THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Isle Royale National Park will accept applications for one-year Commercial Use Authorization for the 2027 operating season from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is closing some tent and group campsites due to continued wolf activity. Starting August 28 and continuing until the park closes on October 31, tent and group campsites and hammock use will be prohibited at Three Mile, Daisy Farm, Moskey Basin and Caribou Island.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park and Kaleidoscope invite families with children age 15 or younger to enjoy a free cruise on the Keweenaw waterway on Aug. 20, during Ranger III Family Day.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park closed Duncan Narrows Campground for the second time this month following increased wolf activity at campsites due to improperly stored food. The closure runs from July 13 to July 31, with the possibility of an extension if necessary.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is temporarily closing individual tent and group campsites and prohibiting tent and hammock use at Three Mile Campground for the safety of our visitors. Off-trail camping zones surrounding Three Mile Campground will also be closed. The shelters at the campground will remain open. The closure begins on July 9 and continues through July 31.
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Join Isle Royale National Park aboard RANGER III for a summer 2026 Keweenaw Waterway Cruise.
Official NPS source
To implement the most effective methods of keeping wildlife safe from human food/food waste, and humans safe from wildlife, Isle Royale park managers continue to evaluate and improve food storage regulations. Updated regulations went into effect April 16, 2026.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is proud to announce the chosen summer 2026 artists for its artist-in-residence programs.
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Isle Royale National Park will expand its Artist-in-Residence programs in coordination with America 250 celebrations for summer 2026. The three programs offered will include: Established Artist-in-Residence Program (started 1991), Teen Artist Exploration (started 2016), and Emerging Artist Experience (new for 2026). Applications for these programs will be accepted between January 2 and February 16, 2026.
Official NPS sourceBeginning November 1, 2025, commercial operators offering guided water-based tours, including charter fishing, charter sightseeing, charter transportation, charter scuba diving, and guided kayaking, can apply for a two-year CUA through the updated online CUA portal.
Official NPS sourceIn August, Isle Royale NP took lethal measures to control a problem wolf due to the escalating number of concerning incidents reported by park visitors. After extensive monitoring and attempts at deterrence, and in consultation with state, federal and tribal agencies, the difficult decision to lethally remove this wolf was made. Park personnel will continue to track wolf/human interactions and remove additional wolves only if necessary.
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On August 21, 2025, join Isle Royale National Park and Kaleidoscope for Ranger III Family Day. Families with children 15 or younger may reserve space aboard one of two, 45-minute scheduled waterway cruises. Ranger III will travel into Portage Lake and back during the trip.
Official NPS sourceThis summer, Isle Royale National Park is partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct a creel survey of the Isle Royale-Lake Superior fishery.
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Early Saturday morning, June 14, at approximately 12:30 am, the 25-foot National Park Service (NPS) Vessel Peregrine ran aground on the break wall at the north end of the Keweenaw Upper Entrance in Hancock, Michigan.
Official NPS sourceTwo deceased individuals were found on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at South Lake Desor Campground, located at Isle Royale National Park. Both individuals have been identified, and their next of kin have been notified. There is no known threat to the public at this time.
Official NPS sourceOn June 8, 2025, park rangers at Isle Royale National Park located two deceased campers at a remote backcountry campground. The incident is currently under investigation.
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Starting April 16, 2025, Isle Royale National Park requires all overnight visitors to use approved animal-resistant containers for food and scented items. Food storage lockers will be installed at campgrounds throughout the season. These regulations aim to protect wildlife and visitor safety.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is proud to announce the summer 2025 artists-in-residence.
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On February 15, 2025, celebrate 85 years of Isle Royale National Park through music and art at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. In partnership with Michigan Technological University (MTU), Rozsa Art Galleries, and the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, this event highlights how the power of place inspires music and art that resonates within the human spirit.
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Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2025 Teen Artist Exploration will be accepted between January 2 and February 16, 2025. This artistic discovery is geared to all aspiring teen artists who want to develop their art through experiencing wilderness. It is open to all visual and performing artists, writers, and composers ages 13 to 18 at time of summer participation.
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The Isle Royale Artist-in-Residence Program offers writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to capture the moods and magic of Isle Royale through artistic expression. Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2025 Artist-in-Residence Program will be accepted January 2 through February 16, 2025. Each 2 - 3 week residency provides artists the opportunity to become part of a long-established tradition of interpreting national parks through art.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is pleased to announce the opening of the Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) application period for the 2025 and 2026 Seasons. Beginning November 1, 2024, commercial operators offering guided land-based tours, including backcountry trips, day hikes, and educational/photography workshops, can apply for a two-year CUA through our updated online CUA portal.
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In celebration of September National Wilderness Month, Isle Royale National Park invites you to explore the Isle Royale Wilderness Adventure, a new online experience for kids on www.nps.gov/isro.
Official NPS sourceOn Monday, August 12, a female backpacker died while hiking near Lake LeSage at Isle Royale National Park after she experienced a sudden onset of medical complications.
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On August 23, 2024, join Isle Royale National Park and Kaleidoscope for RANGER III Family Day. Families may reserve space aboard one of two free, hour-long scheduled waterway cruises. As space is limited, even though there is no cost for the cruise, reservations are required.
Official NPS sourceA Notice of Availability for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Wilderness Stewardship Plan at Isle Royale National Park is now available. The Wilderness Act of 1964 requires wilderness to be managed in a way that preserves its character. In keeping with the law, the Wilderness Stewardship Plan and EIS identify three options, or alternatives, the park could take to manage wilderness areas.
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Isle Royale National Park, with support from NOAA's Marine Debris Program, has opened a new exhibit on June 3, 2024, in the Rock Harbor Auditorium, highlighting the impact of marine debris on the park and Lake Superior. The exhibit, curated and designed by eco-artist Mariah Reading with contributions from Adrienne Wallner and David Mainero, aims to educate visitors through art and interactive installations.
Official NPS sourceOn Thursday, July 25, 2024, a SCUBA diving fatality occurred in Lake Superior waters of Isle Royale National Park.
Official NPS sourceIn response to wolves accessing human food and garbage in and around Rock Harbor and campgrounds located on the east end of the island, Isle Royale National Park is implementing new food storage guidelines to ensure the safety of visitors and wildlife. Campgrounds currently affected are Rock Harbor, Three Mile, Lane Cove, Daisy Farm, Moskey Basin, Duncan Bay, Duncan Narrows, and Merritt Lane. The park compendium provides park-specific regulations and will be updated and available online the week of July 15. Visitors are reminded that feeding wildlife is prohibited.
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On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the flag of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa was flown high for the first time in Rock Harbor.
Official NPS sourceJoin Isle Royale National Park aboard RANGER III for two summer 2024 Keweenaw Waterway Cruises. Scheduled cruises will depart at 12:30 pm on Thursday, July 11 and Thursday, July 25.
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The U.S. Attorney's Office of Western Michigan has filed federal charges against three Michigan men for the 2022 Mount Franklin Fire at Isle Royale National Park.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is proud to announce the summer 2024 artists-in-residence.
Official NPS sourceFrom the unique ecosystem of Isle Royale to the historic lighthouses of the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior’s five national parks boast natural and cultural resources cherished by generations. Starting in 2023, the parks began modeling how to reduce carbon emissions through net-zero strategies.
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Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2024 Teen Artist Exploration will be accepted between January 2 and February 16, 2024. This artistic discovery is geared to all aspiring teen artists who want to develop their art through experiencing wilderness. It is open to all visual and performing artists, writers, and composers ages 13 to 18 at time of summer participation.
Official NPS source
The Isle Royale Artist-in-Residence Program offers writers, composers, and visual and performing artists the opportunity to capture the moods and magic of Isle Royale through artistic expression. Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2024 Artist-in-Residence Program will be accepted January 2 through February 16, 2024. Each 2 - 3 week residency provides artists the opportunity to become part of a long-established tradition of interpreting national parks through art.
Official NPS sourceAs part of a larger effort to streamline and modernize the National Park Service (NPS) Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Program, Isle Royale National Park is launching an online system to process CUA applications and collect required CUA reports.
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On August 17, 2023, returning once again to celebrate summer in the Keweenaw, join Isle Royale National Park and the Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association for RANGER III Family Day. Families may reserve space aboard one of two free, hour-long scheduled waterway cruises. As space is limited, even though there is no cost for the cruise, reservations are required.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service announces an Environmental Impact Statement for a Wilderness Stewardship Plan at Isle Royale National Park. With this announcement, the National Park Service introduces a broad range of actions for managing wilderness and cultural resources within wilderness inside the park boundary, as well as preliminary issues and potential impacts associated with wilderness management.
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Join Isle Royale National Park aboard Ranger III for two summer 2023 Keweenaw Waterway Cruises. Scheduled cruises will depart at 12:30 pm on Thursday, July 6 and Thursday, July 20.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is proud to announce the summer 2023 artists-in-residence.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is accepting Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) applications for the 2023 commercial operating season until May 15, 2023.
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The National Park Service announces the release of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Isle Royale National Park Cultural Resource Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (CRMP/EA). The plan provides a long-term comprehensive strategy for managing the non-wilderness cultural resources of the park.
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Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2023 Teen Artist Exploration will be accepted between January 2 and February 16, 2023. This artistic discovery is geared to all aspiring teen artists who want to develop their art through experiencing wilderness, and is open to all visual and performing artists, writers, and composers ages 13 to 18 at time of participation.
Official NPS sourceRANGER III, the National Park Service’s ferry to and from Isle Royale, has been sailing under the same fare structure since 2018. Isle Royale National Park has updated Ranger III passenger and freight fares for 2023 after receiving public comments. Thank you to all who commented on the proposed fare changes.
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The Artist-in-Residence Program offers writers, composers, and all visual and performing artists the opportunity to capture the moods and magic of Isle Royale through their particular art form. Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2023 Artist-in-Residence Program will be accepted January 2 through February 16, 2023.
Official NPS sourceRANGER III, the National Park Service’s ferry to and from Isle Royale, has been sailing under the same fare structure since 2018. Isle Royale National Park is proposing to update the RANGER III passenger and freight fares for 2023 and encourages the public to comment on these proposed changes before a final decision is made. The comment period is open until November 25, 2022.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service announces a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Wilderness Stewardship Plan at Isle Royale National Park. With this announcement, the National Park Service introduces a broad range of actions for managing wilderness and cultural resources within wilderness inside the park boundary, as well as preliminary issues and potential impacts associated with wilderness management.
Official NPS source
Over the past two days, favorable weather conditions slowed the spread of the Mt. Franklin Fire, allowing firefighters to lay hose line around the fire’s perimeter. While significant progress suppressing the fire has occurred, the fire is not yet considered contained. The current fire acreage is estimated at 6.0 acres, reduced from initial estimates of 11 acres. Initial estimates are based on first-responder reports and are often adjusted as firefighters respond. There are currently minimal impacts to visitors with the exception of closures, and fire managers expect that to continue over the next few days.
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Early in the afternoon on Saturday, August 13, park staff received reports of a plume of smoke coming from an apparent wildfire burning in the area of Three Mile campground. Isle Royale firefighters responded to the area and discovered a small fire burning at the junction of the Tobin Harbor trail and Mt. Franklin trail.
Official NPS sourceOn August 18, 2022, returning once again to celebrate summer in the Keweenaw, join Isle Royale National Park and the Portage Lake District Library (PLDL) for RANGER III Family Day. Families may reserve space aboard one of two free, hour-long scheduled waterway cruises. As space is limited, even though there is no cost for the cruise, reservations are required. RANGER III will travel into Portage Lake and back during the trip. To make the required reservations, go online to the PLDL RANGER III Family Day Request Form. Reservations will only be accepted through Tuesday, August 16.
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Join Isle Royale National Park aboard Ranger III for two summer 2022 Keweenaw Waterway Cruises. Scheduled cruises will depart at 12:30 pm on Thursday, July 7, 2022 and Thursday, July 21, 2022.
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Isle Royale National Park is proud to announce the summer 2022 artists-in-residence. This year’s selections include: •Nathan Cornelius (Philadelphia, PA, music composition) •Elizabeth Rose (Springfield, IL, print media) •Lisa Truax (Winona, MN, ceramics) •Tracy Zeman (Birmingham, MI, writing)
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Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2022 Teen Artist Exploration will be accepted between January 2 and February 16, 2022. This artistic discovery is geared to all aspiring teen artists who want to develop their art through experiencing wilderness, and is open to all visual and performing artists, writers, and composers ages 13 to 18 at time of participation.
Official NPS source
Applications for Isle Royale National Park's 2022 Artist-in-Residence Program will be accepted between January 2 and February 16, 2022. Each 2 - 3 week residency provides artists the opportunity to become part of a long-established tradition of interpreting national parks through art.
Official NPS source
Park rangers closing Isle Royale in late October took one last look at the Horne Fire before heading back to Houghton for the winter.
Official NPS sourceScientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service partnered on a first-of-its-kind, nationwide harmful algal bloom, or HAB, field study that began this summer and will continue over the next two years.
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The Grand Portage Honor Guard stands attention next to the Grand Portage Tribal flag and the United States of America flag.
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Work continues on the approximately 200-acre Horne Fire, which ignited on August 10 near the Duncan Bay/Tobin Harbor Portage Trail on Isle Royale National Park. The cause of ignition is suspected to be lightning. The fire is now 15% contained.
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Initial results are in from collaborative efforts to restore the wolf population and predator-prey dynamics on Isle Royale National Park.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park (NP) is partnering with the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area (KISMA) to offer free boat washes at marinas and boat launches in Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw Counties this summer.
Official NPS sourceBeginning April 16, 2021, campgrounds, trails, docks and anchorages at Isle Royale National Park will be open, with the exception of the Minong trail, North Desor campground and Little Todd campground. The National Park Service (NPS) Houghton Visitor Center will re-open to the public on April 19.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park announced today plans are being finalized to open the park for visitation this summer and for Ranger III to provide limited public passenger service.
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Minong Mine Copper Mining District, part of Isle Royale National Park, has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL). The designation celebrates the national significance of Indigenous and historic copper mining that occurred at the Minong Mine. Minong is the Ojibwe term for Isle Royale.
Official NPS sourceFollowing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials, and to support the nation's effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, NPS personnel and researchers will not be conducting research on Isle Royale this winter. Researchers from Michigan Technological University, State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the NPS planned to conduct various aspects of ecosystem research this winter as part of a long-term research program and assess the ecological impacts of restoring wolves to the ecosystem.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park now offers one or two-year CUAs in an effort to reduce the administrative burden for commercial operators and NPS staff. Applications are accepted between January 2nd and May 15th, annually.
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In September, a significant journey across Lake Superior from Isle Royale to Grand Portage, Minnesota, took place. The cargo? Five culturally significant woven mats (anaakanan) from the Isle Royale National Park museum collection. The mats, four woven from cedar bark and the fifth made of sweetgrass, are now on long term loan to Grand Portage National Monument.
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Isle Royale National Park and State University of New York-College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) have documented reproduction for wolves introduced to Isle Royale in 2018 and 2019, a key element of the National Park Service wolf introduction program’s success. GPS collar data and images from remote cameras suggest pups were born in 2019 and 2020. An exact number of pups is yet to be determined.
Official NPS sourceIsle Royale National Park is pleased to announce that in partnership with Isle Royale Resorts/Rock Harbor Lodge, fuel sales will continue at Rock Harbor through August 25. Diesel and gasoline will be available from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET daily along with limited sales in the Rock Harbor Trading Post.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Denice Swanke as permanent superintendent of Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, effective August 16.
Official NPS sourceFollowing guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), State of Michigan, and local public health authorities, Isle Royale is increasing recreational access to the park. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Official NPS sourceFollowing guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Safe Start plan, and local public health authorities, Isle Royale is increasing boat access to the park.
Official NPS sourceFollowing guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the State of Michigan, Isle Royale National Park is delaying its seasonal opening until further notice. In addition, the Ranger III, Voyageur II, Sea Hunter III, and Isle Royale Queen IV will not provide visitor ferry transportation this summer. Rock Harbor Lodge, including overnight lodging, dining, marina services, gift shops and stores, will remain closed for the season.
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