Pickerel Cove Campground
The Quick Take
Pickerel Cove is about as remote as camping gets in the Lower 48. This single-site campground sits on Isle Royale's rugged north shore, accessible only by canoe or kayak — either paddling directly into the cove or hauling your boat over a short portage from Lake Superior. There are no docks, no potable water, no toilets worth mentioning, and absolutely no one around to bother you. The trade-off is obvious: you earn your solitude the hard way, carrying everything you need on the water. With a two-night stay limit during peak season, this is a waypoint camp for paddlers working the north shore circuit, not a basecamp. Choose Pickerel Cove if you want the kind of quiet where the loudest sound is your own paddle breaking the surface.
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
The portage from Lake Superior is short but can be slippery — wear proper footwear and scout the trail before hauling a loaded canoe. Time your Lake Superior crossing for early morning when winds are typically calmest.
Bring a water filter rated for backcountry use since there is no potable water anywhere nearby. The inland lake water is your best source, but always treat it regardless of how pristine it looks.
Pack a self-contained camp stove and enough fuel for your full stay — no campfires are permitted and there is no firewood for sale within a day's paddle. A windscreen for your stove is essential on this exposed north shore.
Photos
NPS / Mike Ausema
NPS / Paul BrownGetting There
Directions
Pickerel Cove Campground is located in Pickerel Cove on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park.
Get directions
