Campsites at Little Todd Campground (2026 Guide)

Little Todd Campground sits on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, accessible only by foot, canoe, or kayak. No boat docks here. No road delivers you to a parking spot. The four tent sites fill on a first-come, first-served basis, and if you're planning a trip in 2026, you need to understand exactly what you're signing up for before you haul gear across the island.

This guide covers the practical details that rangers wish every visitor knew before booking their backcountry itinerary. For a broader overview of everything the park offers, see our complete visitor guide.

The Lay of the Land

Little Todd Campground is located off the Minong Ridge Trail, about midway along the north shore. It's one of the more remote campgrounds on Isle Royale, and that remoteness is the whole point. You won't hear boat engines. You won't see the lights of Rock Harbor. What you will hear is Lake Superior working the shoreline and, on still nights, the quiet that makes most people from the mainland uncomfortable for the first hour.

The campground itself consists of four tent-only sites. No RV hookups. No drive-up access. No running water beyond what you filter from the lake. The park service keeps the sites cleared and maintains basic pit toilets, but that's the extent of the amenities. If you've never camped in a place where every ounce came in on your back, this isn't the campground to start with.

Access Only by Foot or Paddle

The research data makes this clear: "No boat access." That means no private watercraft can tie up at this campground. You can arrive by canoe or kayak, but you'll need to land on the beach and carry your boat above the high-water mark. The other option is hiking in via the Minong Ridge Trail, which is not a casual walk. Expect rugged terrain, exposed ridgelines, and sections where the trail narrows enough to make you appreciate trekking poles.

Most first-time visitors underestimate the hike to Little Todd from either direction. From the west, it's a long day from the Windigo area. From the east, it's even longer from Rock Harbor. Plan your route carefully, and don't assume you can cover ground as fast as the trail guide suggests.

Fees, Permits, and Stay Limits

Here's where Little Todd Campground differs from many frontcountry campgrounds: small-party camping (six people or less) costs exactly nothing. Zero. As of 2026, the entrance fee is $0.00. But - and this is important - you still need a free overnight permit.

Rangers at the visitor center will tell you that the permit process is straightforward but mandatory. You pick it up at the park visitor centers in Houghton or Grand Portage, or at the ranger stations on the island. Do not skip this step. The permit serves as your itinerary, and the park uses it to track where people are camping. If you show up at Little Todd without one, they won't turn you away - but you'll be having a conversation with a ranger.

Stay Limit: Two Nights

From June 1 through Labor Day annually, the stay limit at Little Todd is two nights. That's firm. Outside that window, you can stay longer, but the operating season is already short. The campground is open from April 16 through October 31 each year, 24 hours a day. The rest of the year, from November 1 through April 15, the entire park closes. No access. No exceptions.

What the park website doesn't mention: those two-night limits can feel tight if you're trying to use Little Todd as a base for exploring the north shore. You'll need to plan your route so you're moving through on schedule, not stopping for multiple days.

Campground Details and What to Expect

The four sites at Little Todd are tent-only, spaced far enough apart that you don't hear your neighbors' conversations but close enough that you'll see their campfire glow. Each site has a designated tent pad - usually a level area packed down over years of use - and a fire ring. The park service provides a food storage cable or pole at each site, but that brings up an important point.

Food Storage: This Is Serious

A current NPS alert is in effect: New Food Storage Guidelines to Reduce Human-Wildlife Interactions. In response to wolves accessing human food and garbage around Rock Harbor and the east end of the island, the park has updated its rules for the entire park - including Little Todd. As of 2026, you must follow these guidelines strictly.

The specific requirements are posted at the campground and at every ranger station. Generally, you'll need to store all food, trash, and scented items in the provided storage containers or hang them properly. The wolves on Isle Royale are not the skittish creatures you might imagine. They've learned that campers sometimes leave things out, and they will investigate. Rangers will tell you that a fed wolf is a dead wolf - it's not hyperbole. Keep your site clean, store everything before dark, and don't cook near your tent.

Water and Sanitation

Lake Superior provides your water source. Treat it. Filter, boil, or use chemical tablets. The water looks clean but can contain giardia and other pathogens. The pit toilets are maintained during the operating season, but they're vault toilets - bring your own hand sanitizer and toilet paper as backup.

Cell service drops out completely once you leave the main developed areas of Isle Royale. At Little Todd, expect zero bars. The ranger stations have emergency radios, but you won't have any way to call out from the campground itself. Plan accordingly and leave your itinerary with someone on the mainland.

What to Pack for Little Todd

This isn't a car campground. Everything you bring, you carry. Every extra pound shows up in your legs by mile six. Experienced visitors know to keep their pack weight under 35 pounds for a trip that includes Little Todd, and that includes food and water treatment gear.

Gear Checklist Specifics

• Tent: Four-season rated if you're going in spring or fall. Nighttime temperatures can drop into the 40s even in August.
• Sleep system: A sleeping bag rated to 30°F minimum. Lake Superior generates cold air that settles into the shoreline campsites.
• Stove: Campfires are allowed in the designated rings, but firewood availability is unreliable. Bring a backpacking stove for cooking.
• Water filter: A reliable pump or gravity filter. The Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn BeFree are common choices among regulars.
• Bear canister: The park provides storage cables, but many visitors prefer a hard-sided canister for peace of mind. The new food storage guidelines make this a smart choice even though the cables are there.

Practical Takeaways

1. Reservations are not accepted. Little Todd is first-come, first-served. If you're hiking from the other side of the island, you won't know if a site is open until you arrive. Have a backup plan.

1. The season is short. The campground operates only from April 16 to October 31. Inside that window, the two-night limit applies June 1 through Labor Day. Plan your dates carefully.

1. No boat access means you're committing to a hike or paddle. Don't show up expecting a dock. Land your canoe on the beach and carry it above the waterline.

1. The food storage alert is not optional. The wolves have learned bad habits. You are required to follow the new guidelines. If you're unsure what that means, ask at the ranger station before you head out.

1. Carry your permit. It's free, but it's required. No permit means a conversation with a ranger that you'd rather not have at the end of a long day on the trail.

For a complete listing of all campgrounds on the island, including which ones allow boat access and which require hiking, visit our page on all campgrounds.

Final Thoughts

Little Todd Campground rewards the kind of visitor who values solitude over convenience. The four sites rarely fill to capacity because the effort required to reach them filters out the casual crowd. The north shore of Isle Royale is different from the more frequented south side - wilder, less traveled, and more exposed to the weather coming off the lake.

If you go, respect the food storage rules. Pack smart. Give yourself enough time to hike the Minong Ridge Trail without rushing. The views from the ridgeline overlooking the campground will remind you why you carried all that weight. The sound of Lake Superior at night will do the rest.