Isle Royale National Park

Hike the Daisy Farm Trail

Wildlife WatchersBackpackersSolitude Seekers
1.7 mi Distance
1-3 hours Estimated Time
roundtrip Trail Type

What to Expect

This short connector trail drops from the Greenstone Ridge down to Daisy Farm Campground on the shore of Rock Harbor, and it packs a surprising amount of variety into under two miles. You'll start in boreal forest thick with spruce and birch, then the trail transitions into a genuine bog section where a lengthy boardwalk carries you over spongy wetlands filled with pitcher plants and sphagnum moss. The boardwalk can be slick when wet, so watch your footing. Moose frequent this corridor — the boggy terrain is prime browsing habitat, and sightings here are more common than on the main ridge trail. The payoff at Daisy Farm is a lakeside campground with views across Rock Harbor that feel earned even on a short walk. This trail is perfect for backpackers looking for a side trip or day-trippers off the ferry who want a taste of Isle Royale's interior without committing to a full ridge traverse.
Wildlife WatchersBackpackersSolitude SeekersBog EnthusiastsPhotographers

Safety Advisory

Overgrown vegetation encroaches on the trail in mid-to-late summer, obscuring footing and hiding uneven ground. Long pants are worth the warmth.

This is genuine wilderness with no cell service and limited rescue access — carry a map and compass even for this short trail, because a wrong turn at the Greenstone Ridge junction can send you miles in the wrong direction.

Trail Details

Distance 1.7 miles round-trip
Estimated Time 1-3 hours
Trail Type roundtrip
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Hike the Daisy Farm Trail
Trail Tips
  1. 1

    Time your hike for early morning or late evening when moose are most active in the bog — the boardwalk section is essentially a wildlife viewing platform if you're patient and quiet.

  2. 2

    The boardwalk planks get genuinely treacherous when wet. Trekking poles help, but boots with aggressive tread matter more here than on most Isle Royale trails.

  3. 3

    If you're arriving via the Voyageur II ferry, coordinate your drop-off at Daisy Farm dock and hike up to the Greenstone Ridge rather than down — the uphill direction gives you better sight lines into the bog and you'll spot wildlife before they spot you.

Photos

A boardwalk a part of the trail over a beaver point on with plants and trees popping up out of waterNPS / YEVA CIFOR

Getting There

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Explore Isle Royale National Park

36 campgrounds, 65 trails, 29K annual visitors

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