Isle Royale National Park

Harbor to Hills Section 3: Hike from Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin

BackpackersSolitude SeekersWildlife Watchers
3.9 mi Distance
Varies Estimated Time
roundtrip Trail Type

What to Expect

This stretch of the Rock Harbor Trail trades lake views for deep island interior, winding through boreal forest where spruce and birch close in tight and rocky outcroppings jut through the moss like the island's spine showing through. The nearly four miles from Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin feel longer than they sound — roots lace the trail like tripwires, overgrown vegetation brushes your pack, and the footing demands constant attention. You're not climbing anything dramatic here, but the terrain rolls and dips enough to keep your legs honest. The payoff is Moskey Basin itself: a sheltered campground tucked against the shore where the quiet is almost disorienting. This is a trail for backpackers who came to Isle Royale to disappear into the wilderness, not to tick off viewpoints.
BackpackersSolitude SeekersWildlife WatchersWilderness ImmersionExperienced Hikers

Safety Advisory

Rocks and roots dominate the trail surface — ankle rolls are the most common injury on this section. Trekking poles and sturdy boots with ankle support are worth their weight here.

This is moose country. Bull moose can be aggressive during fall rut, and cow moose are protective of calves in spring. Give any moose you encounter at least fifty yards and never position yourself between a cow and calf.

Trail Details

Distance 3.9 miles round-trip
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type roundtrip
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Harbor to Hills Section 3: Hike from Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

Start from Daisy Farm early in the morning — the trail gets humid once the sun heats up the dense canopy, and biting insects peak midday in summer.

Trail Tip

Wear gaiters or at minimum long pants; the overgrown vegetation near the trail is notorious for soaking your legs with dew well into late morning, and wet boots on rocky terrain is a recipe for blisters.

Trail Tip

Moskey Basin's shelter sites fill up fast in peak season. If you're camping there, aim to arrive by early afternoon to claim a spot, and check the NPS campground status board at Rock Harbor before heading out.

Photos

A rocky shoreline before a forest by a lake.NPS / DERRICK JAEGER

Getting There

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Explore Isle Royale National Park

36 campgrounds, 65 trails, 29K annual visitors

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