Passage Island (Michigan) facts for kids
 Passage Island
Location in Michigan
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Superior Isle Royale National Park |
| Coordinates | 48°14′07″N 88°20′59″W / 48.23528°N 88.34972°W |
| Administration | |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Keweenaw County |
| Township | Houghton Township |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Passage Island is a small island located in Lake Superior, one of the Great Lakes. It's part of the United States and belongs to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. This island is special because it's the most northeastern island in the park. It's also the furthest north in Michigan where you can find buildings made by people.
Exploring Passage Island
Passage Island is a quiet, uninhabited place. Even though no one lives there, it has some interesting features. You can find a historic lighthouse called the Passage Island Light. There is also a short trail for hiking.
The U.S. National Park Service offers tours to the island. These tours usually start from Rock Harbor on Isle Royale. It's a great way to see this unique part of the Great Lakes.
Why is it Called Passage Island?
The name "Passage Island" makes a lot of sense. It's named because of its location. Ships traveling to and from Thunder Bay, Ontario often pass by the island. They sail through a gap between Passage Island and Blake Point. Blake Point is on the northeastern tip of Isle Royale.
This gap is about three and a half miles wide. Even though it's wide, sailing through it could be tricky. This was especially true in late fall or early winter. Before modern tools helped guide ships, it was quite dangerous. Sailors on the Great Lakes had a special name for this. They called sailing through this narrow space "threading the needle."
