What makes a backcountry campsite worth the effort of two portages? At Intermediate Lake Campground, the answer involves quiet waters, reliable tent pads, and a location that sits at the junction of several solid day-hiking routes. For canoeists and kayakers working through Isle Royale's interior lake chain, this three-site campground functions as a logical overnight stop. But the details matter - and some of them will surprise first-time visitors.
For more, see complete visitor guide, all campgrounds, hiking trails, lodging and accommodations, Campsites at Birch Island Campground (2026 Guide) (2026 guide), Campsites at Chippewa Harbor Campground (2026 Guide), Campsites at Duncan Bay Campground (2026 Guide) (2026 guide), Campsites at East Chickenbone Campground (2026 Guide), Campsites at Feldtmann Lake Campground (2026 Guide), and Campsites at Grace Island Campground (2026 Guide) (2026 guide).Location & Access: Getting to Intermediate Lake
Intermediate Lake Campground sits on the shoreline of Intermediate Lake, a small inland body of water that lives up to its name. It lies between Lake Richie and Siskiwit Lake, connected by short portages that define the character of this place.
You can reach Intermediate Lake via a 0.6-mile portage from Lake Richie or a 0.4-mile portage from Siskiwit Lake. Neither portage is technically difficult, but both involve rocks and roots underfoot. Pack your gear in manageable loads if you plan to make multiple trips. The portage from Lake Richie connects to the Indian Portage Trail system, which links several interior lakes and campgrounds.
This campground is canoe and kayak access only. No private boats can reach Intermediate Lake. That restriction keeps the use numbers low and the experience quiet. Paddlers coming from the Rock Harbor side typically work through Lake Richie first, then portage over. Those approaching from the west might come through Siskiwit Lake.
Rangers will tell you that the most common mistake visitors make is underestimating the time needed for the portages. The distances look short on a map, but loaded canoes, awkward packs, and wet footing add minutes. Plan an hour for the portage from Lake Richie, twenty minutes for the shorter one from Siskiwit Lake.
Campsite Details & Reservations
What you'll find at the sites
Three tent-only sites are available here, and they are first-come, first-served. No reservations are accepted. As of 2026, no fee is charged for small-party camping of six people or less, though you must obtain a free overnight permit before starting your trip. Permits are issued at the visitor centers in Rock Harbor and Windigo, or at the Houghton visitor center before you depart the mainland.
The sites are spread along the shoreline. Each has a tent pad, a fire grate (fire rings are present but firewood is scarce - pack a camp stove), and a pit toilet nearby. The shelters? None. At intermediate lake campground, you sleep in your tent. The terrain is mostly level, with good drainage on the established pads.
Stay limit and season
The stay limit is two nights, effective June 1 through Labor Day annually. Outside that window, longer stays may be allowed, but the park operating season for the campground runs from April 16 to October 31. Given the remote location and the weather on Lake Superior, most visitors aim for late June through August. Early-season trips (May to mid-June) risk cold rains and lingering snowmelt. September offers stable weather and fewer mosquitoes.
The reservation system reality
Because this is first-come, first-served, there is no way to guarantee a spot in advance. The three sites fill during peak summer weeks, especially on weekends. Your best strategy: launch early in the day, arrive at the campsite by early afternoon, and have a backup plan. The nearby Lake Richie Canoe Campground has six sites and provides a reasonable alternative if Intermediate Lake is full.
Food Storage Rules
An active park alert (current as of 2026) addresses new food storage guidelines aimed at reducing human-wildlife interactions. After wolves accessed human food and garbage near Rock Harbor and east-end campgrounds, the park updated its policies. All food, garbage, and scented items must be stored in bear-resistant containers or hung properly. At intermediate lake campground, there are no food lockers. You must bring your own bear canister or use a bear bag hang. The park recommends approved bear canisters for all interior campsites.
Activities & Nearby Trails
While the campground itself is small, the surrounding trail network offers options for day hikes and onward travel.
Hiking connections
Intermediate Lake is close to several trail sections. The Harbor to Hills Section 5 trail runs from Lake Richie to West Chickenbone Lake, about 3.6 miles. It passes near the Intermediate Lake area, though the trail doesn't directly follow the shoreline. The Greenstone Section 4 trail from Chickenbone Lake to Hatchet Lake is about 7.2 miles and offers ridgeline views. Most visitors using this campground are paddlers, but you can also hike out from Intermediate Lake to the Greenstone Ridge Trail via the Indian Portage Trail.
Paddling routes
From Intermediate Lake, you have two directions. Heading east, you portage back into Lake Richie and then connect to Moskey Basin and Rock Harbor. Heading west, you portage into Siskiwit Lake and from there can reach the Feldtmann Lake area or continue toward Windigo. The portage from Siskiwit Lake is shorter (0.4 miles) but the lake itself can be windy; watch for afternoon chop.
Nearby points of interest
The Greenstone Ridge Trailhead at Hidden Lake and the Minong Ridge Trailhead at McCargoe Cove are within a day's paddle or hike, depending on your pace. For more details on planning your full itinerary, check the complete visitor guide for the park.
Practical Takeaways
- Pack a bear canister. No food storage infrastructure exists at this campground. Park regulations require all food and scented items to be stored in an approved container.
- Bring a camp stove. Firewood is not available on site and collecting dead wood is prohibited in many areas. A stove is more reliable and faster anyway.
- Plan for portages. The two portages are short but rough. Waterproof your gear and use a pack that balances well on your shoulders. A canoe cart won't work on these trails.
- Carry a map and compass. Cell service drops out at the Houghton visitor center and never returns. Trails are marked but some junctions are confusing. A topographic map of the Isle Royale interior is essential.
- Arrive early. First-come, first-served means the three sites can fill by 2 PM in July. Aim to be set up by early afternoon.
- Know the stay limit. Two nights max from June 1 through Labor Day. That's enough time to explore Intermediate Lake and one nearby portage hike.
- Respect the food storage alert. Wolves have learned to associate humans with food. Every camper's compliance matters.
Final Thoughts
Intermediate Lake Campground isn't the flashiest campsite on Isle Royale. It lacks lakefront shelters, dock access, and the crowds of Rock Harbor. What it offers is a quiet, functional base camp for paddlers working through the interior chain. The three sites force a certain discipline - you plan ahead, you pack efficiently, and you accept that solitude comes with logistical trade-offs.
For paddlers who want to escape the ferry route and spend a few days on interior lakes, this campground delivers exactly what the name suggests: an intermediate stop that connects bigger water and bigger trails. Just bring your own food storage, a reliable stove, and a backup site in mind. On an island where weather changes plans faster than you can, that last piece of advice might be the most important one.
For a full list of camping options across the park, see the guide to all campgrounds on Isle Royale.