Hike to Suzy's Cave
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The rocks around Suzy's Cave are slippery year-round from moisture and algae. Stay on established footing and resist the urge to scramble onto the arch itself — the rock is brittle and a fall here means a complicated evacuation from one of the most remote parks in the system.
Isle Royale has an active moose population and occasional wolf presence. Keep your distance from moose — they are far more dangerous than they look, especially cows with calves in spring and early summer.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Catch the morning ferry from Houghton or Copper Harbor and hit the trail before midday — Rock Harbor gets its highest foot traffic between noon and three, and the trail narrows enough in spots that passing other hikers on root-choked sections gets tedious.
Wear ankle-supportive footwear with good tread. The roots and rocks on this trail are slick when wet, and Isle Royale's weather can shift from sunshine to drizzle without warning. Trail runners will work in dry conditions, but boots are the safer bet after rain.
Once you reach the cave, look for the natural frame it creates — standing inside and shooting outward toward the forest gives you a dramatic geological portrait that photographs far better than trying to capture the arch from the outside.
Photos
© ROBERT SWANSON
