV is a much shorter trip than on the Ranger III, giving us less time on the water and more time on the island.
King Copper Motel
Check-in time is 3PM (Eastern Daylight Time)
Convenientaly located next to the Isle Royale Queen ferry dock.
“The best unobstructed lake views in Copper Harbor.”
Private entrance to your room, with two doors leading directly outside, one right to the lake and one to vehicle parking and Copper Harbor.
Satellite and flat screen TV.
Mini-fridge in room, and fresh coffee is ready each morning at the office.
All rooms are non-smoking — if smoking occurs, a $250 fine is charged to the smoker.
The Orientation Session begins at 4PM on Sunday, June 15 at The Mariner North Banquet Hall, 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, but we can make recommendations or possibly help organize a shuttle if there are a number of people flying.
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 ($195) to your bill.
At the end of the course on Saturday, the Isle Royale Queen does not arrive in Copper Harbor until approximately 6PM. That is too late to catch a departure flight, so we recommend making reservations for Saturday evening, June 21, in Copper Harbor.
Isle Royale Queen IV
Transportation to Isle Royale from Copper Harbor is on the 100-foot long, 85-passenger vessel Isle Royale Queen IV. The 55-mile journey to Rock Harbor takes 3+ hours. Each passenger is allowed 70 pounds of gear/luggage, including one small piece of carry-on luggage.
The Isle Royale Queen website describes this journey: “The awe-inspiring crossing of Lake Superior is part of any Isle Royale adventure.” Traveling on the Isle Royale Queen IV, we will arrive at Rock Harbor before noon on Tuesday, and depart Rock Harbor just before 3PM on Saturday.
The course ends when the Isle Royale Queen IV arrives back
in Copper Harbor, soon after 6PM 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 — $2,747
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 Copper Harbor and Isle Royale. These are small groups — maximum 17 participants.
$300 non-refundable deposit required upon registration.
Final payment due 4/16/25 (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 16, 2025 (30 days or more prior to course start date) — all refunded except $300 non-refundable deposit
Cancellation May 15-June 4, 2025 (11-29 days prior to course start date) — 50% refunded
Cancellation June 3, 2025 or later (10 days or less prior to course start date) — no refund