South Lake Desor Campground

10 sitesReservable & first-comeIn Isle Royale National Park
Aerial view of the blue waters of Lake Desor surrounded by a green hardwood forest.
Lake Desor is the second largest inland lake at Isle Royale National Park. · NPS / Paul Brown
Campsites
10
How to get a site
Reservable & first-come
RVs
Not allowed
Fee
Free
Coordinates
47.9707, -88.9715
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47.9707, -88.9715 · Park boundary: National Park Service

South Lake Desor Campground is located inland on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge Trail. There is no canoe/kayak/boat access. Stay Limit: 2 nights effective from June 1 – Labor Day. Access: Foot

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

7
Tent-only
3
Group
10
Walk or boat in
3 reservable7 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

3 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

Individual tent sites 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
Primitive Camping Areas
Wheelchair access

No wheelchair access.

ADA facilities

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

Fires & stoves

Self-contained stoves only.

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

South Lake Desor Campground is located on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge 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. Self-contained stoves only. 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.

South Lake Desor Campground is located on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge Trail. It is about a 12 mile hike from Windigo to South Lake Desor Campground through a maple sugar forest. A steep trail leads from the Greenstone Ridge Trail to the campground. There are seven backcountry individual tent sites, three group sites and vault toilets. No boat access. No canoe/kayak access. Looking north from the campground lies North Desor Campground and the Minong Ridge Trail. Lake Desor has three islands. Lake Desor is the second largest inland lake in the park. Lake Desor is a relatively shallow lake with a sandy bottom. Loons can often be heard from late spring to late summer.

Soft sunset at South Lake Desor Campground.
NPS / Katie Keller
A tent on a bare patch of ground surrounded by trees at South Desor Campground.
NPS / Katie Keller
Address800 E. Lakeshore Drive · Houghton, MI 49931
Official pageOn nps.gov →
Visitor centers in Isle Royale · 3

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