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Isle Royale · December
December is one of the best times to visit Isle Royale — about as busy as November, about as busy as January.
Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 26°F, about 8.4 hours of daylight, and 1 seasonal closure in effect.
Crowd score
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 0% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GRAND PORTAGE, MN US
What's open
Isle Royale National Park is open annually from April 16 to October 31. Transportation services are offered from May to September. The island and its surrounding islands are closed to all visitors from November 1 to April 15 due to extreme winter weather conditions and for the safety and protection of visitors. This closure extends 4.5 miles out into Lake Superior from the island. Park headquarters during the winter is in Houghton, Michigan. Summer headquarters is located at Mott Island on Isle Royale.
Seasonal closures may apply:
Due to increased human-wildlife interactions and food storage concerns, individual tent sites and group sites at Three Mile Campground are currently closed. Tent and hammock camping are not permitted anywhere within the campground. Off-trail camping zones 11, 12, and 33 are closed. Shelters remain open. Food, trash, and scented items must be stored in animal-resistant, hard-sided containers or food storage lockers. Backpacks must be stored in shelters. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Proper food storage is required on Isle Royale. All food, trash, scented items, cooking supplies, cooking utensils, and fish/fish parts must be stored properly. To learn more about food storage and to learn how to properly store your food, trash, and scented items, click "more."
Details on nps.gov →Due to increased human-wildlife interactions and food storage concerns, individual tent sites and group sites at Three Mile Campground are currently closed. Tent and hammock camping are not permitted anywhere within the campground. Off-trail camping zones 11, 12, and 33 are closed. Shelters remain open. Food, trash, and scented items must be stored in animal-resistant, hard-sided containers or food storage lockers. Backpacks must be stored in shelters. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
FAQ
December rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Isle Royale National Park — about 0% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 0.
In December, Isle Royale averages a high of 26°F and a low of 9°F, with about 1.7 inches of precipitation.
Entrance to Isle Royale costs $7 ($7 per person per day to enter or remain in Isle Royale National Park. Children 15 and younger are exempt. Visiting Park Headquarters in Houghton, MI does not require a fee.).
Isle Royale is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
In mid-December, Isle Royale gets about 8.4 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:38 AM and sunset around 4:02 PM.