Date: June 17-21, 2027
• In May of 2027, a group Zoom meeting with the tour operator will be scheduled to get to know each other, answer your questions, and discuss the trip. Individual Zoom meetings with the tour operator may also be scheduled, if desired.
Age: Adults age 18+
Cost: $1,949; includes all fees, guide services, and essential gear, if needed
• Food and meals are not included
Group Size: Limited to 4 guests
Note: Please read the Important Information section below before registering
Registration Deadline: December 31, 2026

YOUR EDVENTURE ITINERARY
Day 1: Thursday, June 17: Minneapolis to Copper Harbor
This day starts with your drive to Cooper Harbor in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is a 7 or 8-hour drive, depending on your route, that also crosses into the Eastern time zone. Please arrive in Copper Harbor and stop at Old Wise Man of Isle Royale between 5-6pm Eastern (4-5pm Central) or earlier, to pick up your gear and get your pre-departure safety review. Then at 6pm, meet your Zoo host and the other travelers for an optional dinner at The Mariner North restaurant. Afterwards, the evening is yours to enjoy. Check into the motel, repack, and take in a beautiful sunset!
• Accommodations: the Bella Vista Motel or similar

Day 2: Friday, June 18: Copper Harbor to Rock Harbor to To Three Mile Campground
This is an early morning to get on the Isle Royal Queen IV ferry for a 4-hour ride to Rock Harbor. A quick stop at the local bakery for breakfast is a great way to start the day. The ferry departs at 8:00am and upon arrival on Isle Royale, we will take care of the needed permitting and start our hiking adventure. Our first hike will take us along the Rock Harbor trail to the Three Mile Campground. This section of trail offers picturesque views of the Rock Harbor Channel and the outer islands. Three Mile Campground is located right on the shore where campers will enjoy the sounds of water lapping the shoreline while relaxing at camp in the evening.
• Hiking Distance: 3.6 miles

Day 3: Saturday, June 19: Three Mile to Daisy Farm Campground
On your first full day on Isle Royale, you will hike to Daisy Farm Campground. This 4-mile hike continues along Rock Harbor Channel offering scenic views. Eventually the trail offers views of an outer island with plenty of buildings on it. This is Mott Island—Isle Royale's Headquarters on island. About 2 miles in is the Siskowit Mine. The rest of the trek offers views of Rock Harbor Lighthouse and Edisen Fishery. If you’re still feeling energized, take an optional hike on the Daisy Farm Trail to the Greenstone Ridge Lookout.
• Hiking Distance: 4.2 miles
• Optional Hike: 3.4 miles

Day 4: Sunday, June 20: Daisy Farm to Mount Ojibway to Three Mile Campground
Today is your longest hike on the island. You’ll spend a good portion of the day hiking on the stunning Greenstone Ridge Trail, a 1.2 billion year old lava formation, that is the very reason there is a land mass in the middle of Lake Superior. The hike goes from Daisy Farm back to Three Mile but via the Mount Ojibway Trail to the Ojibway fire tower, then along the Greenstone Ridge Trail and finally descends on the Mount Franklin Trail.
• Hiking Distance: 6. 8miles

Day 5: Monday, June 21: Three Mile to Rock Harbor to Copper Harbor to Home (or Hotel)
Your final day on the island is hiking back to Rock Harbor. The return hike on the Rock Harbor Trail gives you a different perspective and views of this spectacular island. And if need be, you are never too far from the harbor in case you want to cool off. Make sure to take it all in as we will board the Isle Royale Queen IV in Rock Harbor around 2:45pm and will return to Copper Harbor around 7:00pm. Here is where we will say our goodbyes and head in our different directions. If you don’t want to make the drive home this evening, make your hotel reservations early.
• Hiking Distance: 3.6 miles

Important Information
Food: No food or meals are included with this EdVenture due to different dietary restrictions, limited space, and limited time. While on island, guests must pack and carry their own food.
Tips:
• Dehydrated, pre-packaged meals work best as they clean up easily, don’t need pans, and are light to carry
• You may want to try your meals before the trip as 3 days of eating food you don’t like will not be fun
• You will have to carry out your own trash
• Plan for light snacking throughout the day
Gear: Each person is provided with the following gear as part of the excursion package. If you have or want to bring your own, you are welcome to do so.
• 1 backpack
• 1 one-person tent
• 1 sleeping bag
• 1 sleeping pad
• 1 set trekking poles
• 1 pot set with 8-oz fuel canister
• 1 coffee cup
• 1 spoon
• 1 water filter
• 1-10L bear bag
• 1 roll toilet paper
• 1 trowel
• 2 one-liter water bottles
Transportation: Guests are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from Copper Harbor.
Health: It is highly recommended that you train by walking with a backpack with some weight in it, starting at a mile or two, but adding weight and distance until three or four miles with 25 pounds in the pack is comfortable.
• You will be required to sign a waiver affirming that you have the consent of your physician to engage in this backpacking trip, as well as releasing the Zoo and Old Wise Man of Isle Royale from any liability.
Safety: Your safety is paramount while on this EdVenture. Please take the time to print, read, and bring this with you: Isle Royale Backpacking EdVenture Safety Information.

Activity level: Easy | Moderate | CHALLENGING | Difficult
Reasons:
• Hiking many miles each day over rough terrain, in all types of weather
• Carrying your own gear and food
• Sleeping on the ground in a tent

Itinerary & Packing List
Check out the Tentative Itinerary & Packing List for this trip.

The itinerary may be altered due to weather, and suitable replacements will try to be scheduled. Refunds will only be made under extenuating circumstances. In case of severe weather, the EdVenture will be cancelled, and a refund will be issued.