Houghton Visitor Center
47.1229, -88.5637 · Park boundary: National Park Service
The Houghton Visitor Center is located in Houghton, Michigan. It is the mainland headquarters for Isle Royale National Park. Trip planning assistance, Ranger III tickets and information, a park store, and viewing the park film are available.
- Mon–Fri
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sat
- 10:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sun
- Closed
April 15 - May 24: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm May 26 - September 20: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT, Saturday 10 am - 5 pm EDT September 21 - October 31: Monday-Friday 10:00 am - 4:00pm, Closed Federal Holidays November 1 - April 14: Closed
- Spring Hours · Apr 15, 2027 – May 24, 2027 · Mon–Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM
- Fall Hours · Sep 21, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 · Mon–Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM, Sat–Sun Closed
- Columbus Day · Oct 12, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026 · Closed
- Annual Winter Closure · Nov 1, 2026 – Apr 14, 2027 · Closed
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Houghton Visitor Center is a Passport To Your National Parks stamp location.
The Visitor Center is located on the east end of Lakeshore Dr. in downtown Houghton, MI on the Keewenaw Waterway adjacent to the historic Dee Stadium. If traveling north on US41, turn right on Lakeshore Dr. just as you enter downtown Houghton on Shelden Avenue. The turn is adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce. If traveling north on M26, merge with US41 South. As you leave downtown use the left lane to briefly return to Shelden Ave and US41 North. Then take a right turn on Lakeshore Dr.
The Houghton Visitor Center is located within the Isle Royale National Park Headquarters Complex. The entrance is located off of Lakeshore Drive. The headquarters complex is gated for transportation security, and visitors may only enter when the gate is open. When open, visitors are welcome on foot, bicycle, or in a vehicle. Follow the painted arrows past several maintenance buildings, along the pier where the RANGER III ferry docks, past the visitor center, to the parking lot. Several buildings are marked as administrative offices, and the signed visitor center is located in the center of the paved entryway and parking lot. The visitor center entrance is located by the flag pole. Obtain passes, permits, and information from park rangers. Shop the Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association Store. Watch the park's 25 minute orientation film. During RANGER III passenger ferry operations, the front entrance gate is closed, and vehicle and pedestrian traffic are routed down a paved bike path to a different parking lot access point. When the visitor center is closed, the entrance gates are closed.
Drive to Houghton Visitor Center
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