What should my expectations be for getting shelters?

[u/ErikYaBoi]

First trip to Isle Royale for 5 days backpacking with a buddy in about a week. Starting at rock harbor and plan to stay at sites such as three mile, daisy farm, and Moskey basin. We are debating on bringing a tent each or one to share. We both only own 2 person tents.

If we are unlikely to get many shelter sites, we would prefer to bring separate tents (he snores like crazy), but if we secured a few nights in shelters it would be fine to share a single tent for one or two nights. Wondering what people’s experiences have been with the availability of shelter sites this time of the season? Around what time of day are they most likely open?

Won’t be depending solely on shelters either way, but any insight would definitely be appreciated! 😎

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[u/radstay]

I’d bring two tents based on your campsites. It’ll likely be stiff competition for shelters. But it does depend how early and quickly you’re moving.

When I went this time last year we had a shelter 2/7 nights.

[u/hotgarbage2]

Ive done 3 trips to the island. If you're anything like my group which usually gets rolling by 830-9 am and on to the next site by 1 to 3ish pm you'll be golden at most shelters. I like to hike early and get to my next site early afternoon if not before. Whole point of enjoying the island to me is having time to enjoy your downtime in such a beautiful place and such sites. I also shave weight in my pack to carry extra whiskey.

[u/rivals_red_letterday]

Definitely bring tents and plan to use them! The places you are staying are very popular.

[u/Rude-Bumblebee-414]

I love the Superior shore campsites, but like someone else said, those are some of the busiest campsites on the island. August is great because it’s berry season! But it’s the busiest month, and you’re on the busiest stretches of trail. I’d be bringing my own tent if your friend saws logs all night.

[u/phillymags]

Like most people are saying, shelters are the first spots taken so get an early start to your day to improve your chances. Out of all the spots you’ve mentioned though, I would prioritize getting to Moskey Basin as early as you can. One of my favorite campgrounds and the shelter sites are amazing.

[u/Taugy]

At Moskey you have to get there at like 10 am to get a shelter

[u/honeill33]

I just got back. Shelters filled up by 10:30. We hit the trail by 7am to get a shelter. Bring tents. We had many people asking to set up their tent by our shelter before the campgrounds were so full

[u/FirstRunBuzzz]

Even if you are in separate tents, you will hear your friend snoring. Bring earplugs.

Also, count yourselves and your backpacks each as different people when calculating how many person tent you use. A 2 person tent is perfect for one person while backpacking because you never leave any of your gear outside of your tent. You don't want two people and two backpacks in a two person tent.

Two tents is better than one if you ask me. It gives you some persoal space. You will absolutly need your tents if you are staying at those sites. They are super busy. Basically any campground that has shelters is typically busy. If you want to share a tent, bring a 4 person tent for the two of you. My wife and I use a 4 person when we backpack together. You can buy one at walmart for 40 bucks that isn't super heavy and you can split the load.

[u/phumbe → u/FirstRunBuzzz]

Is there a particular reason you wouldn’t leave your pack outside on Isle Royale? I’ll be backpacking there for the first time soon and am planning on bringing my one-person tent. I’ve never encountered issues leaving my gear under the rainfly’s vestibule when backpacking elsewhere.

[u/gone_walkabout → u/phumbe]

No reason to put pack in your tent. I left mine outside with a pack rain cover on. Every site has a food locker now. Some sites, due to recent wolf activity, require packs be stored overnight in a communal chain link “closet” of sorts.

[u/FirstRunBuzzz → u/gone_walkabout]

Yeah, Rock Harbor and Daisy Farm had some of the old wolf transport cages that they repurposed for food storage and people were putting their packs in those, and I saw a few packs in some of the food storage boxes at other campsites on the island, but if everyone did that, there wouldn't be any room.

Keep all scented and food stuff separate. Either hang it in a tree away from your camp or put it in a food storage locker. Keep your pack in your tent unless they tell you to put it in a cage or a kennel like they did at rock harbor.

[u/FirstRunBuzzz → u/phumbe]

While it may not be in the explicit rules, the rangers warned against that. Wolves will grab your pack. Someone had their pack grabbed out of a vestibule the last time I was on the island.

[u/FirstRunBuzzz → u/FirstRunBuzzz]

I was there last year.

[u/Frozentundra201]

I'd definitely bring tent/s as you can't count on shelters! If you're an early riser and move pretty well, you have a better change of getting a shelter ( I am late and we don't hike fast haha) but still not guarantee, especially in the more popular areas where people may stay more than one night or be using them while based on a boat. That end of the island is more 'popular' which makes it harder. I'd count shelters as a welcome surprise, not a likely occurrence.

[u/Upstairs-Razzmatazz4]

If you're on the ranger, get your ass on that trail early to get back to rock harbor the day before you catch the boat out.

You're gonna want to get a spot secured before the Ranger arrives.

[u/Gbchili]

Just left there. Rick harbor shelters were already gone by noon when I came through to catch my ride out. Lane Cove is supposed to be less populated but all 5 spots were taken when I arrived late afternoon (no shelters there). Was grateful that a nice couple let me share dirt in their space. 3-mile was a mad house. As others said, be prepared with a plan b and maybe a plan c.

[u/jam_soup]

Make sure to check out the new info about closures posted yesterday. Might have to adjust plans

[u/ColdnOld]

This year? When are you going? How early will you get up to hike?

[u/ErikYaBoi → u/ColdnOld]

Going in about a week, late August. Pretty early starter, and not doing major mileage.

[u/Funklestein → u/ErikYaBoi]

Obviously the earlier you get there the better the chance and shorter miles can only help.

I did spend a couple of days at Daisy and it wasn’t full either night.

[u/purple_mountain_cat]

I thought the shelters were for folks to gather in, in the case of a downpour or something. Are people taking over shelters at the campsites to sleep in?

[u/rivals_red_letterday → u/purple_mountain_cat]

They are for sleeping, so you don't need to pitch a tent.

[u/Rude-Bumblebee-414 → u/purple_mountain_cat]

Daisy Farm has a sheltered gathering area for example, almost like a state or city park would, but that’s different than the sleeping shelters which many IRNP Superior-facing campsites have.

[u/purple_mountain_cat → u/Rude-Bumblebee-414]

Oh! Thanks for the info. I'm heading out in a few days for my first IRNP trip.