No national park is more suited to kayaking than Isle Royale National Park. With its miles of shoreline and seemingly endless number of bays, inlets, coves and secluded spots, it’s easy to find a quiet spot to paddle free from other visitors. If you’re using a smaller kayak, the inland lakes provide a safe spot free from the sometimes unpredictable waters of Lake Superior. For kayaking in the bays, harbors and coves, a longer and sturdier sea kayak is recommended. Kayaking is only available and safe in the summer and kayaks can be rented at both Rock Harbor and Windigo. If you want to bring your own, be prepared to pay a fee to transport it.

For one of the more stunning views in the park, visit Scoville Point. The Stoll Trail  will lead you into the Scoville Point Trail. There you can go left or right. You’ll end up at Scoville Point either way. Then you can come back on the other side. It is about a 4.5 mile trail that will lead you out to the point where you’ll have amazing views of the seemingly countless islands and Lake Superior. You’ll also see the rocky shoreline and find some of the most picturesque parts of the park. You can pick up the trail about 2 miles from the Rock Harbor Visitor Center.

Although the biggest lure of the park is the wilderness and water, the park is also home to three lighthouses. For the best experience, visit Rock Harbor lighthouse. Built in 1855, the white brick and stone building hasn’t been an active lighthouse for over a hundred years, but it’s still the most picturesque man-made structure in the park. You can take a self-guided tour and take a look at the museum inside. It’s a great place for photos and is near some of the park’s campgrounds. If the lighthouse is out of the way, you can also check out the smaller Menagerie Island Lighthouse or Passage Island Lighthouse.