Duncan Narrows Campground
The Quick Take
Duncan Narrows is one of Isle Royale's most remote and intimate campgrounds -- just a handful of sites tucked into the narrow channel of Duncan Bay on the park's northeast end. There are no trails leading here; you arrive by canoe, kayak, or private boat, which immediately filters out casual visitors. The dock can handle overnight boats with reasonable draft in normal conditions, and two shelters offer a roof if weather turns. Amenities are essentially nonexistent beyond food lockers (mandatory on an island with wolves and moose), so you are fully self-sufficient or you are in trouble. No potable water, no toilets worth mentioning, no cell service -- just the sound of water lapping against rock. This is a campground for paddlers who want to disappear into the archipelago and do not need anyone to hold their hand.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
3 sites, first-come first-served.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
No RVs. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
No wheelchair access. No Roads
Rules to Know
- Fires:Campfire rings or standing grills provided.
- Generators:Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m.
Pro Tips
With only three sites and no reservations, Duncan Narrows operates purely on a first-come basis. Arrive early in the day, especially during July and August, because paddlers heading along the northeast shore often claim sites by mid-afternoon. If it is full, Merritt Lane and Three Mile campgrounds are your nearest fallback options.
The narrows of Duncan Bay offer surprisingly good fishing for northern pike and walleye using barbless hooks and artificial lures -- no fishing license needed for inland waters. Bring a collapsible rod and a few lures; dinner can literally swim up to your campsite.
Pack at least two days of extra water or bring a reliable filtration system. There is no potable water here, and Lake Superior water -- while clean-looking -- still needs treatment. A gravity filter hanging from a tree at camp is far more pleasant than pumping by hand after a long paddle.
Photos
NPS Photo/Paul Brown
NPSGetting There
Directions
Duncan Narrows Campground is located in the narrows of Duncan Bay on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park.
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