Campsites at Malone Bay Campground (2026 Guide)

You cannot drive here. There are no ferries that drop you at the dock. The only way to reach Malone Bay Campground is by your own boat, kayak, canoe, or on foot via the Ishpeming Trail, and that reality filters out everyone who isn't serious about getting away. As of 2026, the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a 3-night stay limit from June 1 through Labor Day. Five shelters line the shore of Malone Bay on Isle Royale's south side, where the water depth at the dock runs 3 to 6 feet under normal conditions. If you're looking for the kind of quiet that requires effort to earn, this is where you find it.

Rangers at the park will tell you that Malone Bay is one of the less-visited campgrounds on the island precisely because of its access requirements. Most visitors gravitate toward Rock Harbor or Windigo. Those who make the trip here tend to be repeat Isle Royale visitors who know exactly what they want: solitude, good fishing, and a reliable dock that can handle boats up to roughly the size of a 20-foot cruiser (provided you mind the shallow depth). For a full overview of what to expect across the island, including how to plan a multi-site trip, check our complete visitor guide.

Getting to Malone Bay Campground

The campground sits on the south shore off the Ishpeming Trail, a foot corridor that connects the interior of the island to the coast. Most people arrive by water. The dock is functional but shallow - at normal levels you get 3 to 6 feet, so larger boats need to approach carefully. The ranger station and information station are located just east of the campground. That station is not always staffed, so do not count on getting a permit or advice on arrival. Experienced visitors pick up their free overnight permit at the Houghton visitor center (800 E. Lakeshore Drive) before departing for the island, or at another staffed ranger station earlier in their trip.

The Ishpeming Trail approach is a multi-day hike in itself, depending on where you start. The trail narrows in places and can be wet well into July. Pack extra water for this stretch - reliable sources are not guaranteed along the entire route. Carry a map and know that cell service drops out well before you reach the trailhead, so navigation is on paper and compass only.

Campsite Details and Fees

The campground offers 5 shelters and a total of 7 sites (the shelters count as some of those sites). No reservations are accepted - it is strictly first-come, first-served. The 3-night limit from June 1 through Labor Day is enforced; outside that window (the campground is open April 16 to October 31) the limit may be more flexible, but confirm at the ranger station if it happens to be staffed.

Fees

The $25 group fee is per permit, not per person. If you are a party of 7 or more, you must go through the park's online request system to reserve a group site. There are only 2 group sites at Malone Bay. Most visitors arriving solo or in small groups pay nothing beyond the cost of getting to the island.

Food Storage - A New Rule You Need to Know

The NPS has issued a caution for 2026 regarding food storage. In response to wolves accessing human food and garbage in and around Rock Harbor and campgrounds on the east end of the island, new guidelines are in effect. The specifics are not optional: all food, trash, and scented items must be stored in hard-sided bear canisters or in the food lockers provided at the shelters. Rangers will tell you the wolves are not aggressive, but they are smart, and once they associate humans with easy calories, behavior changes for the worse. Keep a clean camp. Use the lockers. This is not a suggestion.

What to Expect at the Campground

The shelters are basic: wooden floor, roof, three walls, open front. They sleep two to three people comfortably. The sites themselves are spaced apart enough that you are not on top of your neighbor, but in peak season (July-August) expect them to fill by early afternoon. Early morning is your best bet for securing a shelter if you arrive by water - those tend to go first because of the wind protection.

The dock is the central feature. It serves as the primary landing spot for private boats and kayaks. Depth at the dock is shallow, so larger vessels may need to tie off at the end and dinghy in. The information station nearby has maps and posted notices, but it is not a visitor center with merchandise or services.

There is no potable water at the campground. You must treat water from Lake Superior or pack your own. The lake water is cold and clear but should be filtered, boiled, or chemically treated before drinking. Plan on at least a gallon per person per day for drinking and cooking.

Wildlife and Safety

Moose are common along the south shore, especially near the bay. Give them space - a cow with a calf will charge without hesitation. Wolves are present but rarely seen. The new food storage alert exists because wolves have learned to approach campsites where food is left out. That is a problem for both humans and wolves, and the park is serious about stopping it.

Black bears are present on the island, though less frequently encountered on the south shore than around Rock Harbor. Still, bear canisters are recommended. The food lockers at the shelters are sturdy, but if you are tent camping away from the shelters you will need your own canister.

Most visitors underestimate the weather variability. Isle Royale sits in the middle of Lake Superior, and conditions change fast. A calm morning can turn into 30-knot winds by noon. Pack rain gear that actually works, not a cheap poncho. Bring layers, including a warm hat and gloves even in August. Hypothermia is a real risk if you get wet and cold.

Nearby Attractions and Trails

The campground itself is the attraction. That said, the Ishpeming Trail connects to the Greenstone Ridge Trail, the backbone of the island. Day hikes from Malone Bay can take you up to the ridge for views of the surrounding islands and the Canadian shoreline on a clear day. The ranger station has trail information when staffed.

Fishing in Malone Bay is decent for lake trout and whitefish, but check current regulations and pick up a Michigan fishing license if required (the park is in Michigan waters). The dock is a good spot to cast from, but be mindful of boat traffic.

For anyone wanting to explore other parts of the island but stay on the south shore, the Feldtmann Lake Trail is accessible via a longer hike or boat ride west. A full listing of all developed campgrounds on Isle Royale is available on our all campgrounds page.

Practical Takeaways

• Get your free permit in Houghton before departing. The ranger station at Malone Bay is often unstaffed.
• No reservations. Arrive early in the day to claim a site, especially in July and August.
• 3-night limit June 1 through Labor Day. Plan your itinerary accordingly.
• Food must be stored in hard-sided canisters or lockers. The wolf alert is current for 2026 - do not ignore it.
• Carry all drinking water or a reliable treatment system. No potable water on site.
• Dock depth is 3-6 feet. Larger boats need to approach slowly and watch the depth sounder.
• Weather changes fast. Pack for cold, wind, and rain regardless of the forecast.
• Group sites of 7+ require an online reservation and a $25 fee. Small parties camp free.

Final Thoughts

Malone Bay is not for the casual visitor. The effort required to get there ensures that the people you meet tend to be competent, self-sufficient, and respectful of the place. The campground is basic but functional - shelters, a dock, an information station, and not much else. That is the point. The reward is a stretch of Lake Superior shoreline that few people ever see, quiet nights with no generator hum, and the chance to watch a moose feed along the bay at dusk without twenty other people watching too.

The 2026 changes to food storage rules are a reminder that even remote places have management needs. Follow them. They exist because the ecosystem is intact enough that wolves still behave like wolves - and keeping them that way requires you to do your part. Plan well, pack light, and leave the dock cleaner than you found it.