The Isle Royale store is a popular stop for visitors to this beautiful national park. From camping food to outdoor gear to adult beverages, learn what’s in the stores on Isle Royale, what to expect and what supplies are available on this remote island.
Why Should You Trust Us?
The last time we visited Isle Royale, we spent about a week circumnavigating the entire remote island. As we hiked over hot rock ridges and slogged through flooded beaver dam trails, we kept daydreaming about a yummy snack we’d pick up at the trading posts. Burning about 3,000 calories a day, our minds definitely drifted towards food and thoughts of the general stores kept us motivated to put in the miles!
We visited both the harbors of Windigo and Rock Harbor, filming all of the goodies inside the Isle Royale Stores for the next time we came to visit. Secretly we wished that we had more time so we could enjoy cooking hot dogs over a fire while drinking a cold beverage at camp. Instead, we settled for a bunch of snacks, drinks and cool postcards to bring home before returning back to our 20 mile days. Even in late June some of the shelves were bare in the Isle Royale Stores so we were glad that we had packed all of our own food and supplies for our entire trip.
Isle Royale Overview
Isle Royale National Park is a beautiful and remote US island located in Lake Superior several hours boat ride from the mainland. 99% of the island is north woods wilderness with no roads and narrow, rugged hiking trails with extremely limited resources.
Isle Royale is a nature lover’s paradise with unique wildlife and pristine beauty, making it a top bucket list destination for backpackers and hikers. However, due to its remote nature, you need to pack everything you need for your visit on the ferry or seaplane ride.
Don’t worry if you forget something on the mainland – the Isle Royale store has the essentials you need for your trip.
How Remote is Isle Royale?
Being 20 miles (32 km) from the nearest mainland port, you cannot access the island by car. Instead, you leave your car on the mainland and take a ferry, private boat or seaplane over to Isle Royale. Once on the island, there are no vehicles or bikes allowed so you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Keep in mind, there is no cell service or public wifi on the entire island. Electricity is available to those staying at the hotel, the housekeeping cabins and Windigo camper cabins. Registered guests staying at the Rock Harbor Lodge may also access wifi in the lobby only of the hotel.
Orienting Yourself on Isle Royale
99% of Isle Royale is federal wilderness. This means no roads, no trails, no buildings with electricity or running water.
1% of Isle Royale is ports or harbors where the ferries and seaplanes arrive. These harbors are the closest things to a “town” on Isle Royale.
- Windigo is the main port on the west side of the Isle Royale and closest to Minnesota.
- Rock Harbor is the busier main visitor port on the east side of Isle Royale closest to Michigan.
Check out these 14 Free Isle Royale Maps we collected for planning your next trip to Isle Royale.
Food and Supplies
We’ll go into more detail on what exactly is in the Isle Royale store down below but here’s a general summary of what to expect in each.
Rock Harbor Store:
Situated on the main dock of Rock Harbor, this dockside store services your camping, hiking and boating supply needs. It has groceries, freeze-dried foods, and fishing tackle.
Visitors to Rock Harbor can typically resupply here between late May and mid-September. Because of the nearby restaurants, it tends to have less refrigerated food than Windigo.
Windigo Marina and Store:
On the opposite end of Isle Royale, the Windigo store caters to your basic necessities, also offering a similar variety of shelf-stable groceries, refrigerated sandwiches and outdoor supplies.
They offer hot made-to-order pizza which can hit the spot after a long day of hiking part of the Greenstone Ridge Trail.
What Happens if You Forget Something on the Mainland?
- So, what happens if you forget something on the mainland with the next ferry back not for a whole day?
- What if you get stuck on the island due to bad weather and run out of food?
- Do you have to go full Bear Grylls mode and live off the land?
- Is it like “The Hunger Games,” everyone fighting for the last resources and survival?
Luckily at the main harbors of Rock Harbor on the east and Windigo on the west side of Isle Royale, there are small supply stores that sell camping supplies, first aid, shelf stable food, drinks, limited hot food, some clothing and souvenirs. Let’s check out both.
Isle Royale Store Amenities
First, we’ll walk through in detail the Isle Royale general stores at both Windigo on the west and Rock Harbor on the east side, the main visitor harbors separated by approximately 40 miles (64 km) of trails or a 4-5 hour ferry ride.
General Store Locations on Isle Royale
Windigo General Store Location
The location of the trading post / general store in Windigo is about a 2 minute walk from the Windigo ferry dock. Facing the Windigo sign with the water at your back, the general store is the big building with an outdoor balcony to your left.
Rock Harbor Trading Post Location
The location of the trading post / general store in Rock Harbor is about a 30 second walk from the ferry dock in Rock Harbor. From the ferry with Lake Superior at your back, walk under a building archway towards the big Rock Harbor sign. The Rock Harbor trading post is under the archway to your left. The visitor center is under the archway to the right.
Food Options in the Isle Royale Stores
Keep in mind that both stores might not have exactly the same items but it’s pretty close. The trading post stores contains the following food options:
- camping food – freeze-dried meals, pasta, ramen, oatmeal, Mac-n-cheese, spam, tuna packs, rice dishes
- snacks – granola bars, candy, chips, dried fruit, jerky, trail mix, nuts, chip dips, cookies
- canned/packaged food – canned fruit, peanut butter, canned chili, ramen, refried beans, Vienna sausage
- cooking goods – sugar, salt/pepper, oil, limited seasonings, condiments, creamer, lime/lemon juice
- refrigerated convenience store type items – polish sausage, cheese, pickles, ground beef, onion dip, ham slices, hot dogs, sandwiches, fresh fruit, butter
- nonalcoholic drinks – pop (aka soda), sports drinks, iced tea, milk jugs, iced coffee cans, energy drinks, OJ
- alcoholic drinks – domestic and microbrew beer, wine, seltzers, cider
- ice cream – popsicles, ice cream cones, sandwiches
- hot made-to-order food (Windigo only) – pizza
These are the only stores on the island. Keep in mind they may run out of supplies as the summer season goes on. What was in stock in June may be out of stock in late August or early September.
Outdoor Camping Supplies
The Isle Royale stores have lots of outdoor camping supplies including:
- insect repellent – bug spray, bug head nets
- sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses (+ soft cases, sunglass straps), sun hats, baseball caps
- first aid – basic medications, hand sanitizer, calamine lotion
- hygiene – toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, menstrual products, condoms, shaving cream, razors, diapers, tweezers
- limited camping gear – whistles, camping utensils, clips, water bladders, water hose accessories, water bottles
- camping clothing – wool socks, gloves, beanies,
- batteries
- laundry – laundry soap, dryer sheets
- shower – hairbrush, soap, shampoo, rental towels
- campfire – lighter fluid, marshmallows, matches
- camp stove fuel – isobutane fuel canisters (usually 8 oz sizes), white gas
Kitchen Supplies in the Isle Royale Stores
If you’ll be camping or staying in one of the cabins in Windigo or Rock Harbor, the stores have lots of kitchen supplies including:
- bags of ice
- dry goods – toilet paper, plastic plates and bowls, trash bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap
- utensils – can openers, wine openers, bottle opener, cooking spoons, plastic cutlery,
- grilling utensils – at Windigo for the grills at the Windigo Camper Cabins
Souvenirs
Finally, both stores have a ton of Isle Royale souvenirs ranging from:
- swag – patches, pins, stickers, magnets, wine toppers, keychains, bottle openers
- apparel – sweatshirts, tank tops, longsleeve shirts, t-shirts, neck gaiters,
- hats – full sun hats, baseball caps
- toys – board games, puzzles, stuffed animals, cards
- decorative art – posters, postcards, photographs, maps, handcrafted items
- kitchenware – mugs, glasses
- books – fiction, non-fiction
- blankets
Boating and Fishing Supplies
The stores also sell boating supplies such as:
- fishing tackle
- bagged ice for coolers
- boating accessories
- Michigan fishing licenses
- sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses (+ soft cases, sunglass straps), sun hats, baseball caps
Michigan fishing licenses are needed to fish in Lake Superior. Fishing licenses are not required to fish at the interior lakes of Isle Royale.
If you catch fish on the Rock Harbor side, the Lighthouse Restaurant will clean and cook your catch for you to eat! Or you can have them clean the fish, package and freeze it for you to take back to the mainland.
Do They Sell Camping Fuel at the Isle Royale Store?
Yes, they sell camping fuel at the Isle Royale Store. In fact, you can buy fuel on Isle Royale for both camping stoves and boat fuel.
Isobutane camping stove fuel canisters and white gas are available to purchase in both trading post stores in Windigo and Rock Harbor. Bring your own container for the white gas fuel.
Boat gas pumps for private motor boats are located near the ferry docks at Windigo and Rock Harbor.
Isle Royale store fuel includes:
- camping stove fuel – Isobutane fuel canisters, white gas sold in bulk, bring your own container
- boat fuel – gas pumps (by docks)
Pro Tip: Before you buy your camping stove fuel, check outside the store or near the seaplane dock for the box of “left behind” fuel canisters. Seaplane travelers are prohibited by the TSA from flying with fuel so you can often find full or partially full canisters of fuel for free, left behind by visitors.
Dietary Restriction Food Options in the Isle Royale Stores
There are some vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc. dietary restriction shelf-stable food in the trading post stores but the selection is limited. Make sure to pack enough food for your entire trip, especially if you have a dietary restriction or preference. You might end up having to eat banana chips and Fritos if you forget!
Both restaurants in Rock Harbor also offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options such as gluten-free buns. Windigo made-to-order food is very limited for dietary restrictions.
Pro Tip: Always pack an extra day of food in case the weather turns bad and the ferry or seaplane can’t make the Lake Superior crossing.
Isle Royale Store Operating Hours
Isle Royale stores are open 8am-5pm EDT daily from June 4 to September 16. However, when we visited in late June, the stores were often open late until 8pm.
Outside of this time, the Isle Royale Stores operate on a reduced schedule. In April the stores are still closed as the only staff on the island is typically maintenance employees. Contact the park for the general store hours schedule in May, early June and late September.
So What Else is Actually On Isle Royale for Amenities?
The entire main island and its 400+ barrier islands are public land owned by the US Government. There are only a half a dozen or so remaining private residences running out their life lease agreements from the 1940s and 1950s. You cannot buy private land on Isle Royale and the only hotel, cabin and campsite accommodations are owned by the National Park Service.
The limited lodging, restaurants, and cabins are operated by National Park Service concessioners like Aramark who are required to keep pricing reasonable. Both Rock Harbor and Windigo have small retail general stores, potable water faucets, laundry facilities and coin-operated showers.
Isle Royale’s accommodations and amenities reflect the park’s beliefs of minimal human impact:
- 35 campgrounds with pit toilets and backcountry water sources
- Limited lodging facilities
- No roads
- No cars
- 2 General stores
- 2 Restaurants
- No public wifi, no cell service
- Public bathrooms, laundry, showers, picnic areas, potable water faucets
- Visitor centers
Planning a trip to Isle Royale? It’s different from other National Parks due to its limited amenities. Check out the Complete List of Isle Royale Amenities here.
Summary of Isle Royale Stores
So there you have it! Remember, Isle Royale is very remote and so pack everything that you need for your entire journey. Our advice is to not rely on the stores to have everything in stock, especially if it’s later in the season.
However, even if you forget something on the mainland, you may be pleasantly surprised that the stores in Windigo and Rock Harbor have what you need.
Have a great adventure, be prepared and Happy Trailcations y’all!
Other Helpful Articles
- Best Time to Visit Isle Royale
- Isle Royale Amenities
- Isle Royale Packing List
- Visiting Isle Royale as a Day Trip
- How to Get to Isle Royale
- How to Plan a Trip to Isle Royale
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I purchase at the Isle Royale gift shop?
At the Isle Royale gift shop, we can find a variety of souvenirs such as clothing, books, postcards, games and handcrafted local items that reflect the unique nature of the park.
What are the operating hours for stores on Isle Royale?
The operating hours for stores on Isle Royale typically adhere to the season and visitor demand. It’s best to check the current year’s visitor guide The Greenstone Newspaper for the most accurate times. Typically during peak season they are open from 8am to 5pm EDT or later such as 8am to 8pm.
Are there provisions for overnight stays at Isle Royale cabins?
Yes, there are provisions for overnight stays including basic groceries and camping supplies at the stores near Isle Royale cabins to support your stay. However, don’t rely on the store to purchase all of your provisions. The store can run out of supplies if a storm prevents the supply boat or if it’s later in the summer.
Are there any buildings on Isle Royale?
Yes, there are a few buildings on Isle Royale but only in the Windigo and Rock Harbor areas. There some administrative buildings and historical buildings on the barrier islands. 99% of Isle Royale is a federal wilderness so the majority of the island is backcountry wild crisscrossed by trails and lakes.
What items are recommended to buy before fishing at Isle Royale?
Before fishing at Isle Royale, it’s recommended to purchase fishing rods, nets, tackle, bait, a cooler, sun protection clothing and a fishing license. The island’s general stores carry limited tackle, bagged ice for coolers and Michigan fishing licenses for Lake Superior fishing.
Can visitors buy souvenirs from any specific spots in Rock Harbor on Isle Royale?
Visitors can buy various souvenirs, including locally made crafts and Isle Royale memorabilia, at specific spots like the Rock Harbor Trading Post and nearby Visitor Center.