Malone Bay Campground
The Quick Take
Malone Bay sits on Isle Royale's quieter south shore, the kind of campground you earn by paddling or hiking the Ishpeming Trail rather than hopping off the Ranger III with the crowd headed to Rock Harbor. With just a handful of sites and five shelters, this is about as intimate as backcountry camping gets while still having a dock and a nearby ranger station (though don't count on anyone being home). There's no potable water, no showers, and no cell service -- just food lockers, a fire ring, and Lake Superior stretching out in front of you. The three-night stay limit during peak season keeps things rotating, so you won't feel like you're intruding on someone's summer cabin. Choose Malone Bay if you want the structure of a designated campground without the social scene, and you're comfortable filtering your own water.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 7 sites are reservable.
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
The dock depth runs only three to six feet under normal conditions, so if you're arriving by private boat or canoe, check water levels before committing -- low-water years on Superior can make the approach tricky, especially late in the season.
Malone Bay connects to the Ishpeming Trail, which loops through some of the island's less-trafficked interior. Use this campground as a base for day hikes toward Lake Richie or Chippewa Harbor without carrying your full pack.
No potable water means you need a reliable filter or purification system. Lake Superior water is cold and relatively clean, but giardia is present on the island -- bring backup purification tablets in case your filter clogs after silty conditions.
Photos
NPS / Paul Brown
NPS / Val Martin
NPS / Val MartinGetting There
Directions
Malone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Ishpeming Trail.
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