Merritt Lane Campground
The Quick Take
Merritt Lane is about as remote as camping gets in the Lower 48. Tucked into the northeast end of Isle Royale, this tiny two-site campground is reachable only by canoe, kayak, or private boat — no ferry service drops you at the door. That means you earn your solitude here, and you will have it. The dock can handle an overnight boat, with a respectable eight feet of depth under normal conditions, and a single shelter offers a backup plan if weather turns ugly. Amenities are essentially nonexistent beyond food lockers to keep your supplies safe from the island's famously bold foxes and squirrels. No potable water, no toilets, no cell signal — just Lake Superior, boreal forest, and the kind of quiet that makes your ears ring. Choose Merritt Lane if you are an experienced paddler or boater who treats roughing it as the whole point, not a concession.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
2 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
With only two sites and no reservations, Merritt Lane rarely fills up — but if it does, you are stuck. Always have a backup campground identified on the northeast end of the island before committing to the paddle in, especially during peak July and August weeks.
There is no potable water here, so bring a quality filter or purification system and plan to draw from Lake Superior. The lake water is exceptionally clean by Great Lakes standards, but giardia is present on the island, so do not skip treatment.
The three-night stay limit from June through Labor Day means you cannot use Merritt Lane as a base camp for extended exploration. Plan it as one stop on a multi-day circumnavigation or island-hopping route rather than a destination in itself.
Photos
NPS / Mike Ausema
Molly Fettig
Molly FettigGetting There
Directions
Merritt Lane Campground is located in Merritt Lane on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park.
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