Shelters, Tents, and Tarps
If you are going into the Isle Royale back country--and that includes staying at the Rock Harbor and Windigo (Washington Creek) campgrounds--you are most likely going to need AND WANT some form of shelter. I have done some "cowboy camping" on Isle Royale--sleeping out under the stars without using an actual tent or tarp (that I DID have with me). However, things like heavy dew and an abundance of bugs, can make camping without using a tent or tarp a somewhat unpleasant and very damp experience. Isle Royale also has rain (some of it heavy), strong winds, cool/cold temperatures, bugs, mosquitos, and various critters. Thus, you are REALLY going to want some type of shelter when you head into the Isle Royale back country
The three most common types of shelter at Isle Royale are three-sided wooden shelters, tents, and tarps. (Some people also use camping hammocks--but I cover hammocks on its own separate page elsewhere on this website).
The three most common types of shelter at Isle Royale are three-sided wooden shelters, tents, and tarps. (Some people also use camping hammocks--but I cover hammocks on its own separate page elsewhere on this website).
Wooden Shelters
Some (I repeat, "SOME") Isle Royale campgrounds have a limited number of three-sided wooden shelters available. (The fourth side is screened-in and has a screen door). These shelters can be occupied on a "first come" basis. They cannot be reserved. Your group / party cannot split up and some of you use the shelter and some of you use tents, tarps, or hammocks at other campsites elsewhere in the same campground (or elsewhere on the Island). You CANNOT use the shelter for storage or as a "base camp" while you camp elsewhere overnight.
People are ENCOURAGED to share shelters--especially in bad weather (the shelters allegedly sleep up to six persons). HOWEVER, there is no National Park Service rule or law that requires you to share a shelter that you have claimed. (However, why be a jerk and refuse to share the space--especially in bad weather?).
You ARE NOT PERMITTED to hang a hammock inside of a wooden shelter. However, you CAN set up a tent inside a shelter. (With the one whole side of the shelter essentially being open to the elements --except for bug screening-- AND with cool air blowing underneath the non-insulated wooden floor boards-- staying in a shelter can be cooler/colder than staying totally outdoors in a tent). That is why some people choose to set up their tent INSIDE the wooden shelter. The tent provides some additional protection from the wind--and helps retain your body heat closer to you--and the tent floor adds another layer of warmth and protection on the floor. HOWEVER, you cannot nail, screw, or tape anything to the walls--ceiling or floor of the shelter!
Be sure to sweep out the shelter (with the broom that is provided) prior to departing. It is everyone's job to help keep Isle Royale clean.
ALWAYS BRING A TENT, TARP, OR OTHER FORM OF SHELTER WITH YOU. DO NOT COUNT ON A WOODEN SHELTER BEING AVAILABLE. In fact, you are probably very unlikely to get a place in a shelter. So, you are going to be in a pretty difficult situation if you don't bring a tent, tarp or other form of shelter with you.
People are ENCOURAGED to share shelters--especially in bad weather (the shelters allegedly sleep up to six persons). HOWEVER, there is no National Park Service rule or law that requires you to share a shelter that you have claimed. (However, why be a jerk and refuse to share the space--especially in bad weather?).
You ARE NOT PERMITTED to hang a hammock inside of a wooden shelter. However, you CAN set up a tent inside a shelter. (With the one whole side of the shelter essentially being open to the elements --except for bug screening-- AND with cool air blowing underneath the non-insulated wooden floor boards-- staying in a shelter can be cooler/colder than staying totally outdoors in a tent). That is why some people choose to set up their tent INSIDE the wooden shelter. The tent provides some additional protection from the wind--and helps retain your body heat closer to you--and the tent floor adds another layer of warmth and protection on the floor. HOWEVER, you cannot nail, screw, or tape anything to the walls--ceiling or floor of the shelter!
Be sure to sweep out the shelter (with the broom that is provided) prior to departing. It is everyone's job to help keep Isle Royale clean.
ALWAYS BRING A TENT, TARP, OR OTHER FORM OF SHELTER WITH YOU. DO NOT COUNT ON A WOODEN SHELTER BEING AVAILABLE. In fact, you are probably very unlikely to get a place in a shelter. So, you are going to be in a pretty difficult situation if you don't bring a tent, tarp or other form of shelter with you.
Important Information Regarding Isle Royale Campgounds
(Including things like which ones have wooden shelters, which sites permit campfires, consecutive night stay limits etc. This as of 2023)
Tents
I am not going to write very much about tents. Most of you are at least somewhat familiar with tents and how to use them. Unless you have a CROSS COUNTRY PERMIT (some people call it an "off trail permit") you MUST camp at official campgrounds and pitch your tent (or tarp or hammock) ONLY in the designated tent site areas. (Some people call these cleared and compacted areas a "tent pad"). You cannot pitch your tent anywhere else in the campsite or in the campground.
When picking a site to pitch your tent--try to be mindful of how and where rainwater may drain. Avoid setting up your tent underneath dead branches and dead trees ("widow makers").
Much of the ground on Isle Royale has rocks and roots--so staking your tent (or tarp) is sometimes a challenge--but is almost always possible. I sometimes tie my tent lines to things like trees, logs, big rocks and other items if I can't pound a stake into the ground. Other areas on Isle Royale are very sandy--and tent stakes pull out easily. So far, these have been my favorite tent stakes for Isle Royale. MSR Groundhog Stakes (Click the Link)
Keep your tent zipped up at all times--and keep your food (and other "smellables") in sealed containers or sealed bags (preferably "double-bagged"). Isle Royale does not have bears--but it has foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, gray jays--and other critters that will walk off with (or eat) just about anything...including clothes and shoes that are left unattended. I saw a tent--where the people had left in oder to take a couple hour day hike. Someone had left an OPEN bag of trail mix in a tent. Some rodents chewed their way THROUGH the tent wall in order to gain access the trail mix while the people were gone on the day hike. They should have listened to me and sealed up the trail mix and bagged it--or peferably "double-bagged" it.
A NOTE ABOUT THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF YOUR TENT
At the end of the day, YOU are the one who has to live in the tent and also carry it (if backpacking) or possibly portage it (if you are paddling). Thus, you have to be mindful of having a tent that gives you enough space to be comfortable (especially if a rainstorm confines you to the tent all day)--but also light enough and small enough so it doesn't add lots of weight to your pack and take up lots of pack space. (That is, unless you don't mind having a heavier pack weight). You also have to PAY for whatever tent that you choose to buy. (Unless you rent or borrow a tent). My personal preference is this--why carry a much larger (and heavier) tent--If you have a way to get a smaller and lighter one that will also do the same job? I have seen solo hikers carrying very heavy 4-person tents.
If you do a good internet search, you can find plenty of tents that are smaller and lighter (but some are a bit too expensive for some people's budget). Do your research. Read the reviews. Look at your needs and your budget. Then make your decision. If you still want some more advice and assistance, you can always reach out to me at [email protected].
For both tent camping and tarp camping--I strongly recommend having a "ground cloth" or "footprint" of some kind to protect the bottom of the tent and to povide another layer of protection between you (and your gear) and the bare ground. Their are fancy ground cloths and footprints that you can buy--but you can also use a piece of Tyvek (the stuff that is used under house siding), or a piece of plastic sheeting used to cover things when painting inside a house, a shower curtain, or other similar things for a ground cloth. I also tend to put the ground cloth under me when I am sleeping in a wooden shelter. It helps to protect me and my stuff from any dirt and sharp stuff on the shelter floor (and it adds an additional layer of warmth underneath me).
CLICK THIS LINK TO GET INFORMATION AND MAPS FOR ALL OF THE ISLE ROYALE CAMPGROUNDS
When picking a site to pitch your tent--try to be mindful of how and where rainwater may drain. Avoid setting up your tent underneath dead branches and dead trees ("widow makers").
Much of the ground on Isle Royale has rocks and roots--so staking your tent (or tarp) is sometimes a challenge--but is almost always possible. I sometimes tie my tent lines to things like trees, logs, big rocks and other items if I can't pound a stake into the ground. Other areas on Isle Royale are very sandy--and tent stakes pull out easily. So far, these have been my favorite tent stakes for Isle Royale. MSR Groundhog Stakes (Click the Link)
Keep your tent zipped up at all times--and keep your food (and other "smellables") in sealed containers or sealed bags (preferably "double-bagged"). Isle Royale does not have bears--but it has foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, gray jays--and other critters that will walk off with (or eat) just about anything...including clothes and shoes that are left unattended. I saw a tent--where the people had left in oder to take a couple hour day hike. Someone had left an OPEN bag of trail mix in a tent. Some rodents chewed their way THROUGH the tent wall in order to gain access the trail mix while the people were gone on the day hike. They should have listened to me and sealed up the trail mix and bagged it--or peferably "double-bagged" it.
A NOTE ABOUT THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF YOUR TENT
At the end of the day, YOU are the one who has to live in the tent and also carry it (if backpacking) or possibly portage it (if you are paddling). Thus, you have to be mindful of having a tent that gives you enough space to be comfortable (especially if a rainstorm confines you to the tent all day)--but also light enough and small enough so it doesn't add lots of weight to your pack and take up lots of pack space. (That is, unless you don't mind having a heavier pack weight). You also have to PAY for whatever tent that you choose to buy. (Unless you rent or borrow a tent). My personal preference is this--why carry a much larger (and heavier) tent--If you have a way to get a smaller and lighter one that will also do the same job? I have seen solo hikers carrying very heavy 4-person tents.
If you do a good internet search, you can find plenty of tents that are smaller and lighter (but some are a bit too expensive for some people's budget). Do your research. Read the reviews. Look at your needs and your budget. Then make your decision. If you still want some more advice and assistance, you can always reach out to me at [email protected].
For both tent camping and tarp camping--I strongly recommend having a "ground cloth" or "footprint" of some kind to protect the bottom of the tent and to povide another layer of protection between you (and your gear) and the bare ground. Their are fancy ground cloths and footprints that you can buy--but you can also use a piece of Tyvek (the stuff that is used under house siding), or a piece of plastic sheeting used to cover things when painting inside a house, a shower curtain, or other similar things for a ground cloth. I also tend to put the ground cloth under me when I am sleeping in a wooden shelter. It helps to protect me and my stuff from any dirt and sharp stuff on the shelter floor (and it adds an additional layer of warmth underneath me).
CLICK THIS LINK TO GET INFORMATION AND MAPS FOR ALL OF THE ISLE ROYALE CAMPGROUNDS
CAMPING WITH TARPS
I tend to camp on Isle Royale with either a camping hammock--or with just a tarp. The biggest ADVANTAGE of tarps is that they take up far less space in your pack--and often weigh much less than tents. (And, I am oftentimes an ultralight backpacker and a self-confessed "gram weenie' when it comes to the weight of my gear). The disadvantages of camping with just a tarp as your shelter are many--so tarps are definitely NOT for everyone. (I have over 52 years of camping and backpacking experience--plus wilderness survival training. Thus, I have used tarps quite a bit over a several decade period of time).
You SHOULD NOT try tarp camping for the very first time when you are on Isle Royale! Practice tarp camping the first several times closer to home and in areas that are not remote like Isle Royale. If your "experiments" with tarp camping don't go well, you need to be able to quickly and easily throw your stuff into your vehicle and just drive home or to a hotel.
Unless you also bring bug netting, tarps are wide open to all of the bugs and mosquitos. You also have to keep your stuff securely contained in your backpack at all times (especially when going away to the outhouse "for just a minute") -- otherwise you leave your stuff open to being stolen by critters. Changing clothes under a tarp gives you no privacy--so I tend to change clothes in an outhouse. You are far more open to the wind and rain when using just a tarp. (So, some people combine tarp camping with using a "bivy sack"). Tarps do a very poor job of retaining you body heat around you (unlike a tent).
I will include a few photos of SOME of the tarps that I have used on Isle Royale. Note, some of these tarp setups in the photos were quick and hasty set ups in order to get out of the way of an approaching rainstorm. I always would have arranged my tarp differently before staying under it all night. My oddest tarp, is the one that I personally made out of a CLEAR shower curtain--and re-enforced at certain places with duct tape. The goal was to see if I could watch stars and the moon at night and stay under my tarp. (I could do that a little bit--but I also had a VERY bright sleeping place the moment that the sun first came up in the morning--and I had almost no shade from the sun later in the day). So, I "retired" that clear tarp after just one trip. Another interesting tarp setup, was the night I combined my tarp and my rain poncho to turn a picnic table into a multi-level tarp "mansion"--with shelves for my stuff--and a place to get up higher if torrential rains and flooding came through the campsite.
You SHOULD NOT try tarp camping for the very first time when you are on Isle Royale! Practice tarp camping the first several times closer to home and in areas that are not remote like Isle Royale. If your "experiments" with tarp camping don't go well, you need to be able to quickly and easily throw your stuff into your vehicle and just drive home or to a hotel.
Unless you also bring bug netting, tarps are wide open to all of the bugs and mosquitos. You also have to keep your stuff securely contained in your backpack at all times (especially when going away to the outhouse "for just a minute") -- otherwise you leave your stuff open to being stolen by critters. Changing clothes under a tarp gives you no privacy--so I tend to change clothes in an outhouse. You are far more open to the wind and rain when using just a tarp. (So, some people combine tarp camping with using a "bivy sack"). Tarps do a very poor job of retaining you body heat around you (unlike a tent).
I will include a few photos of SOME of the tarps that I have used on Isle Royale. Note, some of these tarp setups in the photos were quick and hasty set ups in order to get out of the way of an approaching rainstorm. I always would have arranged my tarp differently before staying under it all night. My oddest tarp, is the one that I personally made out of a CLEAR shower curtain--and re-enforced at certain places with duct tape. The goal was to see if I could watch stars and the moon at night and stay under my tarp. (I could do that a little bit--but I also had a VERY bright sleeping place the moment that the sun first came up in the morning--and I had almost no shade from the sun later in the day). So, I "retired" that clear tarp after just one trip. Another interesting tarp setup, was the night I combined my tarp and my rain poncho to turn a picnic table into a multi-level tarp "mansion"--with shelves for my stuff--and a place to get up higher if torrential rains and flooding came through the campsite.
