Malone Bay Campground

7 sitesReservable & first-comeIn Isle Royale National Park
View of the blue waters of Malone Bay from the shoreline.
Malone Bay Campground is a popular spot on the south shore of the park. · NPS / Paul Brown
Campsites
7
How to get a site
Reservable & first-come
RVs
Not allowed
Fee
Free
Coordinates
47.9852, -88.8072
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47.9852, -88.8072 · Park boundary: National Park Service

Malone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Ishpeming Trail. Boats can overnight at dock. A ranger station, information station, and dock can be found just further east of the campground. The ranger station is not always staffed. Stay Limit: 3 nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually. Shelters: 5 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 3’-6’. Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat

Every day
All Day

The campground is open from April 16 - October 31 (the park operating season) annually, 24 hours a day.

  • Park Closed · Nov 1, 2026 – Apr 15, 2027 · Closed

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

2
Group
7
Walk or boat in
5
Other
2 reservable5 first-come, first-served
Small-party Camping (6 people or less)Free

No fee for small-party camping. A free overnight permit is required.

Group Tent Sites$25

2 Group Sites by advanced reservation only. All parties of 7 or more must submit group permit requests through the park's online request system. The fee is a per permit cost for each party within a group of 7 or more.

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Shelters are first come, first serve. Group tent sites must be reserved in advance.

Drinking water
Water · but not potable
Food storage lockers
Yes - year round
Toilets
Composting Toilets - seasonal
Amphitheater
No
Camp store
No
Cell reception
No
Dump station
No
Firewood for sale
No
Host on site
No
Ice for sale
No
Internet
No
Laundry
No
Showers
None
Trash & recycling
No

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

RVs
Not allowed
Trailers
Not allowed
Access roads
No Roads
Classification
Limited Development Campground
Wheelchair access

No wheelchair access.

ADA facilities

Uneven, rough terrain throughout campground. Facilities are not accessible.

Fires & stoves

Campfire rings are located at each shelter and group tent site. Otherwise, self-contained stoves only.

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Malone Bay Campground is located in Malone Bay, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Ishpeming Trail.

Isle Royale National Park is a remote archipelago in the middle of Lake Superior. To make the most of your visit, it is necessary that you plan ahead and prepare. Be aware that many services and items that are available on the mainland are not available at Isle Royale. Due to the unpredictable waters of Lake Superior and its effect on island weather, be prepared for any and all weather conditions.

All park visitors pay an entrance fee. Campfire rings or standing grills provided. Dogs, cats, and other pets are not allowed. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. EDT/ 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. CDT. Fishing licenses are not required for inland lakes and streams on the island. However, Michigan size, season, and possession limits still apply. Only barbless hooks and artificial lures and flies may be used on inland lakes and streams. A State of Michigan fishing license is required to fish in the waters of Lake Superior.

Malone Bay Campground is located on the south shore of Isle Royale within Malone Bay. The campground can be accessed by the Ishpeming Trail, by private boat, or by ferry. The Ishpeming Trail, north of Malone Bay Campground, is brushy, wild, and involves a beaver dam crossing. This campground includes five shelters and two group tent sites. The campground sits on the rocky shore of Malone Bay. The outer islands and the Isle Royale Lighthouse on Menagerie Island can be viewed in the distance. Siskiwit Lake is located just north of the campground. A creek connects Siskiwit Lake to Lake Superior. This creek is just east of the campground. A ranger station, information station, and dock can be found just further east of the campground. The ranger station is not always staffed.

A shelter sits on the Lake Superior shoreline.
NPS / Val Martin
Trail in a field to two shelters along the forest's edge.
NPS / Val Martin
Address800 E. Lakeshore Drive · Houghton, MI 49931
Official pageOn nps.gov →
Visitor centers in Isle Royale · 3

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