Fees · Destination Guide
Isle Royale
Cold-water shipwrecks, remote wilderness and Lake Superior history
Key fee: Isle Royale daily entrance fee
USD $7 per person per calendar day
Fees · Destination Guide
Cold-water shipwrecks, remote wilderness and Lake Superior history
Key fee: Isle Royale daily entrance fee
USD $7 per person per calendar day
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Isle Royale charges an entrance fee rather than a separate marketed marine-park tag. NPS fees list USD $7 per adult (age 16+) per calendar day or a USD $60 season pass, with cashless payments for NPS entrance fees. Each scuba diver must register and hold a dive permit, and additional overnight permits apply for camping or boating. No independent public dollar fee for the scuba permit was established by the park scuba page. Charter, ferry, seaplane and lodge prices are separate and should not be guessed from archived calendars.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isle Royale daily entrance fee | USD $7 per person per calendar day Each calendar day in the park, including arrival and departure; children 15 and younger exempt | Visitors age 16 and older without a qualifying park/federal pass | NPS fee portal or NPS visitor centers; credit/debit payments, no cash for NPS entrance fee | Fee and age exemption per NPS Fees & Passes. No additional dive-specific park admission tag verified. |
| Isle Royale season pass | USD $60 April 16 through October 31 in the year issued | Repeat Isle Royale visitors using the park season pass instead of daily charges | National Park Service entrance-pass channels | Confirm the number of covered adults and any eligibility requirements on the current NPS fee page; applicable federal recreation passes may also count. |
| Individual NPS scuba permit and registration | Separate permit fee not published on cited scuba page For the registered dive visit and permitted dives; return completed permit after trip | Every scuba diver in Isle Royale National Park waters | Register in person at Rock Harbor, Windigo or Houghton Visitor Center; confirm hours before arrival | Required by NPS scuba instructions and 36 CFR regulations discussed in the Compendium. The separate fee is unverified, not assumed to be free. |
| Small-party or boater overnight permit | USD $0 additional permit fee (entrance fee still applies) Registered overnight stay; campsite selection remains subject to first-come availability and limits | Small parties of 1-6 overnighting in campgrounds, or boaters staying overnight at permitted docks/anchorages | NPS park visitor permitting on arrival or prescribed boating process | Free overnight permit is still mandatory according to NPS camping rules. A charter captain must confirm the applicable vessel/party permit arrangements. |
| Group camping reservation permit | USD $25 per permit Approved group itinerary, advance reservation required | Camping parties/groups of seven or more travelers | NPS group camping reservation process | NPS campground rules establish advance reservation and fee. This is not a per-diver scuba fee; larger groups have additional itinerary restrictions. |
| Seasonal commercial transport and lodging | Variable; no verified universal price Applies to purchased, dated service only | Travelers using paid transport, hotel, boat, cabin or diving service | Respective ferry, seaplane, concession or approved charter provider | Public passenger ferries, commercial dive charters and on-island lodges are separate products. No future charter fare or availability is confirmed by the stale public charter calendar. |
Fee
Each calendar day in the park, including arrival and departure; children 15 and younger exempt
Fee and age exemption per NPS Fees & Passes. No additional dive-specific park admission tag verified.
April 16 through October 31 in the year issued
Confirm the number of covered adults and any eligibility requirements on the current NPS fee page; applicable federal recreation passes may also count.
For the registered dive visit and permitted dives; return completed permit after trip
Required by NPS scuba instructions and 36 CFR regulations discussed in the Compendium. The separate fee is unverified, not assumed to be free.
Registered overnight stay; campsite selection remains subject to first-come availability and limits
Free overnight permit is still mandatory according to NPS camping rules. A charter captain must confirm the applicable vessel/party permit arrangements.
Approved group itinerary, advance reservation required
NPS campground rules establish advance reservation and fee. This is not a per-diver scuba fee; larger groups have additional itinerary restrictions.
Applies to purchased, dated service only
Public passenger ferries, commercial dive charters and on-island lodges are separate products. No future charter fare or availability is confirmed by the stale public charter calendar.