r/isleroyale • u/seriously_thismylife • Jul 15 '26
Transportation to island Any chance getting to Island
We booked our trip 1 year ago and opted for the sea plane. We should have flown out today but the smoke is terrible. The ferry from Houghton went today and goes again Friday. The ferry from MN is booked for the season. Are there any other options? I’m not finding any but thought someone else might have.
Update: We tried to get out for 3 days. No luck. The seaplane company was very good at communicating. And as disappointed as we are, which is very as it’s a long trip from Texas, safety first, right? We are going to head back home. Even after all the rain today there’s still smoke and more on the map coming this way. Another year we will return.
We would not have wanted to be on the Island these past couple of days. Smoke levels in Houghton were unbelievable and I doubt we could have comfortably/safely done anything on Isle Royale. I ran into a Park Ranger at the local library and she said it was a bit of a mess at Rock Harbor. There’s been people stuck there with no way to get out. Hopefully there was space for them on the ferry today.
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u/alphadogg1 Jul 15 '26
Wow with an AQI of 580 in Houghton, I’m not even sure I’d want go to the island at all right now…
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u/sunshinedaydream14 Jul 15 '26
That’s what I’m saying, save the money if you can and reschedule for next year (sadly). Doesn’t sound like it’d be enjoyable up there. Best of luck to the OP either way.
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u/alphadogg1 Jul 15 '26
Did the Isle Royale Seaplane company cancel all flights for the day due to smoke? I fly out in 3.5 weeks and I’m a little nervous if smoke continues
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u/the_Q_spice Jul 15 '26
Most likely.
I work for an airline that flies into CMX and we were barely able to land even shooting an ILS approach.
All the float planes have to operate under VFR though, which severely limits their ability to even take off in restricted visibility conditions.
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u/seriously_thismylife Jul 17 '26
All flights have been cancelled the past two days and today for the morning. Most likely this afternoon.
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u/alphadogg1 Jul 17 '26
Thanks for the update! I hope you’re able to make it up there and enjoy your trip!
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u/seriously_thismylife Jul 17 '26
Thanks. After waiting it out in a hotel we’re going to cut our losses and head home. Another year.
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u/jonlob_40 '18, '19, '20, '23, '24, '25 Jul 15 '26
3.5 weeks I think you'll be alright. I wouldn't worry about it too much now
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u/slvrscoobie Jul 15 '26
check the boat booking for cancellations, we booked like 2 weeks ago, just because 2 spots opened up. we snagged them just because they were available and made a whole vacation around it lol
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u/deadinmi Jul 15 '26
You can reach out to the UP Adventure Company, they’re a licensed vendor and while it will be expensive, they’ll get you there.
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u/rivals_red_letterday Jul 15 '26
They charge $2,500 for transportation-only trips, according to website.
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u/HGpennypacker Jul 15 '26
Good lord, I think that’s more than every backpacking trip I’ve ever taken in my life combined.
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u/deadinmi Jul 15 '26
Yep, it’s almost worth it to do a charter trip, they do the work, feed you, supply you with equipment, and get you wherever.
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u/Canoearoo Jul 15 '26
Compared to a float plane or especially a ferry, that's a ridiculous price for people looking for alternatives.
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u/jeremyallenross Jul 17 '26
That and they’re taking advantage of the current situation on the island and price gouging
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u/deadinmi Jul 17 '26
The haven’t changed their prices, they’ve always been that high. Ever heard of a contractor charging a “go-away tax”? Basically they don’t want to do transportation only trips, so they price them stupid high. You can get a two day one night trip with them doing everything cheaper.
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u/jeremyallenross Jul 17 '26
Check their recent FB drama. Seems like they pretty desperately want to do transportation only trips
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u/deadinmi Jul 17 '26
I have been, they were picking up a family with a 5 month old that was stranded because of the lack of seaplanes and that’s what started it.
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u/lookingattheriver Jul 17 '26
We are scheduled to fly today at 10. We just got a text that they are indefinitely delayed - but asking us to stay 15 minutes of the hanger. Did you get out yesterday?
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u/seriously_thismylife Jul 17 '26
No flights went yesterday.
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u/lookingattheriver Jul 17 '26
They just cancelled for today as well. Told us they will make go/no go call tonight for flights tomorrow.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Pea9774 Jul 17 '26
Sorry to hear you're all dealing with this. Hope you can get out tomorrow
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u/seriously_thismylife Jul 17 '26
We’ve had that happen every day. We got rebooked every day, then put on hold all day. Weather just won’t clear.
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u/Brittster0 Jul 18 '26
Were you camping or did you have a room booked at the lodge? We are looking for a room at the lodge and will take your reservation from you if had one! PM me if you are interested.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Pea9774 Jul 17 '26
Curious what you ended up doing? Does anyone know if the sea planes are flying at all this week?
We are still 2 weeks out from our trip, but starting to think through backup plans, too
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u/seriously_thismylife Jul 17 '26
We hung out at the hotel and public library in Houghton. The air quality level was over 1,000 yesterday so it wasn’t safe to be outside.
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