Rock Harbor (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rock Harbor, Michigan
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Rock Harbor listed in green on the right side of a map of Isle Royale
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 Rock Harbor
Location in Michigan
Rock Harbor
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Keweenaw |
| Township | Houghton |
| Elevation | 610 ft (190 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49931 (Houghton)
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| GNIS feature ID | 636080 |
Rock Harbor is a very important spot for visitors to Isle Royale. This island is located in northern Lake Superior. Rock Harbor is the main place where people arrive on the island. It is about 4 miles (6.4 km) from the northeast end of Isle Royale. The entire island is protected as Isle Royale National Park.
Two special buildings in Rock Harbor are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Rock Harbor Light (a lighthouse) and the Edisen Fishery. They are important historical sites.
Contents
What is Rock Harbor?
The name Rock Harbor actually refers to a long, narrow bay. This bay stretches for about 11 miles (18 km). It runs from Moskey Basin to Scoville Point along the southern shore of the eastern part of Isle Royale. Many smaller islands protect this bay from the big waves of Lake Superior. One of these islands is Mott Island, where the park headquarters is located.
Getting to Rock Harbor
Visitors can reach Rock Harbor in a few ways.
- From Michigan:
- The Ranger III is a ferry run by the park service. It travels from Houghton, Michigan.
- The Isle Royale Queen IV is another ferry. It leaves from Copper Harbor, Michigan.
- You can also fly to Rock Harbor by seaplane.
- From Minnesota:
- The Voyageur II ferry operates from Grand Portage, Minnesota. This ferry travels all around the island. It stops at different places along the shore, including Ozaagaateng Ranger Station on the west end.
Snug Harbor: A Welcoming Spot
The ferry boats usually land at a place called Snug Harbor. This area has many useful things for visitors:
- It has places for private boats to dock.
- There is a campground where people can stay overnight.
- A visitor center helps people learn about the park.
- There is also a lodge, which is like a hotel. This lodge was built even before Isle Royale became a national park.
Trails and Lodging
Rock Harbor is the starting or ending point for a famous hiking path. This trail is called the Greenstone Ridge Trail. It runs across the island.
Rock Harbor is also known as Rock Harbor Lodge by the Geographic Names Information System. Even though no one lives there all year, it has places for visitors. These include the Rock Harbor Lodge, a restaurant, other resorts, and several boat docks. There are also campgrounds for people who want to camp. Rock Harbor even had its own post office during the summer months from 1924 to 1958.
