Hay Bay Campground
The Quick Take
Hay Bay is Isle Royale distilled to its purest form: a single campsite on the south shore, reachable only by canoe, kayak, or private boat. There are no showers, no potable water, no cell service, and absolutely no crowds -- just a dock, a food locker to keep your supplies safe from the island's famous wolves and moose, and one of the most remote camping experiences in the lower 48. The trade-off is obvious: you earn this place. There is no ferry drop-off here, no trail connection that makes it a casual stop. The dock depth ranges from three to seven feet, so plan your vessel accordingly. The three-night stay limit during peak summer keeps things moving, but outside that window you can linger longer. This is a campground for paddlers and boaters who want Isle Royale's south shore solitude without sharing it with anyone.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
1 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
- Generators:Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m.
Pro Tips
Check dock depth conditions before committing -- water levels on Lake Superior fluctuate year to year, and that three-to-seven-foot range at the dock can shrink in dry seasons. Contact the park ranger station for current readings before launching.
Hay Bay sits on the south shore, which gets more afternoon sun and calmer water than the exposed north side of the island. Time your paddle for morning when Lake Superior is typically glassiest, and you will have a warmer, more sheltered evening at camp.
Pack every drop of water you need. There is no potable source here, and while you can filter from the lake, bringing a gravity filter or purification tablets as backup is non-negotiable. Also bring a camp stove -- ground fires are prohibited, and only self-contained stoves are allowed.
Photos
NPS / Val Martin
NPS / Val MartinGetting There
Directions
Hay Bay Campground is located in Hay Bay on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park.
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